A Leon County circuit judge Thursday issued a formal order finding that a Tampa Bay-area congressional candidate is ineligible to run this year and refused to put the ruling on hold during an appeal. Judge John Cooper announced last week that he would rule Republican Jerry Torres did not properly qualify for the ballot but did not issue the formal ruling until Thursday. He also rejected a request by Torres’ attorneys for a stay while they challenge his ruling at the 1st District Court of Appeal.
A Leon County circuit judge Thursday issued a formal order finding that a Tampa Bay-area congressional candidate is ineligible to run this year and refused to put the ruling on hold during an appeal. Judge John Cooper announced last week that he would rule Republican Jerry Torres did not properly qualify for the ballot but did not issue the formal ruling until Thursday. He also rejected a request by Torres’ attorneys for a stay while they challenge his ruling at the 1st District Court of Appeal.