How does Louisiana fill a vacant seat when a Senator resigns?

Is a replacement appointed by the governor? If so, does it have to be the same party as the one resigning? Is there a special election?

I can't find the answer online anywhere.

Perhps someone can ask Senator Vitter's office what the rules are?

Contact My Office

Acadiana
800 Lafayette St.,
Suite 1200
Lafayette, LA 70501
Phone: (337) 262-6898
Fax: (337) 262-6373

<snip>

Washington, D.C.
516 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4623
Fax: (202) 228-5061

More:
http://vitter.senate.gov/




See also:

GOP official says Vitter should resign; read senator's statement
Mike Hasten
mhasten@gannett.com

BATON ROUGE – In the wake of U.S. Sen. David Vitter’s apology after his phone number turned up in an escort service's call list, a member of the Republican State Central Committee called for him to resign.

Vincent Bruno of Kenner said today that Vitter should resign “for his own good, the good of the party and the good of his family.” If he doesn’t resign, Vitter should “join the Democratic Party where they think that kind of behavior is OK.”

Bruno said Vitter’s actions violate the Republican Party’s “Family Values” stance but he doesn’t expect the party leadership to do anything about it. “We had David Duke and couldn’t do anything about it.”
“They think more of the party than the right thing to do,” he said. “If they’re not going to enforce family values, they ought to take it out of the vocabulary.

“We’re the party of hypocrites,” he said. “Vote for us and we’ll lie to you, we’ll engage prostitutes and we’ll cheat on our wives.”

More:
http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070710/NEWS01/70710005

That sanctimonious hypocrite will never resign. :mad:

And regarding Bruno's quote in your OP, I love how it was their guy that fucked up, yet he couldn't resist the urge to take a slam on Democrats. "...where they think that kind of behavior is OK." I have something for Mr. Bruno...

First Jefferson, now Vitter. What the heck is it with these guys from Lousiana? No offense to our friends down there, but you really need to elect some different people. But then I guess it was the home of Huey Long. Maybe these two are trying to carry on his "legacy". Now if Senator Landrieu or any of the other representatives get into trouble, then one has to go hmm...

I have lived in four other states in this country; one of them where the Gov. (a democrat) was imprisoned and scandals were constant. All of these states had their crooks. Government draws them. Louisiana is not unique.

Sorry you took it wrong. I have been to New Orleans and had a great time. I hope to return again someday. I was just making obversations. Didn't mean to bash your state.

She knows that in a state this close, even a minor scandal would be the end of her career. As stated below, all places have their share of corrupt politicians.

I am ashamed of us for re-electing Bill Jefferson, though. Corruption aside, he ran attack ads against his opponent Karen Carter because she supported gay marriage.

Unfortunatly we have a history of electing people who get in trouble. It's so incredibly frustrating because people down here are still suffering and our elected officials are making the whole state look bad at a really critical time for us. At first I thought it was a bit funny b/c he's always been so holier than thou. Now it's just disturbing. The only way this could turn into a good thing for Louisiana is if he resigns, and somehow I don't believe that will happen.

Someone said of the Republican presidential candidates: "They may be conservatives but they are certainly not conserving wives". The so called "family values party" is not interested in family values if it concerns their own lives. But let one democratic party member have an extra-marital affair (Bill Clinton), then they will prosecute to the full extent of the non-existent law.

Someone said of the Republican presidential candidates: "They may be conservatives but they are certainly not conserving wives". The so called "family values party" is not interested in family values if it concerns their own lives. But let one democratic party member have an extra-marital affair (Bill Clinton), then they will prosecute to the full extent of the non-existent law.

charges brought?

That might move things along.

I would think he'd resign though.

If remaining term is more than a year Governor makes temporary appointment, with special election to follow. Vitter's term isn't up until 2010, so that would be the procedure.

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=81285

B. If a vacancy occurs in the office of United States senator and the unexpired term is more than one year, an appointment to fill the vacancy shall be temporary. Any senator so appointed shall serve until his successor is elected at a special election and takes office. Within ten days after receiving official notice of the vacancy, the governor shall issue his proclamation for special election to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. The special first primary election shall be held four weeks prior to the dates for special primary elections as provided in R.S. 18:402(E)(1), the special second primary election shall be held on the dates as provided for special primary elections in R.S. 18:402(E)(1), and the special general election shall be held on the dates as provided in R.S. 18:402(E)(3). The dates of the qualifying period shall be established by the governor in accordance with this Part. Immediately after issuance of the proclamation, which shall include the dates of the first and second party primary and general elections and the dates of the qualifying period, the governor shall publish the proclamation in the official journal of each parish in which the election is to be held. Within twenty-four hours after its issuance, the governor shall send a copy of the proclamation to the secretary of state. Within twenty-four hours after he receives the copy, the secretary of state shall notify all election officials having any duty to perform in connection with a special election to fill such vacancy, including the parish boards of election supervisors for the parish or parishes in which the vacancy occurred. The election shall be conducted and the returns shall be certified as in regular elections for United States senator.

C. If a vacancy occurs in the office of United States senator and the unexpired term is one year or less, no special election shall be called by the governor and, if a senator is appointed to fill the vacancy, he shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term, and his successor shall be elected at the next regular election for United States senator.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 38, §1, eff. May 31, 1978; Acts 1980, No. 792, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1981, No. 76, §1, eff. June 26, 1981; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007.

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=81285

The answer can be found in the XVII Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Or was he angling for more power in the state party?

I haven't read that.

What will we tell our children?

Diaper sex? WTF? Really...a new low for republicons...