AUSTIN, Texas — Governor Rick Perry announced on Friday that the special election to fill the Texas State Senate District 18 seat, vacated by Comptroller-Elect Glenn Hegar, would be scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 2014. Hegar, a Republican from Katy, had sent a letter to Perry earlier in the day announcing his resignation, to be effective December 5, 2014, as Breitbart Texas reported. Texas law does not allow Hegar to simultaneously serve as Comptroller and retain his seat in the State Senate.

Perry’s announcement also set a deadline for candidates who wish to run for the SD 18 seat to file applications with the Secretary of State no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19, 2014. Early voting will begin on Wednesday, November 26, 2014. 

The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of Hegar’s term, which will expire in 2016.

Photo credit: Glenn Hegar via Facebook.

Follow Sarah Rumpf on Twitter at @rumpfshaker.