COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (WOWO): Amanda Banks, wife of State Senator Jim Banks of Columbia City has announced her run to fill her husband's vacancy in the State Senate while he is in Afghanistan serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve during the 2015 legislative session.

Banks will deploy in September and is expected to return in May of next year. He is unopposed in the election and will stay on the ballot in November.

17th Senate District precinct committeemen will elect a temporary replacement for Banks in a caucus after the general election.