Posted on 08/30/2004 6:15:49 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Lawyers to argue case today on Alexander's switch to GOP
By The Associated Press Arguments are scheduled for today at a state appeals court in a lawsuit over U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander's last-minute switch from the Democrats to the Republicans in the congressional 5th district race. In court papers, two challengers in the Nov. 2 election -- one Republican, one Democrat -- said Alexander should be tossed off the ballot.
Alexander was a longtime Democrat who filed to run for re-election as a Democrat on Aug. 4, then refiled as a Republican two days later, just before the deadline to sign up for the race.
Former state Rep. Jock Scott, the Republican left out in the cold when Alexander switched, and Zelma Blakes -- the self-described homemaker who signed up as a Democrat -- seek to have him thrown off the ballot in filings with the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal in Baton Rouge.
State District Judge Allen Edwards in Plaquemine ruled last week in a lawsuit filed by Democrats that qualifying for the election should be reopened. He also said Blakes and Scott will not have to file new qualifying papers, but that Alexander will.
Scott and Blakes appealed, saying there is no provision in state law for reopening qualifying, that state law prevented Alexander from changing his party affiliation once he had qualified as a Democrat, and that by filing new papers on Aug. 6, he effectively withdrew from the race.
Lawyers for Democrat Jeremy Lacombe, who originally wanted Alexander thrown off the ballot, say they remain happy with Allen's ruling. And they say qualifying can legally be reopened because the qualifying dates, by law, should have opened on the third Wednesday in August, not Aug 4.
Alexander's lawyers want Alexander to remain on the ballot as a Republican. They say qualifying should not be reopened.
While the Democrat Party absolutely deserves to be on the receiving end of dirty tricks, I do think Alexander did this switch in a very sleazy manner.
"Sleazy manner" You just summed up Louisiana politics in two words. If there was not some sort of slime going on it would not be an election with these drunk cajuns.
I have to admit it was a dirty trick, but so is McGreevey staying in office till Nov 15.
I just don't think part switching should be allowed in the middle of a term...you should have to wait until you run again. The people elected you as a rat, you should stay a rat until you can run as a descent human being..if you can
He IS running for another term. This would not be party switching in midterm. He was qualifying to run for his SECOND term as a Republican.
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