PHOENIX (AP) - A judge has ruled that the first state lawmaker in the U.S. to be ousted over sexual misconduct allegations after the rise of the #MeToo movement can run for the Arizona Senate because he is a resident of the district he wants to represent.
The judge ruled Friday in a legal challenge filed by a candidate in the Aug. 28 primary claiming ex-Rep. Don Shooter does not live in the district.
Shooter previously served in the Arizona House and represented a district that includes parts of Yuma and Phoenix.
The state House voted 56-3 to expel Shooter in February after investigators concluded he sexually harassed at least seven women, including fellow lawmakers.
Shooter has apologized for what he called insensitive comments involving women but said he never sought to touch anyone or have a sexual relationship.
Shooter has filed more than 800 voter signatures to qualify for the primary election ballot in the southwestern Arizona district.