(11/06/06) CARMEL ? The 99th state Assembly race could take on a very different look based on a judge?s pending decision.

Former GOP Assemblyman Willis Stephens dropped out of the race after losing to Greg Ball in the Republican primary. However, Democratic candidate Ken Harper filed a lawsuit to keep Stephens on the ballot for the Independent and Conservative parties. Harper claims Stephens made the decision to drop out too late in the campaign.

According to Ball, the suit is an example of the Democrats trying to win the election in court. Ball says his team will have to work harder to get voters to the polls and inform them that Stevens doesn?t even want to be part of the race. The judge is expected to rule on the matter at some point Monday afternoon.

Related information: Assembly hopeful Harper lied about college degree, rival claims