Governor Steve Beshear has called for a special election on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 to fill the vacant 82nd House District seat.

The seat became vacant after former state Rep. Dewayne Bunch resigned his position last month as a result of head injuries he obtained while breaking up a fight at Whitley County High School. Bunch, who taught at the school, was left in “extremely critical” condition following the April 12, 2011 altercation.

Regina Bunch, wife to the former representative, has been named by the local Republican Party to be the party’s nominee. Local Democrat officials have stated they currently have no plans to pick a nominee to oppose Bunch.