FRANKFORT, Ky. — A replacement for Rep. Dan Johnson as the state representative in the 49th House District will be elected at a special election likely to be held in February.

Johnson killed himself Wednesday, a day after saying he would not resign over sexual abuse allegations made against him.

The Kentucky General Assembly is not in session now, and when it is not in session Kentucky law empowers the governor to issue an order setting the date of a special election to fill the remainder of the term for a vacant legislative seat.

The law requires that the election date be set at least 56 days from the date of the the governor's order, said Bradford Queen, spokesman for the Kentucky Secretary of State's office. So, if Gov. Matt Bevin issues the ordert within the next few days, the election would likely be held in early to mid-February.

More:Rep. Dan Johnson's wife, Rebecca, wants to run for his Kentucky House seat

Background:Rep. Dan Johnson kills himself days after being accused of sexual abuse

If the governor does not act until the General Assembly convenes in regular session on Jan. 2 (or before then in a special session), the authority to set the election date transfers to "the presiding officer" of the Kentucky House. That would be House Speaker Pro Tem David Osborne, R-Prospect.

The executive committees of the Republican and Democratic parties of Bullitt County select their candidates for the special election. The law requires them to make their selections at least 49 days before the election date, Queen said.

Other party candidates or independents can have their names placed on the special election ballot by presenting a petition signed by at least 100 voters in the 49th House District to the Kentucky secretary of state, Queen said.

The special election will be for the rest of Johnson's term, which ends at the end of 2018.

Johnson’s widow, Rebecca Johnson, said Thursday she will seek to replace him in the Kentucky House.

All 100 House seats are up for election in 2018, with winners beginning new two-year terms in January 2019.

Republican Jennifer Baird Faith, 42, a middle school social studies teacher from Shepherdsville, is the only candidate of either party who has so far filed to run for the 49th House District seat next year. The deadline for filing as a candidate in the regular 2018 elections is Jan. 30.

Tom Loftus: 502-582-4257; tloftus@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @TomLoftus_CJ. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/toml.

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