Rebecca Johnson will be challenging Linda Belcher for the special election in Bullitt County which became vacant when her husband, Rep. Dan Johnson, died by suicide earlier this month.

Dan Johnson's death came after a news report alleged he had sexually abused a teenage girl at the Fern Creek church where he was a pastor.

Joseph Exton, the vice chair of the Bullitt County Republican Party confirmed to Courier Journal that Rebecca Johnson will be the GOP nominee in the special election.

Related:Rep. Dan Johnson's wife vows 'story of his life is far from over' after suicide

A day after his death, his wife, Rebecca Johnson, said she planned to run for his seat representing the 49th House District. "Dan is gone but the story of his life is far from over," she said in a statement to The Associated Press.

Former state Rep. Linda Belcher, whom Dan Johnson defeated in 2016 to capture the seat, will be running against Rebecca Johnson now, according to a statement from the Bullitt County Democratic Party.

"We believe Linda Belcher will serve the 49th District with integrity and dedication as she did in her previous terms as Representative," the statement said.

Dan Johnson was accused by a woman of molesting her when she was 17 after a New Year’s party in 2012, according to the expose by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting. The story also linked Johnson to arson cases and revealed alcohol offenses at the church.

Who was Dan Johnson?:Take a look at the Kentucky politician and preacher's background

Johnson denied the woman's allegations the day after the report came out, saying they had "no merit."

He died the next day.

Stephen George, executive editor at Louisville Public Media, which includes the investigative reporting center, has stood behind the story, saying it "revealed Johnson’s history of lies and deception."

The special election is set for Feb. 20.

Thomas Novelly: 502-582-4465; tnovelly@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @TomNovelly. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/tomn.