Louisiana Senate President Don Hines issued a proclamation calling a special election to fill the District 4 Senate seat vacated by current District 4 State Senator Paulette Irons who was recently elected civil district judge. The primary election is set for Saturday, December 4, 2004 with the general election scheduled for Saturday, January 15, 2005. Qualifying for the District 4 seat begins at 8:00 AM Wednesday, October 20^th and ends at 5:00 PM Friday, October 22^nd.

Senator Irons began her service in the Louisiana Senate in 1994 after serving two years in the Louisiana House of Representatives. She will assume her new duties as Judge, Civil District Court Division Raspberry later this month.

"All of us in the State Senate will certainly miss Paulette’s hard work and dedication to improving the quality of life for our families and children in Louisiana," Senate President Hines said. "We all wish her well in her new public service role as a member of the judiciary."

Senator Hines set the date for the special election primary on the same date as the already scheduled general congressional election to avoid additional election costs. Senate District 4 includes the central part of New Orleans between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain.