(CNN) A federal judge on Thursday set a trial date of Feb. 3, 2020, for the insider trading case in which Rep. Chris Collins, his son and another man are charged with securities fraud, wire fraud and false statements stemming from an alleged scheme centered on an Australian pharmaceutical company.

Collins, a Republican from Western New York state who was the first sitting congressman to back President Donald Trump's bid for the White House, faces re-election next month in a tight race with Democratic challenger Nate McMurray.

The date set by US District Judge Vernon Broderick in Manhattan federal court positions Collins' trial in another congressional election year, when he will again face re-election if he retains his seat in November.

On Thursday, Assistant US Attorney Scott Hartman repeatedly pressed for an earlier trial date, arguing that there is a "strong public interest in seeing this case resolved in 2019."

"This is an important case," Hartman said, adding: "It's not a particularly complex case."

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