Special election set for Southwest Iowa

Democrats and Republicans in far southwest Iowa will meet next Tuesday to name the candidates who’ll run for a vacant state Senate seat. Former Republican state senator Darrel McLaren of Farragut is now the state executive director of the Farm Service Agency. He was appointed to the position by President Bush, and resigned from the state senate effective Thursday. McLaren says district conventions will be held next Tuesday to nominate candidates from each party to replace him, then there’ll be a special election on June 12. McLaren says with his current position, he can’t endorse any candidate for the post. McLaren believes his seat must be filled before lawmakers may return for a special session this summer.