California officials say county should handle judge's recall

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) - SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Campaign leaders seeking to recall a California judge for his handling of a sexual assault case say state elections officials are siding with them in a legal dispute over the ballot.

They said Tuesday that the California secretary of state supports their position that the recall of Judge Aaron Persky should be managed by Santa Clara County elections officials.

Persky earlier filed a lawsuit arguing that superior court judges are state officers and that their recall should be handled by the state.

Campaign officials have been barred from collecting signatures to put the recall on the June ballot until the matter is resolved. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

Persky was targeted for recall after he sentenced former swimmer Brock Turner to six months in jail for sexual assault.