One Minnesota Supreme Court justice also a Coleman donor

Norm Coleman's legal team has made it obvious they are preparing for an appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court once the three-judge panel currently handling the case rules in Al Franken's favor. But does one of the state's Supreme Court justices have a conflict of interest big enough to make him step away from hearing the case?

Justice Christopher J. Dietzen has twice donated $250 to Coleman's campaign. Justices G. Barry Anderson and Eric Magnuson have already recused themselves because they took part in the state Canvassing Board that handled the recount. That would leave four justices to hear the appeal. MyDD analyzed the political leanings of the justices last week and noted that Dietzen served as a campaign lawyer on Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty's 2002 campaign.

DownWithTyranny did a follow-up post noting that Dietzen also contributed to Coleman's campaign. He donated $250 once in 2001 and again in 2004.

No word yet from Dietzen on the issue, but a comment is likely today on the possibility of him choosing to step away from the case when they are likely to take the case.