ST. LOUIS – Rachel Johns, who Rep. Joshua Peters, D-St. Louis, claims has no standing to run against him in August’s primary for the 76th District, responded to those claims, telling The Missouri Times she has a right to run and is legally qualified.
Johns’ attorney, Dave Roland of the Freedom Center of Missouri, will file a response today saying that there is a difference between being qualified to run and being a registered voter.
“I have a right to be on the ballot and represent my constituents, should I win,” she said. She also said she is “pretty confident” she could win the August primary.
Peters’ attorneys have claimed in a court petition that Johns has no standing to run because on the November election day she will not have been a registered voter in District 76 for two years. However, Johns and Roland contend that she only has to have been qualified to vote, not necessarily registered to vote, for two years. Johns moved to the district on Aug. 10, 2014.
Johns, a Memphis native, is a newcomer to politics and says this case has confirmed her view of the system.
“It reaffirms my belief that the establishment controls the government,” she said. “I do not believe [Peters] is a bad person but… he’s lazy and doesn’t want to run a campaign.”
The winner of the primary between Johns and Peters would represent the 76th district in the House of Representatives because there is no Republican opponent. Peters has represented the district for the last four years.
