Carl Lewis ends quest for N.J. Senate seat

Olympic gold medal winner Carl Lewis has ended his bid for a state Senate seat in New Jersey.

Lewis announced his decision Friday,the day after a federal appeals court ruled he could not be on the ballot because he doesn’t meet the state’s four-year residency requirement.

“What’s the point of being here?” said Lewis. “The point is to serve and be a part of people’s lives and make their lives better. So my message of the day is service does not need a title.”

Lewis said he intends to stay involved with his charitable foundation and other activities.

He has ruled out running against Republican Congressman Jon Runyon next year, but says he doesn’t know if he’ll seek any political office in the future.

Lewis, a Democrat who has never run for office before, was trying to challenge Republican incumbent Dawn Addiego.

The 50-year-old track legend grew up in South Jersey but spent most of his adult life in Texas and California.

Burlington County Democrats say they’re examining their options as far as a replacement candidate for Lewis in the Senate race, but time is running out for ballots to be printed.