Gov. Rick Perry has announced that May 10 will be the special election date to fill the Texas State Senate District 4 seat, recently vacated by Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands.

Candidates for the special election must file applications with the Secretary of State no later than 5 p.m. March 10. The early voting period begins April 28. The winner will serve the remainder of Williams' term, which expires in 2016.

Williams has held the position on the state Senate since 2003 and served with the state House of Representatives for six years prior to being elected to the seat. He announced his intention to not return for the 2015 legislative session Oct. 3 before officially announcing his resignation Oct. 25 in letters to Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, as well as a message to his constituents.

"I have enjoyed representing you in both the Texas House and Texas Senate, but it's time for me now to move on," he said to his constituents. "I do so filled with extraordinary gratitude for the opportunity, and incredible good fortune I've had to have so many great people working for me. Their support has enabled me to serve my constituents and the State of Texas."

Some candidates announced their intentions to run before Perry set the election date. State representatives Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, and Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, announced their candidacy, while Woodlands Township Director Gordy Bunch also plans to run for the open seat.

The seats of both Toth and Creighton–districts 15 and 16, respectively–are up for re-election next year. The Republican and Democratic primaries for the positions are set for March, with the general elections scheduled for November.

For more information on filing for the position, go to the Secretary of State's website at www.sos.state.tx.us.