State Rep. Connie Johnson will get yet another judge in the case to decide whether she can stay on the ballot.
Johnson is fending off a lawsuit from State Rep. Robin Wright-Jones — one of two Democrats running against her for the 5th District Senate seat — alleging that Johnson does not live within the boundaries of the district.
Because of the obvious political nature of the dispute, it’s been difficult to find a judge - already, judges Edward Sweeney and Timothy Wilson have stepped aside.
At a hearing last week, a third judge, Mark Neill, indicated he would stay on the case, despite a potential conflict of his own - his brother, Joseph, was on the host committee of a March fundraiser for Wright-Jones.
But Judge Neill has apparently shifted his decision.
The city circuit court’s chief judge, Thomas Grady, confirmed today that Neill has since recused himself. Per a request from Grady, the State Supreme Court has tapped a retired Pulaski County judge, Douglas Long, to hear the case.
No word on whether the hearing scheduled for Friday is still on track.