Qualifying for the fall primary begins this week in Tangipahoa, but the City Court Judge’s race is not currently planned on that ballot.
According to documents sent to local election officials last month, a special election to fill the unexpired term of the late Judge Grace Gasaway is expected to be called in the spring of 2022.
The longtime City Court Judge died suddenly on June 17.
State law mandates that when an elected official dies with more than 12 months remaining in the deceased’s unexpired term, a special election must be called to fill the open seat. Typically, the Governor would be asked to choose a gubernatorial or Congressional election date for such a special election to be held; however, the next Congressional elections are scheduled well-beyond that 12-month window.
The Louisiana Supreme Court is expected to announce when the election will be held to fill Gasaway’s open seat.
Local leaders expect a retired judge could be called in to fill the seat during this time. The interim judge would not be eligible to run for the seat in this special election.
