Kentucky Republicans still breaking the law...Virginia Woodward.

[madfloridian]

A Long Road to the Kentucky Senate

By Jim Dean, DFA chair

SNIP.."If there is anyone who symbolizes gracious perseverance more than Virginia Woodward, I have yet to meet her. As you may recall, Virginia was a Dean Dozen candidate for the Kentucky State Senate, 37th District in 2004. And I just wanted to take a moment to update all of you on her situation because it speaks to the importance of what we are doing as a community and provides a tremendous testimony to why we should never give up.

Shortly before Election Day last year, it was discovered that Virginia's Republican opponent was not qualified to be on the ballot as a candidate for the Kentucky State Senate because she had only lived in Kentucky for three years instead of the clearly required six. In fact, Virginia's opponent had been living in Indiana during most of this period, but had moved back to Kentucky to run for a seat that her father had previously held.

The principal here is simple. Kentucky officeholders are supposed to be from Kentucky. Even in the presence of this "residency slight-of-hand" the election was held. Virginia's opponent won by less than one thousand votes—a difference that can be attributed to the opponent's family ties to the Kentucky Republican machine.

The illegitimate election of Virginia Woodward's opponent was further established in a subsequent court hearing on the matter, that declared that the opponent had no business running for office in Kentucky and that Virginia was the winner of the election. Yet, there were still challenges—both in the courts and the county and state board of elections—all of which ruled that Virginia was the winner. The county and state board of elections certified Virginia's victory; and she was sworn in by the Kentucky Chief Justice as the State Senator representing the 37th District in the Kentucky Legislature on January 4th 2005, along with the rest of her Senate colleagues....."END SNIP

More at the link

Here is her website with the ruling in her favor:
http://www.virginiawoodward.com/

On November 22, 2004, Circuit Court Judge Barry Willett issued a final court order ruling stating in effect:

Stephenson was NOT qualified to hold office under Section 32 of the Constitution because she lived (1997-2001) and voted (1998-2000) in Indiana. Because Stephenson was not qualified, the Jefferson County Board of Elections was directed not to count her votes.

Stephenson and Senate President David Williams did not appeal.
More at the link and also how to donate.

"I was certified by the Jefferson County Board of Elections, the State Board of Elections, sworn in on January 1, 2005 by Circuit Court Judge Stephen Ryan, and sworn in by Justice Joseph Lambert on January 4, 2005 on the State Senate floor."

On January 7, 2005, in seating unqualified candidate (Stephenson), the Republican-controlled Senate exercised blatant disregard for the Kentucky Constitution, our laws of checks and balances, and our democracy which is based on 3 co-equal branches of government..."

[hippiepunk]

1. Judicial Activism!

:P

[The Doctor.]

2. yeay - justice!

How rare.

[madfloridian]

3. Republicans refuse to seat her still....delay court rulings. Break law.

If you can a little, please do. If not, be aware of how they circumvent the judicial system there.

More from Jim's statement:

SNIP.."However, the Republicans continued their efforts to skirt the law and delay the process by introducing one appeal and legal motion after another. Sound familiar? The courts and elections boards have continued to side in Virginia's favor, including the most recent Kentucky Supreme Court ruling which upheld the lower court's ruling for Virginia.

In the meantime, these Republican delay tactics have effectively prevented the voters of Kentucky's 37th District from having any representation at all in the Senate during this entire 2005 legislative session! This matter is so appalling that one Republican Senator has already resigned from his party in protest of this assault on Democracy.

Virginia has fought with tenacity, courage, her own funds, and individual contributions; whereas, the Republican Senators of Kentucky have taken up the case of her opponent on their own. Conveniently, this means that they can use state funds—taxpayers' money—to continue to tie this election up in court!"

Please note that they are using taxpayer money to tie this up in the courts.

[FreedomAngel82]

5. These people are freakin nuts

They will do anything to hold their power. Never mind democracy. Bunch of hypocritical assholes. While claiming to bring "democracy" around the world they're denying it here. God I hate these people!!

[madfloridian]

6. Glad to see DFA still giving her support.

:hi:

[madfloridian]

4. One last kick because they ignore the judiciary.

:kick: