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NJ Election Official Rules Carl Lewis Can't Run For State Senate

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP)-- New Jersey's top election official has ruled that nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis fails to meet the four-year state residency requirement to run for elected office.

Secretary of State Kim Guadagno decided Tuesday that Lewis can't continue his run for state Senate as a Democrat.

She ordered the 49-year-old's name to be stricken from the June primary ballot.

The decision by Guadagno, a Republican, can be appealed.

Guadagno rejected an administrative law judge's recommendation that Lewis be allowed to stay in the race to represent the state's south-central region.

Republicans challenged Lewis' run, saying he voted in California until recently.

The former track star told The Philadelphia Inquirer Gov. Chris Christie tried to talk him out of running.

The Christie administration says Lewis misunderstood the talk.

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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