AUSTIN (December 13, 2012)--Texas Gov. Rick Perry set a Jan. 26 special election Thursday to fill the state Senate seat held by the late Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston.

Gallegos died of liver disease on Oct. 16, too late to remove his name from the Nov. 6 general election ballot.

He was posthumously elected to another term.

Candidates for the District 6 special election must file by Dec. 27.

Early voting will run from Jan. 9 to Jan. 22.

State Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, has said she will run for the Senate seat.