Dan Jordan Out. Carlton Reeves In.
In a pretty surprising turn of events, Judge Dan Jordan has recused himself from the NAACP’s lawsuit on redistricting. This means that Judge Carlton Reeves will now hear the case. For those keeping score at home, Jordan was appointed by George W. Bush, while Reeves was appointed by Barack Obama.
According to Jordan’s letter, he has just learned that a family member will be a candidate in one of the districts subject to the litigation.
Besides administering the oath of office for NAACP officers this past January (as shown in the picture above), Reeves served as the attorney for the Mississippi Democratic Party during redistricting lawsuits in 2000. Also, as Yall Politics points out, his co-counsel in that case was Rob McDuff, the man representing the House Democrats in the current lawsuit.
He ought to recuse himself and I’m sure if he does the NAACP/ Black Caucus will say he had to because of racism.
This will be a disaster for the Republicans. James Graves will probably join Reeves on a three judge federal panel that will end up drawing the district lines. If those two get a chance to draw the lines, the Republicans will be in big trouble. The Republicans would be wise to accept the plan drawn by Billy McCoy and company. It is better than what will be drawn by Reeves and Graves.
Demand that he recuse himself, and appeal if he refuses. He won’t go willingly, so he will have to forced off the case. His conflict is clear enough.