Arizona Special Elections Dates Set To Replace Trent Franks

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has announced the dates for the upcoming special election to replace U.S. Rep. Trent Franks in Congress.

With the next general election more than six months away, Arizona law requires the governor to call a special election if a seat becomes vacant.

Gov. Ducey said the primary election will be on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, and the general election will be on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

The 8th Congressional District covers much of the northwest part of Maricopa County. It includes Peoria and Surprise.

Voters must register by Monday, Jan. 29, 2018.

Franks officially left office Friday. House Speaker Paul Ryan suggested he resign after accusations he asked female staffers to be surrogates for him and his wife. They had had fertility problems.

In a statement, Franks acknowledged he talked about surrogacy with two women who’d worked in his office, “making each feel uncomfortable.”