California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Friday set the dates for the special election to replace former Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D), who just took a top job at the State Department.

The all-party special primary will take place on Sept. 1. If, as expected, no candidate tops 50 percent of the vote, the top vote-getters from each party will advance to a Nov. 3 runoff.

Democrats are heavily favored to hold Tauscher’s East Bay seat. The top contenders, all Democrats, are Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, state Sen. Mark DeSaulnier and state Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan.