By Larry Peterson , Savannah Now, November 18, 2008

18 Nov 2008 // Saxby Chambliss is resisting an order to give evidence in a lawsuit by families of victims killed or hurt in the Imperial Sugar Co. explosions and fire earlier this year.

The U.S. senator was subpoenaed last month on behalf of four victims - two dead and two injured - of the Feb. 7 Port Wentworth inferno that claimed the lives of 14 workers and hospitalized scores of others.

The conduct of Chambliss concerning the disaster has developed into an issue in his re-election campaign against Democrat Jim Martin. The incumbent outpolled Martin and a third candidate on Nov. 4 but failed to win a majority. Chambliss now faces runner-up Martin in a Dec. 2 runoff.

Savannah attorney Mark Tate, who issued the subpoena, said the Republican lawmaker tried to talk some of Tate's clients out of suing Imperial Sugar.