Governor sets special election date

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Gov. Mary Fallin has set dates for a special election to fill the unexpired term of a state senator from Tulsa who is resigning.

Fallin on Monday issued a proclamation setting the filing period for the special election on Jan. 19-21. If necessary, a special primary election will be on April 7, with a general election on June 9. If a primary isn’t needed, the special general election will be on April 7.

Democratic state Sen. Jabar Shumate announced last week that he was stepping down, effective Tuesday. The 38-year-old from north Tulsa said he was taking a job in the private sector, but declined to discuss details.

Shumate was in the final two years of his term and couldn’t have run again because of term limits.