Superior Court Justice Joseph M. Jabar has recused himself from hearing a case involving the U.S. Senate race because of ties to a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland).

John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party, is appealing a recent decision by the Secretary of State's office to take independent U.S. Senate candidate Herb Hoffman off the ballot. Knutson and the party had challenged the validity of some of the signatures on Hoffman's nominating petitions.

The case is under the jurisdiction of Kennebec County Superior Court, and was originally assigned to Jabar. Walker said Jabar was considering recusing himself from the case because his wife had held a fundraiser for Allen, who is challenging U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor).

Courthouse officials, unable to say why, said Jabar had already declined the case and another judge has yet to be assigned.

Sources say the case will likely be taken up Thursday or Friday. Hoffman said Wednesday that if it does not come out in his favor, he will appeal to the Maine Supreme Court.