Politics

Mo. Supreme Court: Nasheed, Taylor to stay on Democratic primary ballots

St. Louis Public Radio | By Kelsey Proud,

Rachel Lippmann, Marshall Griffin, Rachel Lippmann, Marshall Griffin, Associated Press, The Associated Press (394)

Published June 19, 2012 at 12:41 PM CDT

Updated 4:34 p.m. with comments from Rep. Sylvester Taylor.

Usually, the residency requirement for political candidates is just another box to check, but two cases involving St. Louis-area office-seekers have not been so clearly defined - until today.

The Missouri Supreme Courthas handed down decisions today on two residency-requirement cases. In both cases, state legislative districts were redrawn following the results of the 2010 U.S. Census.

DemocraticState Rep. Rochelle Walton Grayof Black Jack had challenged fellow Black Jack resident and Democratic Representative Sylvester Taylor’seligibility because he doesn’t live within the district’s recently-redrawn boundaries. A Circuit Court judge initially ruled in Taylor’s favor, but that ruling was overturned by the Eastern District Appeals Court. But the state’s High Court overruled the Appeals Court, saying that Taylor only had to live for one year in the county where the new district exists, not within that district itself. Taylor is happy with today’s decision.

“This new 75th District that was drawn November 30th, I live right across the street from it, I mean directly across the street," Taylor said. "So yes, I have to move, but I think it was the right thing to do.”

The ruling is also welcome news to several other incumbents and challengers who are running for State House seats in districts where they currently don’t reside. Gray has not responded yet to requests for a comment.

Updated 1:39 p.m. with comment from Nasheed and an attorney for Wright-Jones.

Mo. state Sen. Robin Wright-Jones vs. Mo. state Rep. Jamilah Nasheed

(Full decision)

In summary: Nasheed (D, St. Louis) had filed to challenge Wright-Jones(D, St. Louis) in the 5th Senate District. The 5th District was redrawn this year to take in part of the 4th District, but not the area where Nasheed lives.

Theoriginal decisionmade by the St. Louis Circuit Court ruled that Nasheed was ineligible for the ballot - but today the Missouri Supreme Court reversed that decision - ruling that Nasheed will, indeed, be allowed to run in the 5th District Democratic primary.

Nasheed says the time wasted on the residency challenge is further proof that Wright-Jones is not an effective leader.

"And I think at the end of the day the constituents here in the 5th Senate District will understand how important it is to have someone in the Senate that's going to represent this city and fight in the best interest of the city," Nasheed said.

An attorney for Wright-Jones, Elbert Walton, called the ruling a political decision that ignores precedent.

Mo. state Rep. Rochelle Walton Gray vs. Mo. state Rep. Sylvester Taylor II

(Full decision)

In summary: Democratic House members Rochelle Walton Gray and Sylvester Taylor each filed to run in the 75th House District in St. Louis County. That district was redrawn last year and includes pieces of both lawmakers' current House districts. Gray lives in the new 75th District, and Taylor does not.

The original decision in the case said Taylor would, indeed, be allowed to run in the 75th House District Democratic primary. Today, the Missouri Supreme court affirmed that decision, allowing Taylor to stay on the ballot.

Follow Kelsey Proud on Twitter: @KelseyProud

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Kelsey Proud

Kelsey Proud is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, where she earned a Convergence (Multimedia) Journalism degree. She has worked at PBS Interactive in Washington, D.C., MSN UK News in London and is a social media enthusiast. Kelsey feels journalism is truly a public service and hopes her work enhances community and reaches those who need information most. Though she's "from" Chicago, Kelsey has also lived in several different regions of the United States, including periods of time in North Carolina, Ohio, New Mexico and Illinois. Her extended family has roots in Boone and Audrain counties in Missouri, too. She is a wannabe chef and globe trekker, former competitive golfer and band-ie (trumpet), and honorary Missourian.

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Rachel Lippmann

Lippmann returned to her native St. Louis after spending two years covering state government in Lansing, Michigan. She earned her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and followed (though not directly) in Maria Altman's footsteps in Springfield, also earning her graduate degree in public affairs reporting. She's also done reporting stints in Detroit, Michigan and Austin, Texas. Rachel likes to fill her free time with good books, good friends, good food, and good baseball.

Marshall Griffin

Missouri Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a proud alumnus of the University of Mississippi (a.k.a., Ole Miss), and has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off the old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Mason, and their cat, Honey.

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Rachel Lippmann

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Marshall Griffin

St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.

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