MADISON, Wis. -- A jury was selected to hear the case against state Rep. Scott Jensen, R-Waukesha, and a former Republican aide, both accused of using state resources for political campaigns.

The panel of nine women and six men includes three alternates.

Opening statements are scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in the trial, which is expected to last three weeks.

Jensen is charged with three felony counts of misconduct in office for allegedly using state employees to recruit and support fellow Republicans in their campaigns for the Assembly.

Prosecutors said that includes hiring fellow defendant, Assembly aide Sherry Schultz, to work full-time as a fundraiser while on the state payroll.

Jensen also faces one misdemeanor for allegedly using his public position to benefit a campaign committee helping Republican candidates for the Assembly.

The trial was brief delayed Tuesday afternoon when the fire alarm went off.

The Dane County judge had just started giving instructions to the jury for opening statements when a fire alarm went off.

The judge waited a few moments before evacuating the courtroom. The courthouse eventually let people return inside. No word on what caused the alarm.

Earlier during Tuesday's hearing, Jensen's attorney asked the Dane County Judge Steven Ebert to disqualify 28 possible jurors because they expressed a distrust for Republican elected officials or politicians in general.

Defense attorney Stephen Meyer argued that when responding to a questionnaire, the 28 indicated that they had "complete contempt" for Republican elected officials and think "politicians are liars."

Judge Steven Ebert refused to disqualify the 28, saying that he wanted to personally ask them questions about possible bias.

More than 125 potential jurors were being questioned for Jensen's trial.

Jensen is the last of five lawmakers charged in 2002 after media reports detailed allegations that legislators were using their taxpayer-funded staffs to run campaigns and collect political contributions.

The other four -- ex-Democratic state Sens. Brian Burke and Chuck Chvala and former Republican Reps. Foti and Ladwig -- have struck deals with prosecutors to avoid trials.

Foti, once the second-ranking lawmaker in the Assembly, made an agreement and pleaded guilty to corruption charges last month. As part of the agreement, Foti agreed to testify against Jensen.

Burke and Chvala were sentenced to jail time. Former Assistant Assembly Majority Leader Ladwig is expected to pay $4,500 in fines and restitution, WISC-TV reported.