Carl Lewis won his latest and, he hopes, final court battle to remain on the ballot for a state senate seat in New Jersey. Now that his legitimacy as a resident is no longer an obstacle, Lewis says he wants to put the Republicans’ challenges behind him, to move on, focus on his campaign and fundraising.
“It’s a wonderful day. We can put this behind us. It’s time to move on. Let’s just get ready for the campaign.”
Not according to the state’s Republicans, who were described as being “outraged” by Tuesday’s ruling by the 3rd U.S. District Court of Appeals. “This was a miscarriage of justice and another example of why Americans are losing faith in government institutions that are supposed to treat everyone equally.” This from Chris Russell, a campaign consultant for Burlington County’s Republican Committee, as quoted on the website.
Mark Sheridan, an attorney for the Burlington County Republicans, called the decision “a miscarriage of justice.” He assailed the ruling. “I think the court absolutely got it wrong,” he said on Tuesday in a report filed by reporter, David Levinsky, for the same website “They applied the wrong standard.” Bluntly critical of the ruling, Sheridan added, “It’s not for the federal or state judiciary to modify or rewrite the [New Jersey] Constitution.”
Yet, it is to the full 3rd Circuit or to the U.S. Supreme Court Republicans say they plan to take their case to continue their fight to remove Lewis’ name from the November ballot.
“I haven’t taken it personally,” Lewis says. “The reality is they felt it was an easy race and there would be no issues.” The nine-time Olympic gold medalist compares the Republican’s game plan to the attitude of some athletes.
“They’ve had a lot of easy races and they wanted an easy win.” But he says for him, it’s not about being number one or winning an easy race. It’s about “hard work and using your level of knowledge. You have to have dedication.”
Despite being in and out of court, on and off the ballot, since declaring his candidacy last April, Lewis says he been knocking on the doors of the county’s residents, listening to their concerns, asking about them and answering their questions about why he’s running. He says he tells them “It’s about service.”
“I’m not looking for a title or attention. These are not things I’m looking for or need. I’m not going to vote on something because I’m worrying about losing my constituency or my office. I’m going to be the same person they see serving in the community, coaching kids, handing out scholarships, while enhancing some of the things I’ve been working on.”
But even as he’s gone door to door, Lewis has had to persuade voters to listen to his message and not be distracted by Republican claims that he shouldn’t be allowed to run for the state senate.
”[The Republicans] have done everything in the world to keep me out of this race,” he admits. At the same time, however, he points not only to his ties in the community, but the ties forged by his parents.
“I attended school here from first grade until I graduated. My parents, between them, taught nearly 50 years in the Willingboro school district. We’ve touched so many people. Not only in school but as track coaches.” Lewis says it’s a family tradition he’s proudly carrying on by reaching out into and contributing to the community.
“I’m running into people who say your mother taught me. Your father taught me. I was on the track team with you. Your parents coached me. Every single day I walk, they say you’re one of us.”
In his favor is his advocacy for equity in educational opportunities and his extensive and long-term community involvement, which was a factor in the brief filed on his behalf. The ruling handed down in his favor stated: “The state has failed to demonstrate a compelling state interest in the application of this durational residency requirement to this particular candidate.” Yet, even these favorable factors still leave Lewis with a lot of convincing to do before the November ballot. He says his confidence is an asset and confidence has served him well heading into any race.
“Almost 50 percent of the district is undeclared. There are a lot of undeclared voters who swing one way or the other.” How is he fairing with the undecided as he knocks on doors? “What surprises me is that these voters say, ‘No one has ever come to my door and ask for my vote.’ That blows me away and I’ve been all over town and they’re thanking me for coming to their doors. I’m really excited about it.”
According to Levinsky and others following Lewis’ legal battles, the Republicans are grasping at straws when it comes to another hearing since neither the full 3rd U.S Court of Appeals or the U.S. Supreme Court take most of the cases that are made to it. But Levinsky doesn’t discount a Republicans campaign strategy to dispute Lewis’ legitimacy as a New Jersey resident rather than focusing on the issues. He says normally this is a boring political season with little voter interest. What’s made this election interesting is the Republicans’ opposition and Carl Lewis’ name recognition. This, he says, might boost voter turnout.
Lewis says he’ll continue his door-to-door campaign, with a message for the residents in his district. “It’s not about the government or myself. It’s really about the state. And, if we can’t put aside any personal issues, we shouldn’t be running for office.”
