Carl Lewis’s State Senate Bid Stopped in Its Tracks
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno (R) ruled on Tuesday that Olympic track and field star Carl Lewis doesn’t meet the state’s four-year residency requirement to run for Senate. Republicans had challenged his bid to run against freshman Republican State Sen. Dawn Addiego. Guadagno’s ruling overturns a decision made by an administrative judge last that Lewis should be allowed to appear on the ballot.
“[Lewis] did not yet own his home in New Jersey, did not otherwise live in New Jersey, did not file his taxes in New Jersey, was not registered to vote in New Jersey and did not have his business in New Jersey,” Guadagno said in her decision.
The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that Lewis’s attorney has filed for a restraining order to halt the printing of ballots for the June 7 primary. In addition, he has filed a complaint that the residency requirement violates the U.S. Constitution.
The nine-time Olympic medalist owns two homes in the Garden State. But he’s also planted roots in California where he owns a home, pays taxes and voted in 2009.
(Photo: AP Photo/Rich Schultz, File)