 Three additional persons interviewed before January 6 were Representative Robert Aderholt, Revenue Commissioner Julie P. Magee, and Department of Economic and Community Affairs Director Jim Byard.The total number of interviews was 20 (which represented the limit the Governor would go).In January 2017, Governor Bentley announced the special election for the remainder of Sessions' term would not take place until 2018, giving the prospective new appointee a year of incumbency; the election was ultimately held in December 2017.