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Peters challenges primary rival Johns’ standing

ST. LOUIS – Rep. Joshua Peters, D-St. Louis, filed a petition Friday claiming his primary opponent, Rachel Johns, has no standing to run.

The petition claims that Johns fails to qualify because she registered to vote in Missouri on Feb. 4, 2015. Missouri law requires a candidate to have been a qualified Missouri voter for 2 years on the date of their election.

“My client is bringing this lawsuit to ensure that those who want to make our laws also follow our laws,” said Matt Vianello, Peters’ attorney. “We are providing the court with Ms. John’s voter registration application as evidence that Ms. Johns was not registered to vote in Missouri before February 2015.”

No Republican candidate filed to run in the 76th district, meaning the winner of the primary between Peters and Johns would win the seat.

Peters’ petition was filed in the Circuit Court of St. Louis City.