Louisiana Senate President Don Hines issued a proclamation calling a special election to fill the District 15 Senate seat vacated by current District 15 State Senator Kip Holden, who was recently elected mayor-president of Baton Rouge. The primary election is set for Saturday, January15, 2005, with the general election scheduled for Saturday, February 12, 2005. Qualifying for the District 15 seat begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday, December 1, and ends at 5 p.m. Friday, December 3.

Senator Holden began his service in the Louisiana Senate in 2002, when he won a special election to replace Wilson Fields, now a 19th Judicial District Judge. Prior to that, Senator Holden served 14 years in the Louisiana House of Representatives. He will assume his new duties as mayor-president in January.

"Kip’s dedication to his constituents and their concerns will be hard to replace in the Senate, but it’s those same qualities that will make him an exceptional mayor. We wish him well," Senate President Hines said.

Senator Hines set the date for the special election primary on the same date as an already scheduled proposition election to avoid additional election costs. It is also the date of the general election, if needed, to fill the unexpired term in State Senate District 4, vacated by Paulette Irons.

Senate District 15 includes most of the northwestern portion of East Baton Rouge Parish, including Baker and Zachary.