A Kanawha County judge has found a leading candidate in a five-county GOP primary senate race is ineligible to run because she never met the residency requirements.
Early vote ballots have already been cast in the 8th District Senate race in Roane, Clay and parts of Kanawha, Putnam and Jackson counties.
The court challenge got underway after a voter went to court challenging Andrea Kiessling’s residency. That followed a social media allegation by her republican primary opponent, Josh Higginbotham, that she failed to meet residency requirements for the state, which led to a Tuesday hearing before Judge Duke Bloom.
The case got a late start. The civil action got to court well after early voting started, impacting both Republican and Independent voters.
The judge in his ruling finding her ineligible was especially concerned about her voting in North Carolina while claiming to be a state resident for the purpose of running in West Virginia.
Bloom ordered the Secretary of State to withdraw her certification of candidacy and election officials not to count votes for her.
Clerks in the five counties must post signs at all polling places saying she is ineligible.
The Secretary of State said he will comply with the writ of mandamus order after holding a required meeting with the Elections Commission as soon as it can meet.