Via kevinrobinsonforphoenix.com
Phoenix candidate who rented home to run for City Council can stay on ballot, judge rules
Taylor Seely | The Arizona Republic
A frontrunner contestant for Phoenix City Council will be allowed to remain on the ballot, a judge ruled Tuesday, after another contender claimed he did not live in the city in hopes he’d be barred from running.
Kevin Robinson is a former Phoenix police officer and the hand-picked choice of Mayor Kate Gallego to replace outgoing District 6 Councilmember Sal DiCiccio, who is term limited.
But an attorney for opponent Moses Sanchez argued in Maricopa County Superior Court on Monday that Robinson was actually a resident of Scottsdale and that he disingenuously rented a Phoenix house to run for office but didn’t permanently live there, which city code requires.
Challenges to candidates’ eligibility are a regular part of the campaign process, but often indicate competitiveness within a race.
Judge Scott McCoy rejected the arguments in a court ruling, saying while some of the facts suggested Robinson may not regularly stay at his rental home in Phoenix, there was sufficient evidence to show he was a resident of the district and has the intent to continue residing in the area.
Robinson and Sanchez are two of eight contestants competing to represent District 6 in Phoenix, which encompasses the eastern and southern portions of the city.
