Carl Lewis ruled ineligible to run for N.J. Senate

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno has ruled that Olympic track star Carl Lewis cannot be on the June primary ballot as a Democratic candidate for the state Senate.

In her other role as secretary of state, Guadagno oversees the Division of Elections. She decided Tuesday afternoon that Lewis does meet the state’s four-year residency requirement to be a candidate for elected office. In so doing, she rejected an administrative law judge’s recommendation that Lewis stay in the 8th District Senate race in Burlington County.

Lewis attorney William Tambussi said he’ll appeal the decision to the state’s appellate court.

“The argument will be that Carl Lewis did establish his residency and his domicile in New Jersey and his intent to live in New Jersey which is the key test under the law, a factor ignored by the lieutenant governor,” Tambussi said.

Burlington County Republicans challenged Lewis’ candidacy. They say that, until recently, he voted in California.

Mark Sheridan, representing the Burlington County GOP, said the group expects to prevail in its appeal.

“Nothing that they can say at this point in time will change the fact that Mr. Lewis was a resident of California during the last four years and has been voting in California,” Sheridan said.

Senate President Steve Sweeney says the decision whether Lewis can serve in the Senate should be made by voters, not by a partisan elected official.