By Sherry Koonce

The News staff writer

An injunction filed by Michael “Shane” Sinegal to keep the Jefferson County Democratic Party from taking his name off the March 4 Primary Election ballot will be heard at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the 58th District Court in Beaumont.

The suit will be heard by Judge Dennis Powell, of Orange County.

Sinegal’s candidacy for the Jefferson County Precinct 3 Commissioner seat was declared invalid after the Jefferson County Democratic Party discovered a clerical error on the petition he turned in when filing for the position.

Sinegal, Port Arthur’s mayor pro tem, said he did not disagree that the error had been made, but took exception with the amount of time it took the party to discover the error and let him know of its existance.

More than a month passed from the time Sinegal submitted the petition on Dec. 3 until party officials determined in late January that his candidacy was not valid because of the error.

Sinegal said during the time lapse he could have submitted another petition, or paid the $1,000 filing fee.

Joe W. Deshotel, executive director with the Jefferson County Democratic Party said he expects a decision to be reached by 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

Contact this reporter at skoonce@panews.com