PHOENIX β A Republican candidate for state Senate is trying to short-circuit ousted Yuma Rep. Don Shooter's bid to get back into the Legislature.
In legal papers filed Friday, Brent Backus contends that Shooter, going after the same seat, also as a Republican, isn't legally eligible to run.
Attorney Tim La Sota, who represents Backus, said that's because Shooter changed his voter registration to a central Phoenix address in April after he was ousted from the House when his colleagues found him guilty of sexual harassment. That means he has not lived in the district he wants to represent for a year before running, a state constitutional requirement, La Sota said.
A hearing is set for next week in front of Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Rosa Mroz.
Shooter, in a written response to questions from Capitol Media Services, indicated he is not worried about the legal challenge.
"Let's dance,'' he said, adding, "What is he afraid of? A little competition never hurt anybody.''
Shooter did not address questions about changing his voter registration.
