Elected Democrat Chancery Court Judge Russell Perkins, who ordered Robby Starbuck to be placed on the TN-5 Republican primary ballot, denied disqualified candidate and fellow carpetbagger Morgan Ortagus’ motion to be enjoined to his order and be placed on the ballot.
According to court documents, Ortagus filed a motion to be enjoined to Starbuck’s ruling on Tuesday. Her request was promptly denied by Judge Perkins on the same day.
Perkins cited two reasons for his denial. “First, the motion is not accompanied by a ‘verified complaint, affidavit, or other evidence that the movant’s [Ortagus’] rights are being or will be violated,'” he wrote.
“Secondly, and more importantly, the application is untimely and barred by laches,” Perkins wrote; adding that “a party against whom a temporary injunction is sought must have notice and a meaningful opportunity to oppose the application.”
Legal experts say that Perkins likely denied Ortagus’ motion because, now, he realizes the far-reaching consequences of his ruling ordering Starbuck be placed on the ballot.
The Tennessee Star reported earlier in the week that the Tennessee Republican Party appealed to the Court of Appeals of Tennessee at Nashville, asking the Court to for a stay of Judge Perkins’ order and for an emergency hearing on the matter.
Tuesday, the state of Tennessee filed a petition asking the Court of Appeals of Tennessee at Nashville to vacate Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Russell Perkins’ order putting Robby Starbuck on the August 4 Republican primary ballot.
The state of Tennessee and the Secretary of State’s office were ordered by Judge Perkins to place Starbuck on the TN-5 August 4 Republican primary ballot, but they were not named as parties in his lawsuit against the TRP. They also were not given proper notice, according to their petition.
Attorney General Herb Slatery, Deputy Attorney General Kleinfelter, and Solicitor General Andree Blumstein all signed the filing.
The Star additionally was made aware that the Tennessee Republican Party has filed a “reach down” petition with the Tennessee Supreme Court asking them to intervene in the case.
A source told The Star that everything has been filed with both the Tennessee Court of Appeals and the Tennessee Supreme Court and that the parties are now waiting for either court to take further action, which could happen as early as Wednesday.
Read Ortagus’ full motion:
[wonderplugin_pdf src=”https://tennesseestar.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Ortagus-Motion_exhibits-memorandum.pdf” width=”650px” height=”800px” style=”border:0;”]
Read the court’s denial:
[wonderplugin_pdf src=”https://tennesseestar.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Order-Denying-Morgan-Ortagus-Motion-to-Intervene.pdf” width=”650px” height=”800px” style=”border:0;”]
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Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]. Follow Aaron on GETTR, Twitter, and Parler.
Photo “Morgan Ortagus” by Morgan Ortagus, “Robby Starbuck” is by Robby Starbuck, and “Nashville Chancery Court” is by Nashville Chancery Court.
We live in a litigious society. Attorney’s once had the reputation of the most distrusted professions. They were replaced by sleazy politicians (like Clinton, Obama, Biden, big tech and the looney left). Academia continues to fight for the top slot but despite having the majority of local tax revenue they have failed to make a dent only because they can’t keep proper account of the money the have. Clearly the line between self serving political wannabee and legal eagle is being blurred with all of this useless litigation.