Tea Party candidate files residency challenge against Landrieu

Louisiana GOP Senate candidate Rob Maness filed legal complaints against incumbent Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu on Friday, saying questions about her residency should disqualify her from the ballot.

{mosads}A week ago, Maness, a Tea Party-backed retired Air Force colonel, informed the Louisiana secretary of state of inconsistencies in Landrieu’s residency status. The Washington Post looked into the issue and found she listed her parents’ home in New Orleans to qualify for the ballot, but listed her home on Capitol Hill in Washington as her home address.

“The Constitution, Louisiana law and common sense say candidates for Senate have to live here when they qualify — all of the evidence shows that Mary Landrieu doesn’t live here,” Maness said in a statement.

“Election Code empowers our district attorneys to object to a candidate’s qualification when presented with evidence,” he continued. “There is no question that compelling and overwhelming evidence has now been presented. The most appropriate way to resolve this is to have the law upheld by the proper authorities.”

The four separate complaints were filed with district attorneys in the Orleans, East Baton Rouge, St. Tammany and Ouachita parishes. 

Landrieu, one of the GOP’s top targets this cycle, faces a tough challenge in November against establishment GOP favorite Rep. Bill Cassidy, while Maness is battling for the Tea Party vote. The jungle primary will be on election day, but if no candidate takes 50 percent the top two will advance to a December runoff.