Augusta area Republicans and Democrats will likely meet in the coming weeks to select candidates to run for the vacant House District 86 seat, which covers most of the city west of the Kennebec River.

The seat is vacant following the resignation of Rep. Justin Fecteau, an Augusta Republican who resigned on July 4 because a new job required him to move outside of his district, according to a letter submitted to the House Speaker’s Office.

Earlier this week, the Maine House Democratic Campaign Committee announced that Augusta city councilor Raegan LaRochelle is seeking her party’s nomination for the seat. A first-term council member, LaRochelle is a Cony High School graduate and owner of two Augusta-based businesses. Sean Smith, campaign director for the Maine House Democratic Campaign Committee, said Thursday that he expects a caucus date to be set in the next few days.

Jason Savage, executive director of the Maine Republican Party, did not respond to an email seeking comment on whether the GOP has a nominee or has scheduled a caucus.

The candidate filing deadline is 5 p.m. on Sept. 1, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. The special election is Nov. 2. The winner will serve the remainder of Fecteau’s term and would be up for re-election in November 2022 when all 186 legislative seats are on the ballot.