Hearing Set for Ballot Challenge by Miss. Commissioner Dale

A judge has scheduled arguments for April 27 in a court challenge filed by Mississippi Insurance Commissioner George Dale against the Mississippi Democratic Party’s decision to keep him off the Aug. 7 ballot.

Circuit Judge Henry L. Lackey of Calhoun City issued an order setting the date for the hearing.

Dale, who has been insurance commissioner since 1976, was removed from the ballot by the Democratic Party Executive Committee after endorsing Republican President George W. Bush in 2004.

Dale had sued the party and executive committee member Ike Brown.

Lackey issued summons for Democratic Party officials, Brown and members of the state Board of Election Commissioners, who are Gov. Haley Barbour, Secretary of State Eric Clark and Attorney General Jim Hood.

Lackey said tentatively scheduled the hearing for 9 a.m. in the Hinds County courthouse.

Mississippi voters this year are electing all eight statewide officials and a long list of regional and local officials. March 1 was the candidates’ qualifying deadline. Party primaries are Aug. 7 and the general election is Nov. 6.