LANSING, Mich. – A judge says a political activist can proceed with efforts to recall Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder over his handling of Flint’s crisis with lead-tainted water.

The Detroit Free Press reported U.S. District Court Judge Judith Levy ruled Thursday that the Michigan Board of State Canvassers arbitrarily rejected Robert Davis’ petition that seeks to recall the Republican from office.

Davis, who spent more than a year in prison after being convicted of embezzling $200,000 from Highland Park schools, sued the board in February.

Snyder spokesman Ari Adler says the governor “is focusing his energy on helping the people of Flint and making sure that the crisis that occurred in Flint can never happen again in Michigan.”

Organizers of another effort to recall Snyder kicked off a petition drive last month.