Kansas City voters casting ballots in mayoral and city council races next year will also pick a new state lawmaker.
Eighty-one-year-old Democratic state Sen. Yvonne Wilson resigned effective Wednesday. Wilson had announced plans earlier to retire with two years left in her Senate term, saying she wanted to spend more time at home. Wilson also says she believes it's time to let a younger person serve.
Gov. Jay Nixon on Wednesday called a special election to replace Wilson for Feb. 22, the same day as Kansas City's primary election for municipal offices.
Wilson was first elected to the state Senate in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. Previously, she served in the Missouri House after a winning a 1999 special election.
Wilson's 9th Senate District covers part of Kansas City.