Politics & Government

Beverly Hills Mayor Sues State, County to Get Name on June Ballot in Senate Race

John Mirisch was contacted by state Republican leaders last week on the eve of last Wednesday's deadline to file for the seat because no other Republican had.

Beverly Hills Mayor John Mirisch sued state and county election officials today seeking to have his name placed on the June primary ballot in the race for the open 26th Senate District seat.

Mirisch was contacted by state Republican leaders last week on the eve of last Wednesday's deadline to file for the seat because no other Republican had, The Beverly Hills Courier reported.

Mirisch, who was in Washington meeting with members of Congress about Beverly Hills' attempts to stop tunneling under Beverly Hills High School for the Metro Purple Line extension, faxed his campaign papers to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk last Wednesday, then sent them by overnight mail and they were received the following day, according to The Courier.

Find out what's happening in Beverly Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean C. Logan notified Mirisch that Secretary of State Debra Bowen would not allow Logan to accept Mirisch's faxed candidacy papers, despite Logan's willingness to do so, according to the lawsuit filed in Sacramento County.

Both Bowen and Logan routinely accept election documents by fax or uploading, according to the lawsuit.

Find out what's happening in Beverly Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The lawsuit was filed in Sacramento because the court has jurisdiction over election matters, according to the Sacramento-based legal firm of Bell, McAndrews & Hiltachk, LLP, which is representing Mirisch.

Bowen, Logan and 100 unnamed individuals are named as the defendants.

There was no immediate response to telephone calls placed after the close of usual business hours to the Los Angeles County Registrar- Recorder/County Clerk and Secretary of State's offices seeking responses.

The 26th Senate District seat represents the westside and South Bay. The seat is being vacated by Ted Lieu, who is running for the congressional seat of retiring Rep. Henry Waxman.

--City News Service


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