A judge presiding over the theft and tampering case of state Sen. John Huppenthal disqualified himself Thursday.
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Judge Keith Frankel, San Marcos justice of the peace, said he needed to disqualify himself because he lived in Huppenthal’s legislative district, socialized with the Republican senator and worked for an organization for which Huppenthal’s wife was on the board of directors.
Frankel set a trial date of June 25, but another judge he didn’t immediately name will preside over it.
Huppenthal, who represents parts of Chandler, Ahwatukee Foothills and Tempe, was charged in December with misdemeanor counts of theft and tampering with a political sign.
The charges stemmed from a Nov. 4 incident in which he yanked a political sign from in front of a polling place and set it near a trash bin.
