SCOTUS Rules In Riley's Favor

BREAKING NEWS:

1:00 p.m.
“The Supreme Court’s decision is a landmark victory not only for the state of Alabama but also for state sovereignty more generally. Governor Riley made the commission appointment because that is precisely what state law, as definitely interpreted by the Alabama Supreme Court, required him to do. In its opinion, the United States Supreme Court emphasized that the challengers’ position would usher in an impermissible ‘interference with a state supreme court’s ability to determine the content of state law.’ That result, the nation’s highest court correctly concluded, would be irreconcilable with both common sense and the principles underlying the system of government the Founding Fathers chose when they adopted the Constitution.

“There is no question that the Governor has the legal authority and responsibility to fill vacancies on the Mobile County Commission. Now, the Governor will confer with his legal staff to determine the impact this Supreme Court ruling has on the current Mobile County Commission.”

- Jeff Emerson, communications director for Governor Bob Riley

12:52 p.m.
- Click here to listen to our raw interview with County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood.
WKRG.com Video

10:58 a.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court has ruled for Alabama's governor in a dispute over his attempt to fill a Mobile County Commission vacancy with a fellow Republican appointee.

In a 7-2 ruling Tuesday, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg says Gov. Bob Riley did not need advance approval from the federal government to fill the vacancy.

The case involves a provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that requires Alabama and several other states - most of them in the South - to get federal approval before changing election procedures that affect minority voters.

Ginsburg says the issue in this case is a narrow one that does not have broader application to voting rights disputes.

The case stems back to 2005 when Sam Jones won the mayor's race, leaving an open seat on the county commission. Riley appointed Juan Chastang, a Republican, to fill the District One Seat, which is a heavily democratic district.

A three judge panel in Montgomery removed Chastang in May of last year. He then lost a special election to democratic candidate Merceria Ludgood.

News 5 has a crew following this Breaking News story. Tonight on News 5 at 5:00 and 6:00, we'll let you know how today's ruling effects the makeup of the county commission and whether Chastang will get his seat back.

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