The scene in the courtroom Friday was, at times, surreal.

At one point, State Rep. Robin Wright-Jones, who is suing State Rep. Connie Johnson for misrepresenting that she does live in the 5th Senatorial District, which they are both seeking to represent in the August 5th primary, took the stand to “play the part” (meaning she was reading the testimony of another witness taken during a previous deposition) of the man who rented the home Johnson claims is her residence.

Johnson listened as Wright-Jones read in the first-person allegations that she slashed the car tires of one of her tenants, then stole a pair of boots, allegedly saying “I am going to have to get gangsta on this girl. She doesn’t know who I am.”

Johnson denies the allegations of William Keys, a firefighter who claims that he rented Johnson’s northside house with an agreement to purchase it with his girlfriend, who also lived there. Johnson has said that the arrangement was actually more of a roommate agreement, with her being able to come and go when not in Jefferson City fulfilling her duties or at another home she owned in Central West End taking care of her ailing mother.

In his deposition, read in court by Wright-Jones, Keys denied that description of the arrangement. “Where would she sleep? There were only two mattresses.” he said.

Further damaging is the fact that the house has been condemned by the city since December or January. According to Susan Block, attorney for Robin Wright-Jones, Representative Johnson just applied for an occupancy permit this month.

Johnson has called Wright-Jones lawsuit a desperate political move. She also points out that Wright-Jones entire case almost completely mirrors the evidence anonymously sent to election officials and several media outlets weeks before she filed her suit.

Wright-Jones denied on the stand that she had any knowledge of that anonymous packet.

More may be at stake for Connie Johnson than just being allowed to stay on the ballot or not. Wright-Jones is also seeking attorney fees and costs, which already total to more than $17,000. The U.S. Attorney’s office also requested a copy of the St. Louis Board of Elections findings and a representative from the Missouri Attorney General’s office was in court Friday monitoring the case.

Friday’s proceedings, which started at 9:30 AM, lasted until 7:30 PM.

Judge Douglas Long of Pulaksi County, the third judge in the case following the recusal of two others because of possible conflicts of interest, has requested additional documents from Wright-Jones’ attorney by midweek. A verdict may be announced by Thursday or Friday.

Facing a lawsuit that could have her name removed from the ballot, state Senate candidate Connie Johnson held a press conference this morning which she used to attack her two opponents and pledge that her name would be cleared of charges that she has not lived in the district she is seeking to represent.

UPDATED: Reporters from the Post-Dispatch, KMOX, and KTVI Channel 2 probed Johnson about why she believes she did nothing wrong by moving out of her legislative district and renting out her home.

Here is Johnson’s complete statement:

Thank you all for coming out this morning.

I have called this press conference because I, like most Americans, am tired of the politics of hit and run. I like most Americans am weary of the politics of distraction and dishonesty. And I like most Americans, believe that elected officials have a responsibility to serve their constituents—not themselves.

From the moment I entered this race my opponents have in one fashion or another panicked. Rodney Hubbard panicked and was able to convince his Right wing Republican Billionaire to kick in 50 more contributions—-1/3 of his total and Robin Wright Jones panicked and filed a frivolous lawsuit in order to bring some light and attention to her struggling year old campaign for this Senate Seat.

For the record I am flattered by their fear and I appreciate their recognition of the impact of my candidacy. However, for the record, I am deeply concerned about their tactics and where these tactics take us as a community and as members of the Democratic Party.

Ten months ago I told the St. Louis Post Dispatch that I would not be part of events that would facilitate the elimination of an African American Senate Seat. Ten months ago I said: “As a statesman I have to look at the big picture and the big picture is the importance of preserving history and having African American representation in the 5th Senatorial district.”

As fate or providence would have it, four days before filing closed, the only white Candidate in contention decided not to run. There was now no danger of our community losing representation. So, I had a decision to make—do I now run for this Senate Seat? Do I run for a seat that has been historically, from Jet Banks to Paula Carter, located in the heart of North Saint Louis?

My decision was an easy one—-of course I would run.

I would run because now I would be able to lay my head down at night knowing that not only would my Community be able to ensure African American Representation, but they would now have the choice of the most qualified, principled and credentialed African American Representation.

My decision to run was founded upon a love of community and a passion to ensure equal representation for all. These belief sets are also shared by the Democratic Party.

My opponents however have pounced upon my filing and attempted to use it as a means of distraction from the serious issues that confront our communities.

