Carla Castronuova, a former Golden Globe boxing champion and celebrity fitness trainer on the reality show “The Biggest Loser,” said Monday that the New York Republican Party has no thorny plans that would prevent her from being eligible to vote to run for office. A federal lawsuit was filed alleging the provision. US Senate.
In his complaint filed in Eastern District Court, Castronuova said the Republican Party’s requirement that candidates obtain 15,000 valid signatures from Republican voters is anti-democratic and unconstitutional.
The State Election Commission is also named as a defendant.
Her best friend, John Tabacco, a Republican from Staten Island, is also named as a plaintiff.
The 15,000 voter signatures will need to be collected over 37 days in 13 of the 26 congressional districts. Petitions must be submitted by April 4th.
Castronuova said in court papers that she had collected more than 13,500 signatures.
“It is virtually impossible for the average citizen to meet the 15,000 signature requirement,” Castronuova and Tabacco said in their lawsuit.
“Given the complexity and expense of the rules, it is unlikely that even parties will be able to collect 15,000 signatures in time. “We have exempted anyone other than candidates from the very rules we have in place,” the complaint states.
The case dates back to 2000, when a federal judge declared New York’s Republican voting access rules unconstitutional and allowed presidential candidate John McCain to run in the primary against George W. Bush. refers to the lawsuit.
“It’s déjà vu all over again,” the complaint states.
At its convention in February, Republicans selected former NYPD detective Mike Sapracorn as their candidate, with a major goal of ousting Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in November.
Instagram/@caracastronuova
Mr. Supplykorn became the party’s endorser, defeating Mr. Castronuova, who is currently a Newsmax reporter, and entrepreneur Josh Eisen.
Both Mr. Castronuova and Mr. Eisen failed to receive the 25% of weighted delegate votes required to qualify to vote in the Republican primary.
The only other way to get on the ballot is to collect 15,000 signatures from registered Republicans.
Meanwhile, her fortunes took another turn when former President Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee for the White House, endorsed her.
Castronuova attempted to run as a Make America Great Again (MAGA) candidate with support from President Trump.
State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox was not immediately available for comment.
