Montgomery, AL – The U-S- Supreme Court has stayed a lower court's decision in a case involving the validity of Governor Bob Riley's filling a vacant Jefferson County Commission seat by appointment.
A three-judge federal panel ruled in January that Riley needed Justice Department approval before naming retired two-star General George Bowman to the seat vacated by now-Birmingham mayor Larry Langford.
Attorney General Troy King says today's ruling means Bowman will get to keep the seat until the Supreme Court makes a final decision on the case.
Members of the bipartisan Jefferson County election commission contend a local law passed by the Legislature in 1977 requires the calling of a special election to fill any vacancy on the commission.
The law applies only to Jefferson County and critics say it's unconstitutional.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)