Judge says ousted Arizona lawmaker Don Shooter can stay on ballot
Jun 15, 2018, 3:29 PM
PHOENIX — A judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit that tried to get disgraced Arizona lawmaker Don Shooter off the ballot for a state Senate run for living outside the district.
Shooter was expelled from the House of Representatives for a pattern of sexual harassment in February.
He turned in enough signatures to get his name on the ballot for the Republican primary for the Senate seat in Legislative District 13, which covers parts of Yuma to areas west of Phoenix.
The lawsuit filed by Brent Backus, a candidate for the same the seat, alleged that Shooter lives in a part of Phoenix not covered by the district.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Rosa Mroz granted Shooter’s motion for dismissal, ruling that he met all residency requirements.
The court found that a Yuma apartment is Shooter’s primary residence, and a Phoenix house is a temporary residence.
Shooter was the first state lawmaker kicked out of office since the #MeToo movement began.
The state House voted 56-3 to expel him after investigators concluded he sexually harassed at least seven women, including fellow lawmakers.
Shooter has apologized for what he called insensitive comments involving women but said he never sought to touch anyone or have a sexual relationship.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
