Gov. Kay Ivey wasted little time in taking steps to restore some trust in state government Tuesday when she set a special election for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Jeff Sessions prior to being tapped as President Donald Trump’s attorney general.

Making the announcement, Ivey set the dates as Aug. 15 for the primary and, if needed, a Sept. 26 runoff.

The general election will be held Dec. 12. The seat expires in just more than two years and will require a regular election in 2020.

Former Gov. Robert Bentley had named then-Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange to the Senate seat vacated by Sessions. Bentley declined to call a special election in 2017, citing the cost, and said the special election would be held with the regularly scheduled 2018 elections.

Bentley’s appointment of Strange was wrong. It set off a wave of angry objections from lawmakers from both parties and Alabama voters — many who were waiting for Strange to report on his ongoing investigation of Bentley.

Strange’s appointment was likely the beginning of the end for Bentley, whose odd behavior since an affair with his former adviser Rebekah Caldwell Mason became public to the point of increasing concern and ultimately legal action.

And, we join the chorus stating Strange should have never accepted the Senate appointment due to the perceived possible conflict of interest it created.

Ivey, a veteran of Alabama politics, is left to lead the clean-up of an awful chapter in Alabama politics. Now a week on the job, she is sending the right message.

“I promised to steady our ship of state. This means following the law, which clearly states the people should vote for a replacement U.S. Senator as soon as possible,” Ivey said in a written statement Tuesday. “The new U.S. Senate special election dates this year are a victory for the rule of law.”

Strange has already said he will be in the race for the seat he occupies today. So be it. He will come into the race with damaged credibility for accepting an appointment during the Bentley investigation.

With Ivey’s spirited move to undo the Bentley legacy, the people of Alabama will have the opportunity they deserve to hear from several candidates before going to the polls.

The Senate position comes with tremendous responsibility. It should be held by someone with a high sense of public service, knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution, and an unwavering respect for the state citizenry.

In setting the election this year, Ivey has taken an important step in rebuilding the public trust and opening the door to an era of more effective government for Alabama.

Although we are not thrilled with the additional costs associated with a special election, we applaud the governor for her action to follow the law.