Sen. Kostelka challenges Brown
by Greg Hilburn - News Star (excerpt)

State Sen. Bob Kostelka filed a lawsuit in 4th District Court late Thursday afternoon challenging the residency qualifications of Harris Brown of Monroe to run against him in the Oct. 22 election. The trial is set Monday in 4th District Court in Monroe.

Brown, a Republican businessman, qualified last week to run for the Senate District 35 seat against Kostelka, R-Monroe, and Monroe attorney Jeff Guerriero, also a Republican. "We have proof to show that Mr. Brown simply isn't qualified to run," Kostelka said. Brown said he remains confident the court will confirm his candidacy. "We look forward to the hearing Monday and to providing our evidence," Brown said. "We continue to be confident the court will find in favor of my candidacy.

"Career politicians will say anything to keep their political jobs," Brown said. "Sen. Kostelka has a history of rewarding himself with pay raises and benefits at the expense of the taxpayers. He knows he can't win it at the polls, so he's turned it over to the courts. We will dispose of this frivolous filing Monday and let the voters decide, much to his disappointment."