Austin, Texas ? A new judge was selected to preside over Rep. Tom DeLay’s conspiracy and money laundering trial Thursday, 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 Dist. Atty. 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 could invite yet another challenge.

State documents examined by The Associated Press show that Jefferson’s 2002 campaign treasurer, Bill Ceverha, also was the treasurer of DeLay’s Texans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee. Ceverha was a defendant this spring in a civil trial brought by Democrats who lost state legislative races to Republicans in 2002.

Attorneys on both sides in DeLay’s case have argued that political contributions by judges have harmed at least the appearance of impartiality. But in a state where judges are elected and free to contribute to candidates and political parties, it could be a challenge to find a judge who meets both sides’ definition of impartial.

Prosecutors believe Schraub to be “completely fair and impartial, with a sterling reputation of honesty and integrity,” Earle wrote.

DeLay is charged with illegally funneling corporate campaign contributions to Republican candidates for the 2002 legislative races.