Candidate’s eligibility for office questioned (Democrat Gallup)

Candidate’s eligibility for office questioned

WAILUKU – Legislative candidate Cort Gallup is facing a formal challenge to his eligibility to run for office, on the grounds that he is not a U.S. citizen.

Gallup, who was born in Canada in the Cree tribe, said he believes a federal law that allows Native Americans to cross the border and live in the United States gives him the right to citizenship and the right to hold public office.

“I am a U.S. citizen because I am a Native American,” he said. “I was born as a native of America. Look at the word: ’Native American.’”

But Kihei retiree Steve Riford, who filed the formal challenge, said that while Gallup does seem to be a legal resident of the United States, his status as a Native American does not appear to automatically make him a citizen.

more...

Candidate’s eligibility for office questioned

Wow, what a story. This seems to be an extremely complicated case so I can't really comment on it.

But why question it now? Maybe it is because the Democrat Gallup received more votes than Republican Halford in the Primary.

(R) Halford received 847 votes
(D) Gallup received 870 votes

Now if Gallup defeats Halford in November, he will have taken out the arch-Republican in the House. His views are in lockstep with that of Sen. Sam Slom (R-Hawaii Kai)

It will also signify that the Republicans are starting to lose their stranglehold in South Maui, save the Mayor's posistion. As long as Democrats remain in the hands of developers, Maui will continue to have a Republican mayor.

It is true that many rich individuals are retreating from Orange County and Texas for Maui. However, there is also a large naturalized Canadian and Northern California population here.