Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood resigned in August 2008 amid a prolonged legal dispute over the District 1 commission seat.
Ludgood had won a 2007 special election after a judicial panel removed Juan Chastang from office. The panel had concluded that Gov. Bob Riley’s appointment of Chastang violated the Voting Rights Act, but later court action favored Riley’s position.
Resignation followed legal action
After Attorney General Troy King instructed county officials to stop paying Ludgood, she turned in her county vehicle and credit card and left the office. She said she was not claiming a legal right to remain in the position, but did not want the departure characterized as being forced from office.
The report said the vacancy was expected to be temporary, with Chastang seeking to return and Ludgood planning another run for the seat in November.
This account documents the legal and political circumstances reported in August 2008. It does not describe subsequent election results or the current composition of the Mobile County Commission.