Alaska state Sen. Hollis French (D) will remain in charge of the probe into the firing of former state police Commissioner Walt Monegan despite a Republican effort to unseat him from the post.

State Rep. John Coghill (R) had sought to remove French, asserting that the Democrat had made comments implying a “pre-determined” decision in the investigation that centers on Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee.

Democrats alleged that Monegan was dismissed because he failed to fire trooper Mike Wooten, Palin’s former brother-in-law.

Alaska state Sen. Kim Elton (D), who heads the Alaska Legislative Council, which organized the investigation and appointed Hollis to manage the inquiry, denied Coghill’s request Monday in a statement.