TX Democrats Challenge Republican’s Residency

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Texas Democrats have turned to the courts to challenge the eligibility of new Republican state Sen. Brian Birdwell.

Birdwell won the central Texas seat in a special election after the retirement of Sen. Kip Averitt, but has faced questions over his residency.

Democrat John Cullar was nominated Thursday to oppose Birdwell in November. Cullar and the Texas Democratic Party have petitioned the Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth to determine Birdwell’s eligibility.

Texas Senate candidates must live in the state for five years before running. Birdwell has a voting record from 2004-06 in Virginia, where he lived while working for the Pentagon.

Birdwell, who returned to Texas around 2007, says he maintained his residency.

 

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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