Juan Chastang facts for kids

Juan H. Chastang, born in 1961 or 1962, is an American politician. He served as a County Commissioner in Mobile County, Alabama. He is well-known for being involved in a significant court case. This case, called Riley vs. Kennedy, was about election and appointment laws in Alabama. It was even decided by the United States Supreme Court.

Becoming a Commissioner

In 2005, the County Commissioner for District 1, Sam Jones, became the Mayor of Mobile. This meant his seat on the County Commission was empty. Governor Bob Riley chose Juan Chastang to fill this open spot. Chastang was an African-American member of the Republican Party. The district he represented had many African-American voters and usually supported the Democratic Party.

Chastang's appointment was a historic moment. It was the first time since the period after the American Civil War (called Reconstruction) that a Black Republican held an elected office in Mobile County. It also meant that the entire elected board in Mobile County was made up of Republicans.

Serving as Commissioner

Juan Chastang's appointment was not welcomed by everyone. The Mobile County Democratic Party and some Black political leaders in the city were critical of it. Three state lawmakers, Yvonne Kennedy, James Buskey, and William Clark, filed a lawsuit. They argued that the governor's choice went against a 1987 law. This law said that special elections should fill empty spots in Mobile County offices. Their main point was that the governor did not have the power to appoint Chastang. They believed his appointment was not valid.

Court Decisions and Changes

In 2007, a federal district court made a decision. The court agreed with Kennedy, Buskey, and Clark. It ruled that Chastang's appointment was not valid. After this ruling, a special election was held to fill the empty seat. In this election, Merceria Ludgood, a Democrat, won by a large number of votes. She defeated Chastang and took the commission seat.

However, in May 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed the case. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Governor Riley. This meant that Chastang's appointment was actually valid. An order was then given to return Chastang to the commission. This ruling happened after the time limit to sign up for the 2008 election had passed. This meant Chastang could not run for re-election that year.

Chastang returned to the commission and served for several months. He then resigned in September 2008. In the November 2008 elections, Merceria Ludgood was again elected to the commission seat.