AUSTIN — A new judge was selected to preside over Rep. Tom DeLay's conspiracy and money laundering trial today, after another judge became the second to step away from involvement in the case because of political contributions he has made.

Administrative Judge B.B. Schraub, a Republican who was to have selected the judge for the case, withdrew after Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle filed a request to have him removed. Two days earlier, District Judge Bob Perkins was removed from the case at DeLay's request because of his contributions to Democrats.

Schraub asked Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson to name a judge to preside over DeLay's trial, and Jefferson selected semi-retired Senior Judge Pat Priest of San Antonio. Jefferson's involvement, however, could invite yet another challenge.

Jefferson was endorsed by the DeLay-founded Texans for a Republican Majority in 2002.

The Jefferson endorsement news release listed DeLay co-defendant John Colyandro as a contact for the news media. Jefferson also in 2002 actively campaigned with Texans for a Republican Majority, or TRMPAC.

One campaign trip Jefferson made on behalf of TRMPAC used an airplane provided by San Antonio lawyer James Jonas, who is law partners with another DeLay co-defendant, Jim Ellis.

Jefferson also shared a campaign treasurer with TRMPAC, Bill Ceverha of Dallas. Also, Bill Ceverha of Dallas in 2002 was the campaign treasurer for both TRMPAC and Jefferson's election campaign.

DeLay, Ellis and Colyandro are accused of conspiracy to violate state elections laws, money laundering and conspiracy to money launder in connection to how TRMPAC spent corporate money in the 2002 Texas House elections.

DeLay attorney Dick DeGuerin had said earlier that Jefferson's connections to TRMPAC should not matter because his job of picking a new judge for the case is just administrative.

``What you've got to do is look at the judge he appoints'' for potential bias, DeGuerin said.

The case landed in Jefferson's lap two days after DeLay's lawyers got the trial judge removed from the case because donations he had made to Democratic groups gave him the appearance of bias.

Earle had challenged Schraub because of his donations to Republicans, particularly to Gov. Rick Perry.

Earle noted that Perry called the special legislative sessions in 2003 that allowed DeLay to push through congressional redistricting. Earle cited $1,500 in donations that Schraub gave to Perry in 2000 and 2001 and said Schraub is up for a reappointment from Perry next January.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

r.g.ratcliffe@chron.com

Commentary:
I'm reminded of a lesbian friend who judge-shopped for a liberal judge so she could adopt her foster child. It's kinda sad that we have to look for judges who follow the law and put aside their self-righteous religious beliefs. In my state we don't have any laws banning gay adoption but we have activist conservative judges who deny gay adoptions -every single one of them.

In this case, DeLay too is judge shopping. He wants a judge who will throw out every piece of incriminating evidence - thus making it impossible for a guilty verdict. Shame on Texas for allowing their judges to be as corrupt as the judges in my state.