Brooklyn judge rejects Sen. Dilan’s attempt to keep challenger off the ballot

August 10, 2018 By Rob Abruzzese, Legal Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Julia Salazar will appear on the ballot for the Democratic primary for District 18's state Senate seat after Brooklyn Judge Edgar Walker rejected state Sen. Martin Dilan's lawsuit that she hasn't lived in the state long enough. Photo by Kyle Depew/Courtesy of Julia Salazar

Share this:

A judge in the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term, ruled against a petition filed by state Sen. Martin Dilan on Thursday that would have removed challenger Julia Salazar from the ballot on Sept. 13.

Brooklyn Justice Edgar Walker rejected a lawsuit filed by state Sen. Dilan that claimed that Salazar did not meet the five-year residency requirement to run for state Senate. Walker cited dozens of documents submitted as evidence and hours of witness testimony when he rejected the claim that Salazar lived in Florida at any point within the last five years.

“This failed lawsuit shows just how desperate Dilan is to deny voters their right to choose who they want to represent them,” said Renée Paradis, attorney for Julia Salazar for state Senate. “Thanks to the court’s ruling today, voters will have the opportunity to elect a true progressive to represent them in Albany.”

Dilan is expected to appeal the decision. His office did not respond to a request for comment from the Brooklyn Eagle.

Salazar, a Democratic Socialist who is running against Dilan in North Brooklyn’s District 18, has gained endorsements from U.S. Rep Nydia Velazquez, candidate for governor Cynthia Nixon, Councilmember Jumaane Williams and Comptroller Scott Stringer as well as many other political groups.

Dilan has served as the state senator for the district since he was elected in 2013.