NJ Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Carl Lewis Case

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New Jersey's Supreme Court said Friday that it won't weigh in on whether Carl Lewis is eligible to run for the state Senate, a decision that keeps the former Olympic star on the ballot, for now. A denial of certification signed by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, said the key constitutional issue is already being litigated in federal court.

Lewis is running as a Democrat in southern New Jersey's Republican-dominated 8th District. The nine-time Olympic gold medalist -- one of the world's most decorated track stars -- is the only Democrat on the ballot. Incumbent Dawn Marie Addiego is unopposed in the Republican primary.

Lewis won one victory, which is enough to keep his hope alive. A federal appeals court panel ruled Thursday that his name must be included on the ballot for the June 7 primary. The legal case now rests with a federal district judge, who could possibly remove Lewis from the general election ballot, even though he's included in the primary.

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• Appeals court allows Carl Lewis to stay on state ballot for now (cnn.com)
• NJ court won't halt ballot printing for Carl Lewis (thegrio.com)
• Court puts Carl Lewis back on NJ primary ballot (seattletimes.nwsource.com)