By Associated Press
Fairfield, AL – A Fairfield man has asked a federal court to oust newly appointed Jefferson County Commissioner George Bowman, a retired Army two-star general. Fred Plump is also asking the court to bar Republican Governor Bob Riley, who made the appointment, from interfering with a February 5th election to fill the seat.
Plump's request Wednesday for a preliminary injunction is a continuation of his November 16th lawsuit. The suit says Riley lacks authority to name a replacement to the District 1 seat left vacant when Larry Langford became Birmingham's mayor. The governor named 59-year-old Bowman to the commission on November 21st.
Plump's suit says Riley is trying to enforce procedures the Justice Department hasn't approved under the federal Voting Rights Act.
The suit said the appointment prevents blacks in majority black jurisdictions from electing candidates of their choice.
The motion also seeks to keep Riley from making any new appointment until legal issues are settled.
Riley and the bipartisan Jefferson County Election Commission claim the authority to fill the seat.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)