FRANKFORT — Gov. Steve Beshear set a special election for Dec. 18 to fill the state Senate seat in Southern Kentucky left vacant by the resignation of David Williams, R-Burkesville.

Williams, who had been Senate president since 2000, resigned his 16th Senate District seat last week to accept Beshear's appointment as a circuit judge. The district includes Clinton, Cumberland, McCreary, Monroe, Wayne and Whitley counties.

Party leaders will meet to select their nominees for the election.

Two Republicans — state Rep. Sara Beth Gregory of Monticello and Albany lawyer David Cross — said this week they would seek the Republican nomination for the open seat.

There are two years left on Williams' unexpired Senate term. The district leans strongly Republican.