Judge Hears Case for Harris’ Removal From Primary Ticket

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —  Katherine Harris should be kicked off the ballot for Congress because the former Florida secretary of state made mistakes in her resignation and signed an improper oath, her Republican primary opponent said Thursday.

John C. Hill said Harris violated a state law that required her to file a letter of intent to resign as secretary of state when she qualified to run for the House of Representatives and signed an oath saying she had resigned from her old office.

If Harris is disqualified from the Sept. 10 primary, Hill would win the GOP nomination by default.

Circuit Judge P. Kevin Davey, who heard arguments Thursday, did not indicate when he would rule on the matter.

Harris resigned Aug. 1, saying she had misunderstood the resignation letter rules. She should have filed a letter July 15 stating her intent to step down before the next Congress takes office in January, but she didn’t.

Hill argued that because Harris continued to work after July 15, she hadn’t resigned and therefore the oath was false.

Lawyers for Harris told Davey her actions result from an oversight and that she quit her post as soon as she realized the problem.

Harris’ attorney, Donna Blanton, said court precedent shows that when there is doubt about whether a candidate has done everything technically correct to get on a ballot, the judge should find in favor of keeping the person on the ballot.

Hill, a former television anchor, said it is better to resolve the matter now, rather than having Democrats pursue the issue if Harris wins the primary.

The candidates hope to succeed GOP Rep. Dan Miller, who is retiring from the heavily Republican district in Central Florida after four terms. Four newcomers are seeking the Democratic nod.