Connie Johnson’s residency challenged in court
One of State Rep. Connie Johnson’s rivals for State Senate has filed a court motion seeking to remove her from the ballot
The Post-Dispatch reported earlier this month that Johnson, a St. Louis Democrat, rented out her home in the city’s North Point neighborhood while she stayed with her mother in the West End - in a home both outside her current State House district, and the State Senate district she is seeking to represent.
Johnson gave the West End address as her own in a sworn affidavit that was part of a lawsuit seeking back rent from the tenants.
On Tuesday, State Rep. Robin Wright-Jones - one of two other Democrats seeking the seat - filed a lawsuit of her own, challenging Johnson’s qualifications for the November ballot.
Under Missouri law, candidates for office must live in the district they are running in at least a year prior to election. Documents indicate that Johnson was using the West End address as recently as February. Johnson’s name is on the deed of the house, and appeared on the water bill.
In a statement, Wright-Jones said she filed the challenge because “my silence would make me an accomplice to the sham.”
“I did not put Connie in the race,” Wright-Jones said. “I did not precipitate the residency crises.”
A hearing for the case has been set for May 9 in St. Louis Circuit Court. The judge has until May 27 - when the Secretary of State finalizes the ballot - to issue a verdict.
A lawyer for Johnson, Rufus Tate, has maintained that she has “never changed her domicile” from the address listed on election papers.
The court challenge, Tate said Wednesday, “is without merit.”
UPDATE: Read the petition here
Johnson
Wright-Jones
WSay to go Robin! It is a sham! Do what you have to do to rectify the situation!!!!
Why doesn’t Hubbard challenge Johnson’s residency?
Alderman Greg Carter put Rep. Johnson in the race to take votes away from Rep. Jones to help Rep. Hubbard who just happens to be a friend of Sen. Smith who Ald. Carter supported in the 4th Senatorial race last year. It was a classic double-double-cross. Alderman Carter was trying to consolidate support for his son who is running for Rep. Johnson’s seat in the house so that he (Ald. Carter) can run for a City-wide office next Spring.
They did the same thing during the 4th District race when Chris Carter (Ald. Carter’s brother) sponsored a basketball tournament to raise money for Jeff Smith although publicly the Ward Organization was with Yaphett El-Amin.
The person missing in all this is the Ward’s Committeeman, Curtis Royster, who also filed for Rep.Johnson’s seat. They seem to have kicked him out of the Organization because he was not a team player.
THIS IS WHY WE NEEDED TERM-LIMITS AND HOME RULE!
I’m sure Connie had the previous address which is within the residency limits for years prior to her running. .So what if just recently she stayed with her Mother due to a family illness. . .How dare they try to knock her out of the race for something so innocent and family-oriented. . What about all the family protection acts? What do you do about aging parents? Throw them to the curb? Connie should be commended for doing the right thing and helping out her Mother.
Shame on Wright-Jones. Should we do an address search for the past years on Wright-Jones?
I’ve lost all respect for Wrong-Jones!
Stop contesting her run for office and focus on the real issues for once.
Fifth District Resident (Comment #2): Comment #4 demonstrates why Hubbard didn’t file the challenge. One draws flack for doing so. He wisely let Wright Jones take the flack (and bear the legal costs).
Legally, Johnson can win this suit merely by demonstrating that her residency with her mother was temporary and she always intended to return to the district. That principle has thwarted residency challenges against as diverse a pair of politicians as Kit Bond in the 1972 governors race and Green Party’s Jason Murphy in the 2002 contest for License Collector.
Steve Knows- You are wrong on so many levels I dont know where to begin…….
For starters Greg’s son isnt running for any seat, his NEPHEW Chris Carter is, second of all Gregs brother Chris Carter didnt sponsor any such event with Sen. Smith…….there was a misunderstanding and Jeff used Chris Carters name. 3rd I highly doubt Greg wants to run for a city wide seat or can even win a city wide seat.
Ask your self why Yaphett is working for a Republican (opps), I mean Democrat running for Attorney General who Jeff Smith is a supporter of? Talk abouit turning your back on the people. Koster voted to cut off debate with democrats concerning the voter ID bill, also voted for that bill…….he voted, with Matt Blunt, to cut over 700,000 missourisan off healthcare, doesnt support public education. Doesnt sound like a democrat to me.
And dont even bring Curtis Royston name up………Curtis who helped the Mayor bring in Bill Roberti who started the school mess.
As far as I’m concerned Robin is the person I want to win, but I severely doubt, because she is worried about lawsuits and isnt raising money or meeting people.
There are more than enough reasons to challenge Johnson’s residency. Why should voters or candidates have to deal with a cloud of suspicion of another candidate. The courts will decide and the matter will be put to rest. If it is indeed a “sham” then Wright-Jones comes out ahead in two ways, eliminating an opponent, and shedding light on the nonsense that is St. Louis politics.However if she looses there will be a price to pay. She is having a fund raiser @ Gene Lynn’s on Monday.