The dispute between State Senator Rosalind Kurita and the Tennessee Democratic Party was heard in federal court today, but the result of the hearing won't be known until next week.

Arguing on behalf of Kurita was James Bopp Jr. of Indiana, with former State Senator Bob Rochelle sitting second chair, and in opposition was a slew of prominent political attorneys that included George Barrett and Bass Berry & Sims' Brant Phillips.

Kurita filed suit against the party and the state over a decision by the party's state executive committee to strip her of a state-certified, 19-vote win in the Democratic Primary for the 22nd State Senatorial District. Kurita's case centers on a claim that her 14th Amendment right to due process had been denied.

The case was heard today by Judge Robert Echols, who said he would not make a decision until next week.

After the long and tedious hearing adjourned, Kurita said that she felt today's actions resulted in a "fair hearing," but that "No matter what, I don't think this will be the end." She added, "My counsel (Bopp) did a wonderful job in working for the will of the people."

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Gray Sasser said that Kurita's counsel presented "tenuous legal arguments."

"As Judge Echols observed from the bench, it wasn't alleged that she wasn't given a fair hearing," he said.

Sasser also added that it was interesting that her counsel, Bopp, is the attorney of record for 10 different state Republican parties and "arguments he made here today would have them shaking in their boots."

Bopp did at times argue that the process was unfair.