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Special election to fill Senate vacancy set for November

Karen Carter Peterson resigned on April 8 after 12 years in the State Senate, citing her gambling addiction and depression.

BATON ROUGE, La. — A special election will be held in November to fill a state Senate seat left vacant by the resignation of Karen Carter Peterson. 

Senate President Page Cortez said qualifying will be July 20-22, with the primary election to coincide with congressional elections on Nov. 8 and the runoff, if needed, will be held on Dec. 10. 

The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reports Cortez said he chose that schedule because it gives candidates enough time to decide whether to qualify, and it ensures a good turnout by having the race on the congressional ballot. 

Peterson, first elected to the Louisiana Legislature in 1999, resigned April 8 after 12 years in the Senate to address a nearly 30-year struggle with depression and gambling addiction.

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