On September 6, we posted about the intervener's response to the referee's findings in our post, Petitioners in Westrom residency challenge referee's conclusion; his lawyers don't.
Mostly, the post was embedded copies of court filings.
In the latest e-edition of the Swift County Monitor, editor Reed Anfinson does some real journalism in "Westrom decision appealed."
Though it appeared the challenge to Sen. Torrey Westrom’s residency in the new District 12 was settled, it’s not. Anfinson begins:
An appeal has been filed by Appleton attorney Brian Wojtalewicz, who represented one of the petitioners in the challenge to Westrom’s residency.
Appellate Court Judge Diane B. Bratvold ruled Aug. 30 that Westrom had met the state’s standards for establishing residency in the district. But her ruling added a comment that is now being cited in the appeal.
“In sum, the evidence Westrom presented to support his claim that he now resides in Senate District 12 is not overwhelming,” Bratvold wrote. “Still, the evidence establishes by a preponderance that Westrom has resided at the Lake Mary property since May 7, 2022, given the short period of time he had to move after redistricting changed the boundaries for Senate District 12.”
“Thus, Westrom has satisfied the residency requirement to run for senator in Senate District 12,” Bratvold concluded. . . .
. . . Wojtalewicz filed the appeal for Guillemard who says the evidence is clear Westrom has not established residency in the new District 12. He expects a quick decision by the Supreme Court on the appeal considering how quickly the Nov. 8 election is approaching.
In referring to Bratvold’s comment on Westrom’s less than “overwhelming” proof of residency in the district, Wojtalewicz writes in the appeal that "this conclusion was reached apparently without consideration of some key evidence of the hearing.”
Our readers can review an embedded copy of by clicking on Petitioners in Westrom residency challenge referee's conclusion; his lawyers don't.
But to read Anfinson explanatory prose, we recommend subscribing to the Swift County Monitor, a fine independent rural weekly.
Photo: The Lake Mary domicile at the center of the dispute about where Senator Torrey Westrom lives.
Related posts:
- Will Westrom family support for Rasmusson primary challenger ruffle MNSenate GOP unity
- Petitioners in Westrom residency challenge referee's conclusion; his lawyers don't
- Referee's Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law: Torrey Westrom stays on MN12 ballot
- Westrom residency: an account of the hearing before the Honorable Diane Bratvold
- Westrom residency: Klingbeil thanks intervenor; referee's decision to come no later than Tuesday
- Another MN12 resident moves to intervene in challenge to Westrom residency in district
- MinnPost: if Klingbeil's petition on Westrom's residency prevails, still chance for GOP on ballot
- Swift County Monitor, Black Robe Regiment look into MN12 Westrom non-residency claims
- MN12 Westrom residency challenge: Supreme Court sets August 15 deadline for evidence
- MN12: "We The People" candidate Klingbeil follows through on Westrom residency challenge
- Via personal Facebook page: independent candidate vows to challenge Westrom residency
- MN12: Ashley Klingbeil to challenge Torrey and Dorry from the right for state senate seat
- Will 2020 redistricting plan boundary adjustment get snuck in to let Westrom live in lake house?
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