Former Yuma Rep. Don Shooter will get a second chance at a political comeback.
Shooter, a Republican who was expelled from the Arizona House of Representatives in February for sexually harassing women, meets the residency requirements to run for the Legislative District 13 state Senate seat, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Rosa Mroz ruled today as reported by Arizona Capitol Times.
Mroz granted Shooter’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that he does not live in the Yuma district he is hoping to represent once again. Shooter’s Republican primary opponent Brent Backus brought the lawsuit against the former lawmaker.
Shooter celebrated the judge’s decision Friday.
“I look forward to the opportunity of serving the people of District 13 again,” Shooter said via text message. The ruling does not guarantee Shooter regains a seat in the Legislature, but allows Shooter’s name on the August primary ballot, Cap Timesreported
The judge found that Shooter’s Yuma condo is and has been the former lawmaker’s primary residence. Shooter has been a Yuma resident for at least a year, and was a resident of the county when he filed his nominating petitions to run for office, the judge ruled.
Lawmakers are required to reside in the county they are running in for at least one year prior to the election, according to a constitutional provision.
Backus’ attorney Timothy LaSota said they would likely appeal the decision, which would take the case to the Arizona Supreme Court.
