District 1 State Senate Primary is Aug. 18

Gov. Sarah Sanders has scheduled a special election to fill the vacant District 1 State Senate seat following the resignation of Ben Gilmore. Party primaries will be held on Aug. 18, with a runoff, if needed, on Sept. 15. The special election will take place Nov. 3 alongside the general election. Candidate filing with the Secretary of State opens at noon July 13 and closes at noon July 16, while independent candidates have until Aug. 7 to submit petitions. Two Republicans have already announced campaigns: Laura "Missy" Wardlaw of Bradley County and Cleveland County School Board President Harrell Wilson of Staves.