With Virg Bernero's election as Lansing's new mayor on Tuesday, defeating incumbent Tony Benavides, an empty seat will be left by the Democrat in the state Senate.

State Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, said she is looking to fill his spot.

"I think that I have a contribution to make in the state Senate," Whitmer said. "We need to have a strong voice for the people within Ingham County, which includes MSU."

It is not known whether a special election will be held to fill the vacated seat or if it will remain unfilled until the general election in November 2006. Bernero will be sworn in as Lansing's mayor in January.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm would have to declare a special election in order for one to take place.

"That's totally up to the governor," said Stephen Serkaian, transition communications director for Bernero. "It's the governor's decision to have the special election."

The governor's office has not yet decided whether to hold a special election or not, Liz Boyd, Granholm's spokeswoman said.

"We will have really nothing to say on special elections until there is a formal notice saying a vacancy has occurred," Boyd said. "At this point, no decisions have been made."

Whitmer, who was elected to the House in 2000, said she said doesn't know if a special election will take place or not.

"That's the great unknown question," she said. "We should get that seat filled soon.

"If we don't have a special election soon, I think we should be fiscally conservative and have it next fall, but personally, I'd like to see it soon."

East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows said he will run for Whitmer's position whether she is elected to fill Bernero's seat or not, he said. Whitmer's term is up in 2006.

"I've announced a long time ago that I'm running for Gretchen's seat," he said. "If they have a special election, I'll be running for it. I don't expect there to be a special election, though."

Whitmer said she is aware of Meadows' interest in her seat.

"There's a couple of Democrats that are already interested in running," Whitmer said.

"In any event I don't see a special election for my seat, making the assumption that an election is called for the Senate and I win it — there's just not enough time from the beginning of the year until August (for another special election).

"There's a lot of unknown. I don't know what the answers are, myself. We have a strong history of great advocates in the state Senate and I hope to continue that tradition."

Staff writer Kris Turner contributed to this report