TRENTON — The fate of Carl Lewis’s state Senate candidacy now rests with a federal district court judge. The state Supreme Court on Friday declined to take up an appeal by the Olympic track and field champion, who was scratched from the Democratic ballot by Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. "One down, one to go," said Chris Russell, a Republican...
Nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis is headed to court to battle Republicans who say he hasn't lived in New Jersey long enough to run for state Senate. TRENTON — The fate of Carl Lewis’s state Senate candidacy now rests with a federal district court judge.
The state Supreme Court on Friday declined to take up an appeal by the Olympic track and field champion, who was scratched from the Democratic ballot by Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.
"One down, one to go," said Chris Russell, a Republican campaign consultant from Burlington County.
Acting in her capacity as secretary of state, Guadagno, a Republican, ruled that Lewis did not meet the state’s four-year residency requirement for state Senate candidates.
Russell said the order "vindicates" Guadagno and "completely discredits the baseless claims from Mr. Lewis’ camp that partisan politics played any role in her decision."
Although Lewis has suffered a series of setbacks in his quest to run in the 8th Legislative District, the case is not over. On Thursday, a federal appeals panel ordered both sides back to U.S. District Court in Camden, where Judge Noel L. Hillman had previously dismissed the case.
Now Hillman will take up a different aspect of the case: whether the state’s residency requirement is unconstitutional as applied specifically to Lewis’ candidacy.
For now, Lewis remains on the Democratic primary ballot.
"The constitutional issue is now squarely before the District Court where a full factual record can and will be developed," said William Tambussi, Lewis’ attorney. "In the meantime, the voters of the 8th Legislative District retain the right to vote for the candidate of their choice."
Lewis hopes to unseat state Sen. Dawn Marie Addiego (R-Burlington) in the Republican-leaning district, which includes parts of Burlington, Atlantic and Camden Counties.
Tambussi said said he was considering whether to call Guadagno to testify.
"We would think that the secretary of state would be the witness best in the position to describe the steps taken by the state," he said.
Previous coverage:
• Carl Lewis dealt another blow in N.J. Senate run after state Supreme Court declines to hear appeal
• U.S. appeals court orders that Carl Lewis be placed on N.J. Senate primary ballot
• Federal court to rule on Carl Lewis bid for Senate seat, request to delay printing of ballots
• Carl Lewis turns to federal appeals court in quest to run for N.J. state Senate
• N.J. appeals court agrees Olympic medalist Carl Lewis cannot run for Senate
• Lt. Gov. Guadagno rules Carl Lewis doesn't meet residency requirement to run for N.J. Senate