LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A federal judge has denied the state's motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the redrawn boundaries of an east Arkansas state Senate seat.
U.S. District Judge Leon Holmes on Tuesday denied the motion by Gov. Mike Beebe and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel for summary judgment in the lawsuit filed by Sen. Jack Crumbly. A trial before a three judge panel is scheduled to begin in Helena-West Helena Monday.
The lawsuit filed by Crumbly and other east Arkansas residents claims the new boundaries for the district are discriminatory because they lower the percentage of voting-age blacks.
Crumbly — who is black — is opposed for re-election by state Rep. Keith Ingram — who is white — in the May 22 primary. Holmes denied a similar request by the state in April.
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