Louisiana Senate President John A. Alario, Jr. plans to call the election to fill the District 26 seat currently held by Senator Jonathan “JP” Perry to coincide with the already scheduled statewide elections this fall. Sen. Perry was elected to fill a vacant seat on the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit when he was the only candidate to qualify for the position last week. He has informed the Senate President he intends to resign December 9, 2018 before officially moving to the bench January 1, 2019. 
 
            “I am very pleased that we will be able to avoid the costs of a special election by scheduling the election at the same time as the 2018 statewide elections,” Senate President Alario said. “It will also allow for a seamless transition for the constituents of Senate District 26 and their representation in the Louisiana Senate.” 
 
            The general election is scheduled for November 6, 2018 with the runoff, if needed, set for December 8, 2018. Qualifying for the election will be August 8th, 9th and 10th. 
 
            Sen. Perry came to the Louisiana Senate in March, 2011 after winning a special election for the seat. Senate District 26 includes parts of Acadia, Lafayette and St. Landry parishes and all of Vermilion Parish.