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