Carl Lewis ballot battle back in Philadelphia’s 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals

Members of the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals again are considering a former athlete’s bid to become a politician.  Today at federal court in Philadelphia, lawyers debated whether Carl Lewis can run for the New Jersey State Senate.  At issue is whether Olympian Carl Lewis meets a four-year residency requirement.  His lawyer William Tambussi said despite voting in California in 2009, Lewis should be on the ballot as a Democrat.”I don’t think it should be an issue,” said Tambussi.  “The primary issue should be the voters having a meaningful choice.  Voters of the 8th legislative districts are entitled to a choice between two candidates.  Carl Lewis has lived here since 2005, knows the voters, knows the issues, and those are the tests that New Jersey puts forth.  Carl Lewis satisfies those tests.”

A lawyer for the Burlington County Republican Party said the California vote should keep Lewis off the ballot, and that staying true to the residency requiements is important.  Lewis grew up in Willingboro, but settled in California. He later bought homes in New Jersey.  Last week, the same 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Lewis should be on the ballot.  

a lawyer representing Burlington County Republicans