Carl Lewis is – still – fighting for his right to run for Senate in New Jersey. His lawyer is in the Federal Court of Appeals on the final stretch of a long battle. Th nine-time Olympic gold medalist’s lawyer says voters should decide whether he’s qualified, not any kind of jurisdiction.
His lawyer also says the rule is unconstitutional as it treats Lewis differently from others.
Lewis is trying to get on the ballot for the November election. Last month, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno ordered the Democrat off the ballot. Guadagno said he didn’t meet a four-year state residency requirement.
The courts agreed, issuing this ruling:
“The durational residency requirement applies to all, regardless of economic status, race, creed, color, age, gender, and political affiliation,” wrote U.S. District Court Judge Noel Hillman in his 30-page decision. “And it applies, has been applied, and ought to be applied, equally to the famous and the obscure, to the overachiever and the pedestrian, to the athletically gifted and the passive observer”
But Lewis’ lawyer says Lewis meets the residency requirement. Lewis testified that he has a home in both Medford, NJ and California.
Officials say the ballot must be set by Thursday.
If the judge overturns the earlier ruling, depending on the reasoning, this could have a huge impact on future elections and who is eligible to run.
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