Nine-time Olympic champion Carl Lewis has won the Democratic nomination to New Jersey's 8th Senate district. But wrangling continues over his status as a NJ citizen - Republicans filed a complaint in April, alleging that Lewis is not a resident of the state. The track and field star voted in California in 2009, and they point to four-year state residency requirements.
Lewis’ lawyer Bill Tambussi says the Olympian’s primary residence is in Medford, NJ, and that the political residency requirements are both ‘unconstitutional and unenforceable.’
A federal court this month remanded the issue back to a lower court, which allowed Lewis to run uncontested for the Democratic nomination.
"Until that case is heard and adjudicated, he's still on the ballot," said Derek Roseman, a spokesman for Senate Democrats. "As much as we would like to think he'll be able to withstand this, we won't know until the court decides."
If he is allowed to remain, he'll face incumbent Republican Dawn Marie Addiego for NJ's 8th district.
Other winners on Tuesday were Democrat Raymond Leniak in the 20th district and Republican Anthony Bucco, who survived a challenge from William Chegwidden for the 25th district Senate seat. Lesniak made waves for his support for school vouchers, angering the state's teacher's unions.
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