Candy took the opportunity to go vacant as well, a state she had perfected as a child.

NEWYORKER: The Visitor

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, trying to resurrect a political career, and Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch traded verbal jabs during spirited exchanges Monday night in their only scheduled debate in the race for the state's vacant 1st Congressional District seat.

NPR: Sanford, Colbert Busch Trade Jabs In SC Debate

The governorship was left vacant when Republican incumbent Judy Martz, the state's first female chief executive, declined to run for re-election following a rocky term, one marred by budget problems and an approval rating that fell to near the 20 percent mark.

CNN: Schweitzer wins Montana governorship

Among other things, the subpoenas asked for a record of every vacant home owned by the companies in the state and asked the firms whether they were aware of drug dealing, prostitution or the presence of explosives and radioactive material in those homes.

FORBES: California AG Sues Fannie, Freddie For Mortgage And Foreclosure Answers

Bill Clinton's name was tossed around as a possible pick to fill his wife's vacant Senate seat after she was selected as secretary of state.

CNN: In post-presidency, Clinton shows no signs of slowing down

Research by the American-Statesman shows that nearly two dozen county and private lockups are now vacant or almost so, as are thousands of bunks in state adult and juvenile prisons.

FORBES: Too Much Success? Texas Reform Leaves Communities On The Hook For Empty Prisons

State Rep. DAVNIE: Many of them are sitting vacant for extended periods of time.

NPR: Legacy of Subprime Lending Hits Midwest Hard

Two conflicting New Jersey state laws about when to hold a special election to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat add complexity.

CNN: Lautenberg leaves tricky political question for Christie

Of course, the company is hoping to garner some local and state relocation incentives from its commitment to move an estimated 150 jobs into 25, 000 square feet of vacant downtown office space for at least seven years.

FORBES: Governor Moonbeam's Tax-Hungry California Swings And Misses, Again