Bridges, a 75-year-old judge from Brandon, was one of the longest-serving members of the Court of Appeals when he announced his Dec. 31, 2005 retirement.

Jones County Circuit Court officials said the court’s orders concerning the appointment of the judge have been received. However, no date for the hearings had been set.

“We are just following the rules,” Hudson said. “Right now, we are just waiting on the judge to set up a hearing date.”

According to the state guidelines, the circuit clerk shall issue a summons to the party whose election is contested, returnable to the next term of the court.

Mack, along with the other newly-elected candidates, began their four-year terms earlier this month.