Downtown St Louis for the past 6 years under the direction and leadership of realtor Robin Wright Jones and the 63rd district, is in the middle of a real estate crisis—unfilled lofts, bankrupt developers, and a huge muddy empty hole in the middle of Ball park village. I have often wondered as Minority Whip, why Ms Wright Jones was missing so many important votes. I now see that she was quite busy—manufacturing stories and crafting frivolous lawsuits.

My other opponent is busy as well—missing votes, currying favor for the opposition and gathering right wing Republican cash.

Unfortunately, in the world of politics from Baraak Obama to Hillary Clinton, money does represent the bulk of the fuel that goes in to a political campaign. Operating on this political theory, my opponents hope that you will be so distracted by their lies and complaints about when I filed or where I live that their actions will hurt my fundraising efforts.

Well, I am here this morning to say enough. We as Democrats have a responsibility to address our serious issues—-not manufacture, because we need money, political opportunities at the expense of the truth and at the expense of our constituents.

To this end I will have had my Attorney file the necessary motions that will put an end to this frivolous lawsuit filed by my desperate opponent.

Mark my words—I will be vindicated—these lies will not stand and I will be on the ballot in August.

State Rep. Connie Johnson calls the lawsuit filed against her by one of her state senate campaign’s opponents, State Rep. Robin Wright Jones, ”frivolous” and meant to “ignite her struggling campaign.”

Johnson will hold a press conference Monday to discuss her own legal motions to remain on the ballot. Here’s a statement she put out Saturday:

Almost moments after State Representative Connie Johnson JD, MA, filed for the 5th Senatorial District seat, letters filled with accusations questioning her legislative integrity were forwarded to the Board of Election, the press as well as other elected officials.

At the heart of these anonymous politically motivated letters was the false accusation concerning Representative Johnson’s residency. The letters of course, had no return address and were unsigned.

Representative Johnson has always maintained that these letters were politically driven: “I believe that at the end of the day, it will be clear that these letters are a desperate attempt by my opponent to bring some attention to her failing campaign. These are the types of political acts that most Americans have come to reject.”

It has now come to pass that once again Representative Johnson is correct. The mailing of these letters filled with lies, distortions and innuendo have turned out to be connected to a politically motivated act by her 5th Senatorial Seat opponent Robin Wright Jones. While there are no photographs of Wright Jones actually mailing these letters, these letters in effect have her political fingerprints all over them.

Despite the fact that the claims made in these letters are baseless, despite the fact that Representative Johnson will be vindicated and despite the fact that Representative Johnson’s name will be on the ballot, Wright Jones refuses to be deterred. She has now used these letters as a reason to file a lawsuit to remove Representative Johnson from the ballot.

Unfortunately for the constituents of the 5th Senatorial District frivolous, anonymous letters have now given birth to a frivolous lawsuit.

Johnson’s press conference is scheduled for 10:00 AM Monday at 6000 West Florissant Ave.

The third candidate in the race, State Rep. Rodney Hubbard, has not commented on his two opponents’ legal battles. Hubbard is a client of PubDef.net publisher Antonio D. French.

On Thursday, the 25th Ward Democrats voted to endorse Rodney Hubbard for state senate.

The 25th Ward is an open ward organization, meaning its members vote on who the organization will support. All the candidates running for the 5th District seat were invited to speak before the body, but only two, Hubbard and Robin Wright-Jones, appeared.

“I’m proud to have the support of the 25th Ward and also the friendship of Alderwoman Dorothy Kirner, Committeewoman Maggie Lampe, and Committeeman Norman Sutterer,” said Hubbard in a statement on his website.

The 25th Ward is the second southside ward in as many weeks to vote to endorse Hubbard. The 15th Ward voted last week.

All the candidates for the 5th District seat were invited to attend last night’s meeting and address the members, but only two did: Hubbard and State Rep. Robin Wright-Jones. State Rep. Connie Johnson did not attend.

During her speech, Wright-Jones said she was against the residency requirement for police officers. As a real estate agent, she told the southside audience, it is illegal for her to push people to buy homes in certain areas and so she thinks people should be allowed to live where they want. Besides, she said, she doesn’t believe there will be a mad rush to leave the city should all police be allowed to.

The voters of St. Louis voted overwhelmingly on two different occasions in non-binding referendums that they want police officers living in the city.

Wright-Jones also said that while she agrees, in theory, that St. Louis City should have local control of its police department, she said she doesn’t think the city government is ready for that responsibility today.

Hubbard supports local control. He co-sponsored the latest legislation to return local control to St. Louis and as the chairman of the Special Committee on Urban Affairs, he got committee approval for the bill.

