Coleman was one of eight justices who heard oral arguments Tuesday in a case brought by House Speaker Philip Gunn, and House Pro Tem Jason White. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality Reeves’ partial right to veto this summer money going to health care providers for COVID-19. Coleman, who was reelected to his Northern District seat last Tuesday, asked questions that seemed favorable to Reeves during the over 60 minutes of oral argument in the case. Beverly Kraft, a spokesperson for the Supreme Court, said that Coleman declined to comment on the case and added: “It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing case.” Reeves, however, did not respond. The Republican governor did have a lot to say about Coleman a few days before the election. It was positive. Reeves supported Coleman’s candidacy on social media just days before the election. Reeves tweeted, “Josiah Coleman in north Mississippi is the true conservative candidate,” on October 26, eight days prior to the election. “Please don’t allow liberals to sneak in one of their judges here. Vote Josiah Coleman.” Reeves was asked at an October news conference if he supported a November ballot proposal that would have removed language from the state’s 1890 Constitution that prohibited African Americans from being elected to political office. Instead of answering the question, the governor encouraged support for Coleman’s reelection campaign. Reeves stated, “I hope all my friends in north Mississippi go to the ballots and elect Justice Coleman.” According to documents filed with the Secretary-of-State’s office, the governor’s Tate PAC contributed $5,000 to his campaign on September 14. According to the Code of Judicial Conduct, judges should be disqualified from any proceeding in which their impartiality could be challenged by a reasonable person who knows all the facts. The Code of Judicial Conduct also states that a party to a lawsuit can seek the removal or recusal of a judge if the opposing party is a significant campaign donor to the judge. Coleman was not asked by the House leadership to resign. In theory, judicial candidates should not know who contributed to their campaigns. Contributions should be sent to a committee that is overseen by a treasurer. Coleman was elected to an eight-year term as Supreme Court Chancellor on Nov. 3, defeating Percy Lynchard Jr. Central District Justice Kenny Griffis faced an election challenge. Although Griffis leads the race against Court of Appeals Judge LatriceWestbrooks, this race has not yet been called. Griffis’ election effort, which Reeves didn’t comment on, is leading in the race against Court of Appeals Judge Latrice Westbrooks. However, that race has not been officially called.