Judge clears Carl Lewis to run for office; Republicans respond by calling him ‘a carpetbagger’

Republicans who were trying to block Carl Lewis’ run for a New Jersey state senate seat were rebuffed by a judge on Wednesday, who ruled that they failed to prove that Lewis did not reside in the state. Still to come: Donald Trump demanding his birth certificate.

“Petitioners have not met their burden to demonstrate respondent has not attained resident status to seek state Senate office,” the judge wrote in a 10-page ruling issued Wednesday.

Lewis said Wednesday that he was pleased with the judge’s decision and was confident the secretary of state, who’s also the lieutenant governor, would uphold it.

“The voters want to know where the candidates stand on the serious issues facing New Jersey and their visions for the future,” Lewis said. “They’re not interested in partisan sideshows that distract from that important discussion.”

The nine-time Olympic gold medalist, a Democrat, is making his first run for elected office. Republicans claim he has not lived in the state the required four years. Lewis has pointed out that he was, you know, born and raised there.

But don’t worry: In a time of rancorous partisan bickering, New Jersey Republicans are taking the high road.

“Mr. Lewis is the very definition of a carpetbagger who, despite his celebrity status, should have to play by the same rules as everybody else,” GOP spokesman Chris Russell said of the ruling.

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Carl Lewis Senate: Runner Cleared To Seek Office In New Jersey [Huffington Post]