Kentucky To Hold Special Election After Lawmaker Suicide

FRANKFORT, KY — Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin has set a date for the special election to replace Republican state Rep. Dan Johnson whose body was found last week with what a coroner said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Authorities believe Johnson killed himself following sexual assault allegations.

The election will be held Thursday set a Feb. 20. One Republican candidate and one Democratic candidate can be on the special election ballot. The nominees are chosen by their respective political parties.

Johnson was in his first term representing a House district south of Louisville.

Johnson's wife, Rebecca, has said she wants to replace him in the Legislature. Dan Johnson died a day after denying a teenage girl's claims that he sexually assaulted her in 2013.

AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File