Judge Rules That Barbour Wrong in Election Date

Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby Delaughter ruled late today that Gov. Haley Barbour interpreted Mississippi statute incorrectly when he elected to schedule the election to fill Sen. Trent Lott’s vacant seat. Some political watchers believe that Barbour may run for that seat, but is just being inaugurated this week for his second term as governor. Delaughter ruled that the election should be held within 90 days. Delaughter ruled that the election should be held within 90 days of when Barbour declared a proclamation of writ of election on Dec. 20, 2007that is, on or before March 19, 2008.

Barbour released a statement saying he is confident that the Mississippi Supreme Court will back him up and reverse Delaughter:

When I set the special U.S. Senate election for November 4, 2008, I felt very strongly that it was the legal and appropriate action under the U.S. and Mississippi Constitutions and state law. Nothing in this decision by the Hinds County Circuit Court changes that belief. As I have said all along, the final decision in this case will be made by the Mississippi Supreme Court, and I look forward to that decision.