FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republicans in Kentucky’s 1st Congressional district are expected to nominate James Comer for a special election to replace U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield.
Whitfield is resigning from Congress at 6 p.m. Tuesday. He announced his resignation last week, about one year after announcing he would not seek re-election this year.
Republican Gov. Matt Bevin said he will call a special election for Nov. 8 to elect someone to fulfill the remainder of Whitfield’s term, which expires in January. Rick Grana, the state Republican Party’s 1st District chairman, said he expects Comer will be nominated without opposition.
Comer is already on the Nov. 8 ballot as he seeks a full, two-year term in Congress. He faces Democrat Sam Gaskins, who is also likely to be the Democrats’ nominee for the special election.