By JIM BUTLER

A special election will be necessary to fill the post of State Senator Mike Reese of Leesville, appointed Tuesday as next president of McNeese State University.

His District 30 includes Southwest Rapides, along with Vernon and precincts in Beauregard and Calcasieu Parishes.

Law requires the Senate president, Cameron Henry,  to call an election within 10 days of receiving notice of resignation for any term with more than six months remaining.

Reese was elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023 to a term ending in December 2027.

Among the decisions he will face in taking the new post is what to do about a campaign finance account of almost $800,000.

State law provides options:

• Return the contributions, though the sheer number of donations from PACs, companies and individuals creates issues with that;
• Parcel it out as charitable donations;
• Give it to other candidates;
• Or keep it for possible future campaigns since it was collected for “future” election, according to his disclosure report.

That report shows he raised $235,000 in 2025 and collected another $23,000 in interest.

He spent $61,000 and, combined with prior year balance, closed 2025 at $780,000.