Wed Apr 20, 2011 at 08:05:07 PM EDT
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| Nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis has cleared a major hurdle (pun intentional, sorry) in his bid for the LD-8 state Senate seat. Late this afternoon, Administrative Law Judge John Schuster III ruled that the GOP challenge to Lewis' residency requirement be dismissed.
After the ruling, Lewis had this to say:
I am very gratified with today's decision by the administrative law judge. I'm confident that the Lt. Governor will uphold the ruling so that we can devote our full attention to the real issues facing the residents of the Eighth District. The voters want to know where the candidates stand on the serious issues facing New Jersey and their visions for the future. They're not interested in partisan sideshows that distract from that important discussion.
The Republicans contend Lewis fails to meet the state's 4-year residency requirement. They say Lewis voted in California in 2009, paid taxes there (Lewis owns several homes), and maintained a website claiming Los Angeles as home. Lewis grew up in Willingboro and bought a house in Mt. Laurel he says is his residence. |
| Rosi Efthim :: GOP FAIL: Judge dismisses LD-8 residency challenge to Carl Lewis |
| At this point, Judge Schuster's decision will be referred to LG Kim Guadagno, who was also tasked with the responsibilities of Secretary of State by Gov. Christie. Guadagno's decision can be appealed. Schuster ruled the challengers "have not met their burden to demonstrate respondent has not attained resident status to seek State Senate office."
Democrats questioned the constitutionality of the 4-year residency requirement, noting that a federal judge had already ruled the state Constitution's requirement for candidates to live in their legislative district for at least one year violated the U.S. Constitution's Equal Protection Clause. |
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