Judge Tosses Artur Davis’ Suit Against Alabama Democrats

Former Democratic congressman from Alabama Artur Davis speaks at the 2012 Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. (Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Posted November 18, 2015 at 7:06pm

An Alabama judge has dismissed the suit former Rep. Artur Davis filed against the Yellowhammer State’s Democratic infrastructure, finding that party leaders are justified in keeping the Democrat-turned-Republican from rejoining the party.

“The Board is well within its discretion to conclude that allowing a prodigal son to run against a Democratic stalwart is not beneficial to the party,” Hobbs ruled Tuesday, denying Davis’ petition for relief from those who’ve blocked his return into the Democratic fold.

Artur Davis Ruling

Davis has campaigned to rejoin the party after switching sides in 2012. His high-profile defection earned him a speaking gig at that summer’s Republican National Convention, as well as the scorn of hometown peers.

The four-term politician last week told CQ Roll Call his plan to challenge incumbent Montgomery County Commissioner Dan Harris was being undermined by Alabama power broker Joe Reed, whom he blames for an unsuccessful attempt at convincing state officials to relax restrictions barring candidates who’ve supported opposing parties from recrossing party lines.

Hobbs didn’t buy it.

“While Reed and Davis may be rivals, Reed does not sit on the Board and there was no testimony that Reed influenced the outcome. Instead, the more persuasive testimony is that the Board voted independently, and was disappointed and unsatisfied with Davis’ presentation,” Hobbs stated in his ruling.

Davis said last week should he lose this round he planned to appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court.