Late Friday, the New Jersey Supreme Court declined to hear Carl Lewis’ claim that the state’s four-year residency requirement violates his constitutional right to run for state Senate. The decision follows Thursday's federal appeals court ruling that permitted his name to be printed on the New Jersey Democratic primary ballot.

But the nine-time Olympic gold winner is not yet clear to run for elective office. A federal district judge still needs to rule on the constitutionality of the state’s residency requirement. Even though Lewis’ name is on the primary ballot, the court could remove him from the general election ballot.

Lewis announced his intention to seek office in New Jersey’s heavily Republican Eighth District on the same day that he registered to vote in the state. Local Republicans challenged his candidacy from the start and Lt. Governor/Secretary Kim Guadagno, also a Republican, ruled in April that Lewis is ineligible.

Photo: Ron Tarver/Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT