Kurita vs. Dems showdown set

State senator ousted by Democratic Party will have her day in court

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

Rosalind Kurita

State Sen. Rosalind Kurita's battle against the Tennessee Democratic Party's executive committee is now headed to federal court.

United States District Judge Robert L. Echols has granted a motion by Kurita's legal team to hear her case on Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. Kurita has charged the party with violating her Fourteenth Ammendment rights by stripping her of her designation as winner of the Democratic Primary for the 22nd State Senate District.

When notifying the media of the ruling, Kurita attorney Jim Bopp broke down the legalese and told reporters simply, "The Motions to Expedite and Consolidate are granted. So the Oct 10th hearing will be the final trial on the merits."

To read a copy of Echols' order, click here. To read a transcript of the hearing that set this whole lawsuit in motion – also known as the Sept. 13 meeting of the Tennessee Democratic Party's executive committee that voided Kurita's 19 vote primary win – click here.