TRENTON — An attorney for state Senate candidate Carl Lewis wants to have a crack at questioning Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. In a motion filed today in federal court, attorney William Tambussi requested permission to question Guadagno outside of court and requested all communications between her, Gov. Chris Christie and counsel for the state GOP regarding the former track...
Nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis declares his candidacy for New Jersey State Senate in front of the Mount Holly Courthouse in this April file photo. An attorney for Lewis wants to challenge Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno's ruling that Lewis does not meet residency requirements necessary to run for the Senate.TRENTON — An attorney for state Senate candidate Carl Lewis wants to have a crack at questioning Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.
In a motion filed today in federal court, attorney William Tambussi requested permission to question Guadagno outside of court and requested all communications between her, Gov. Chris Christie and counsel for the state GOP regarding the former track star’s state Senate candidacy.
Guadagno, in her dual role as secretary of state, ruled that Lewis, a nine-time Olympic track and field gold medalist who wants to run for state Senate, should not be allowed to run because he does not meet the state’s four-year residency requirement for that office. Lewis is challenging that decision in federal court.
“We are seeking the deposition of the Secretary of State and any and all communications (written, verbal and electronic) between the Secretary of State, the Governor and Counsel for the Republican Party regarding Lewis’ candidacy,” wrote Tambussi in an e-mail to reporters. “We are also requesting that the Secretary of State provide the factual basis for her conclusion that (a) the voters are not familiar with Lewis, (b) Lewis is not familiar with the voters and the issues, and (c) Lewis is a carpetbagger."
Lewis has claimed that Christie called him shortly before he announced his candidacy to try to dissuade him from running. Christie said that Lewis misinterpreted the conversation.
A spokesman for Guadagno declined to comment.
Previous coverage:
• Carl Lewis advances through uncontested primary for N.J. Senate seat
• 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
• Judge orders Lt. Gov. Guadagno to show why Carl Lewis should be excluded from mail-in ballots
• Lt. Gov. Guadagno rules Carl Lewis doesn't meet residency requirement to run for N.J. Senate