“This is just an issue of fairness,” Hubbard said on his website. “Nearly every other city in Missouri has this same power. The people of St. Louis fund the police department — to the tune of one-third of the city’s entire annual budget — and the people who run the department should be selected at the local level.”

But Hubbard also stressed the importance of protecting police pensions. “Police officers do a great service to our city. They are there when we need them and their pensions should always be there when they need it,” said Hubbard.

“I made certain that language was included in the bill to clearly state that the police officers pension fund will not be touched by a change in local control,” his website says.

The 25th Ward includes the Carondelet, Dutchtown and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods.

Full Disclosure: Hubbard is a client of PubDef.net publisher Antonio D. French

A state Senate candidate is seeking to get the name of one of her challengers removed from the ballot.

State Rep. Robin Wright-Jones filed a petition yesterday in the St. Louis City Circuit Court against State Rep. Connie Johnson, claiming that she does not reside in the district in which both are running for state senate.

According to the petition, Wright-Jones “has reason to believe that [Johnson] does not reside at said Tara address, but rather resides at 5848 Maple Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri which is outside the 5th District.”

In addition, the petition outlines several pieces of evidence Wright-Jones says prove Johnson does not live in the 5th District.

Click here to download the full petition.

The third candidate in the Senate race is State Rep. Rodney Hubbard. Hubbard is a client of PubDef.net publisher Antonio D. French.

State Senate candidate Rodney Hubbard had another big fundraiser quarter, raising $85,147 between January 1st and March 31st. After expenditures of $75,000 (which included the return of a total of $60,000 in over-limit campaign contributions), campaign reports show Hubbard with $105,585.60 cash on hand, dwarfing his opponents’ combined campaign coffers.

Rep. Connie Johnson, who is also running for 5th District Senate seat, posted her second Limited Activity Report in a row, reflecting less that $1,000 raised in the last six months.

Rep Tom Villa, who decided not to run for the seat after all, had made a personal loan to his campaign of $165,000. The latest campaign reports shows that money was returned on March 15.

Rep. Robin Wright Jones, who had just $8,527.09 in the bank last quarter, has not yet posted her quarterly report. [UPDATE:  Wright-Jones’ report shows $11,250 raised, and just $8,227 in the bank.]

* Rodney Hubbard is a client of PubDef.net publisher Antonio D. French.

State Rep. Connie Johnson is under investigation by the city Election Board for possibly living outside of her district.

KMOX Radio reported Tuesday that the Missouri Senate candidate met with the Board to discuss allegations Johnson lived outside of the 61st District last year.

In the report Johnson admitted to moving into a house outside of the district last fall to take care of her mother.

“(T)he fourth Commandment said honor thy mother and thy father (if I didn’t do that) everything I did in life would fail,” she told KMOX.

Johnson told KMOX she still owns property in the 61st district and considers it her legal residence. She said she has since moved back to the home.

Johnson is one of three candidates seeking to replace the term-limited Sen. Maida Coleman for the state senate seat. The other two are Rodney Hubbard* and Robin Wright-Jones.

*Hubbard is a client of PubDef.net publisher Antonio D. French.

It’s a preemptive thanks, but no thanks.

State Rep. Connie Johnson sent a letter to Firefighters Local 73 Tuesday stating she would not “seek nor accept” any endorsement from the union due to the “racial discrimination” she has seen in the St. Louis City Fire Department.

Johnson is currently running for the Fifth District Senate seat.

In the letter addressed to Chris Molitor, president of Firefighters Local 73, Johnson writes how she was invited along with other Fifth District candidates to meet with Local 73’s board last week, but did not attend due to her opposition over the department’s behavior surrounding the ousting of embattled Fire Chief Sherman George last year.

She sent the letter to Molitor stating, “In the eyes of most of our St Louis community - particularly the African-American community - the fact that we have a fire department that is essentially segregated is repulsive.”

“And what makes matters even more alarming is the additional fact that we have a Union that defends and even appears to take pride in this segregation. Local 73 cannot escape either responsibility or accountability for this current state, and I cannot and will not ignore my duty to stand and fight against it.”

Johnson wrote that she is a staunch supporter of organized labor but could not support a group that possibly “engineered, the most racially divisive event to occur in this city in years.”

It is unclear if Johnson was ever likely to receive Local 73’s endorsement.

Johnson is one of three candidates seeking to replace the term-limited Sen. Maida Coleman. The other two are Rodney Hubbard* and Robin Wright-Jones.

*Hubbard is a client of PubDef.net publisher Antonio D. French.