By By Kerry Whipple Bean – publisher
Gov. Bob Riley on Thursday set a date for a special election to fill the seat of late District 22 Sen. Pat Lindsey, who died earlier this month.
Candidates must qualify to run for the seat by 5 p.m. Feb. 17, and party primaries will be held on Tuesday, April 14. Primary runoffs, if necessary, will be held Tuesday, June 2.
If no runoffs are necessary, the general election will be held June 2. If there is a runoff, the general election will be held July 21.
Brewton's Danny Joyner, a Republican, has announced he will run for the seat, and on Friday state Rep. Marc Keahey, D-Grove Hill, also announced he will seek Lindsey's seat.
But because of U.S. Justice Department requirements in setting the special election dates, District 22 - which includes all of Escambia County - will not have Senate representation when the Legislature meets next month.
The governor's office said Justice Department requirements include allowing enough time between elections so that all votes, particularly absentee ballots from overseas military personnel, can be cast and counted.
The special election will fill the seat for the remainder of Lindsey's term, which ends in November 2010.
Joyner, a former police officer, announced his intention to run for office shortly after Lindsey died.
Joyner has said economic development is among his top priorities.
Keahey said he has been endorsed by Lindsey's children, Lori and Patrick.
Other candidates thought to be considering a run for the District 22 seat include former state Rep. Greg Albritton, R-Evergreen, and Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day, a Republican.
John McMillan - Lindsey's opponent in 2006 - has said he will not seek the seat in the special election.