FARMINGTON -- The dates have been set for Democrats and Republicans in Farmington to select their candidates for a special election to fill the House District 89 seat.

Janet Mills of Farmington, who has held that seat for three terms and was re-elected in November, was elected by the Legislature as Maine's newest, and first woman, attorney general.

District 89 includes Farming-ton and Industry.

Democrats from both towns are scheduled to meet at 3 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009, in the North Dining Hall at the University of Maine at Farmington.

Republicans from Farming-ton only plan to meet at 7 p.m. today, also in the North Dining Hall at UMF.

Democratic, Green and Republican committees in District 89 are to nominate their candidates for the seat and submit the paperwork to the secretary of state's office by 5 p.m. Jan. 5.

Industry Republicans will not be able to participate in this special caucus because they did not hold a biennial caucus earlier this year to reorganize.

According to Mark Ellis, state chairman of the Maine Republican Party, provisions in the rules would have allowed them to reorganize.

"However, given the short time frame, that is unlikely to happen," Ellis said.

Anyone interested in running but choosing to run as an independent candidate needs to collect 50 signatures from registered voters and turn them in to the Secretary of State's Office by the same deadline. To get the proper forms, call the elections division at 624-7736.

Special elections will occur in each town on Feb. 3, 2009.

Locally, the names that will appear on the February ballot will be selected initially through caucuses, or small committee meetings, at which those in attendance vote for candidates competing for their party's nomination.

Nominations are made from the floor. Candidates then make brief speeches, followed by comments or questions from the audience. Voting can occur by secret ballot, a show of hands or voice.

Republican Lance Harvell, 45, of Farmington, who works at Verso Paper Co. in Jay, is the only member of his party who has declared openly his interest in running.

Two Democrats from Farmington also have stepped forward -- Dennis Haszko, 41, a patent agent with Eaton Peabody Patent Group in Augusta; and Jeremy Smith, 32, an art teacher at Maranacook Community School in Readfield.

Farmington Town Clerk Leann Pinkham said voter registration is not required at special-election caucuses, and candidates can be selected informally by those attending the meeting.

Betty Jespersen -- 778-6991

bjespersen@centralmaine.com