Nebraska State Senator Adam Morfeld’s name will appear on the ballot for the May primary. The Lincoln Democrat and licensed attorney is running for Lancaster County attorney.
The local and state GOP objected claimed Morfeld was ineligible because he hadn’t actively practiced law during the past two years. On Wednesday District Court judge denied a challenge by the state and Lancaster County GOP to force Morfeld off the ballot.
GOP leaders objected, claiming that Morfeld was ineligible to run because he hadn’t “practiced law actively” during the past two years. The Lancaster County Election Commissioner rejected the complaint, which prompted an appeal to the Lancaster County Court.
(Story courtesy of Nebraska Examiner)
On Wednesday, Lancaster County District Judge Kevin McManaman denied the appeal, ruling that Morfeld’s legal work as a state senator and as the head of Civic Nebraska, a group seeking to increase civic engagement by citizens, qualified him as an active lawyer.
The GOP had argued that since Morfeld had no formal legal “clients,” his work didn’t qualify him as an actively practicing attorney. An appeal to the Nebraska Supreme Court is possible, but whether or not the high court could rule prior to the May 10 primary election is doubtful.
In a press release Morfeld said the judge’s ruling affirmed “what was plainly obvious to everyone in the community.”