How's this vacant seat looking?

[malaise]

http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/report-kentucky-rep-whitfield-resign-amid-ethics-investigation
<snip>
Kentucky Rep. Edward Whitfield said Wednesday that he will resign from Congress next week. The disclosure, made in a letter to Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, comes almost a year after the Republican announced he would retire in the face of a House investigation into ethics violations.

His resignation will be effective Sept. 6, the day the House returns from its summer recess, according to his Aug. 29 letter. Whitfield's office said he would announce his future plans in the next 30 days.

Bevin, a Republican, said Wednesday he would call a special election to be held the same time as the Nov. 8 general election. Republican James Comer and Democrat Sam Gaskins are running for the seat.

Whitfield's move would allow his successor in the 1st Congressional District to gain seniority over other newly elected representatives and to serve during a post-election "lame duck" session.

In July, the House Ethics Committee concluded unanimously that Whitfield "failed to prohibit lobbying contacts between his staff and his wife."

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Why is it a special election and not just a regular election?

[getting old in mke]

1. Because

The winner will take the empty seat immediately instead of waiting until January.