Republican candidate Justine Wadsack told a Pima County judge she rented a room in a house in the new district to protect her family.A state Senate candidate accused of not living in the right district told a judge Monday that she moved from her family home because of attacks by political opponents and “antifa.”
By Ray Stern || The Arizona Republic
Republican candidate Justine Wadsack told a Pima County judge she rented a room in a house in the new district to protect her family.
A state Senate candidate accused of not living in the right district told a judge Monday that she moved from her family home because of attacks by political opponents and “antifa.”
Republican candidate Justine Wadsack, who won the Aug. 2 primary race in the Tucson area’s Legislative District 17, testified before Pima County Superior Court Judge Richard Gordon that she began to rent a room in the new district to protect her husband and disabled stepdaughter.
The move allowed her to legally run for office in the district, but allies of her opponent in the primary filed a lawsuit questioning whether she relocated.
Gordon denied the challenge in a ruling Monday evening.
In his ruling, Gordon said incumbent state Sen. Vince Leach’s supporters did not meet the burden of proof required.
“Although the timing and circumstances make Wadsack’s move seem suspicious, including the relatively small investment she made in her current living arrangements, the challengers have failed to show” she has no intent to remain in the new dwelling, he wrote in the ruling.
