Sparks Gone in Strayhorn's Suit

Really this story should be more of headline writing contest. From Quorum Report:

Independent gubernatorial candidate Carole Strayhorn is currently suing Secretary of State Roger Williams in federal court over his stated intention to take up to two months to verify her petition signatures. Strayhorn's suit says there are ample legal means to do the verification expeditiously.

However, this morning federal district Judge Sam Sparks recused himself from the lawsuit because both he and his wife had signed the petition to place Strayhorn on the ballot.

He wrote, "Carole Keeton Strayhorn and the undersigned [Judge Sam Sparks] have been life-long friends. It is a matter of public record the undersigned and his wife [Melinda have long supported Carole Keeton Strayhorn in her political endeavors and have signed her petition to be an independent candidate on the ballot for the governor’s race in the upcoming election. For these reasons and to avoid any appearance of impropriety the undersigned [Judge Sparks] recuses himself in this case.”