Associated Press - June 4, 2009 5:44 AM ET

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The president of the Louisiana Senate has set an August special election date to fill a seat that will soon be vacant.

President Joel Chaisson, a Destrehan Democrat, set the Aug. 1 primary to replace Sen. Reggie Dupre, a Democrat from Houma. If necessary, a runoff will be held Aug. 29.

Dupre is giving up his seat to become director of the Terrebonne Levee District. His resignation will take effect after the ongoing legislative session finishes on June 25.

Dupre's Senate district covers parts of Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes.

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