Gov. Bill Lee calls for special election to replace late Rep. Mike Carter

June 2, 2021 at 1:29 p.m. | Updated June 2, 2021 at 4:11 p.m.

by Sarah Grace Taylor , Andy Sher

Staff photo by Troy Stolt / Tennessee State Representative Mike Carter and his wife Joan sit for a portrait on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 in Ooltewah, Tenn. While Carter was in the ICU battling COVID-19, Joan, who had also contracted the virus but was asymptomatic was at home, and unable to be in Carter's room, "Not having any human touch, that was incredibly difficult. When I got home from the hospital, I had to make sure my hand was touching hers as much as possible."
Staff photo by Troy Stolt / Tennessee State Representative Mike Carter and his wife Joan sit for a portrait on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 in Ooltewah, Tenn. While Carter was in the ICU battling COVID-19, Joan, who had also contracted the virus but was asymptomatic was at home, and unable to be in Carter's room, "Not having any human touch, that was incredibly difficult. When I got home from the hospital, I had to make sure my hand was touching hers as much as possible."

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced on Wednesday a special election for a local state representative seat, allowing the community to select a replacement for the late Rep. Mike Carter.

Carter, R-Ooltewah, died last month at age 67 of pancreatic cancer, creating a vacancy in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Per a writ of election signed Tuesday by Lee, Carter's replacement will be determined in a September special election.

Hamilton County Administrator of Elections Scott Allen told the Times Fire Press that the office had received notice of the election for the District 29 seat early Wednesday.

(Read more: Tennessee Rep. Mike Carter, 67, dies following battle with pancreatic cancer)

He said the primary election is scheduled for July 27 and the general for Sept. 14. Candidates can pick up petitions now, and the qualifying deadline is noon on June 17.

Early voting times and locations will be decided at the Election Commission meeting on June 9.

Previously, some members of the Hamilton County Commission, who locally govern the area represented by Carter and have the authority to name an interim replacement for the seat until the election is held, proposed appointing Carter's widow, Joan Carter, to the seat.

(Read more: Hamilton County Commission considers appointing widow as replacement for Rep. Mike Carter)

They are set to vote on her appointment on June 9.

This is a developing story.

Staff writer Andy Sher contributed to this report.

Contact Sarah Grace Taylor at staylor@timesfreepress.com.

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