Judge Rules Against Jim Walden’s Mayoral Candidacy Withdrawal

Despite his announcement to withdraw last week, long-shot mayoral candidate Jim Walden is still in the race for this November’s elections, following a ruling by a Manhattan judge.

Judge Jeffrey H. Perlman ruled Thursday against Walden, an attorney who had taken legal action against the city’s election commission to have his name removed from the ballot after finishing his campaign last week.

Walden had filed the lawsuit claiming that keeping his name on the ballot would effectively “disenfranchise” voters.

The judge denied his request, stating that candidates had to act months prior to remove their names. “The Election Commission adhered to the law by not accepting requests for candidacy changes past the designated deadline for such documents,” Perlman noted in his ruling.

The Board of Elections indicated that the law permits the removal of candidates from the ballot only before the September 19 printing cut-off, under specific circumstances—like moving out of state, accepting a judicial nomination, or experiencing an unexpected death.

Walden argued in court that he had “voluntarily” chosen to relocate to his second home in Connecticut during the election period.

However, the attorney representing the Board of Elections, Grace Pyun, pointed out that Walden never submitted any official relocation plans.

Despite Walden’s vigorous assertions, the judge appeared skeptical. “I should have moved to Connecticut,” Perlman remarked during the session.

After the hearing, Walden expressed his feelings on social media, stating, “The right thing is for candidates who will withdraw to remove their names unless they have a compelling interest in keeping them. That’s just common sense.”

In a recent New York Times/Siena poll, Walden garnered less than 1% of the support from voters.