Olympic Gold Medalist Claims Chris Christie Bullied Him into Withrawing from Senate Race

by: Sky Palma/Americans Against the Tea Party

In yet another problematic development for the scandal-racked Chris Christie administration, Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis has come forward claiming that Christie personally pressured him to withdraw from a senate race against Christie ally, Kim Guadagno.
In 2011, Lewis challenged incumbent Republican Dawn Addiego for her state Senate seat, but Guadagno issued a ruling that declared Lewis did not meet the residency requirement to run, prompting outrage from Democrats. When the case went before a federal appeals panel, Lewis was ultimately denied the ability to run. But now, according to a report from the Huffington Post, Lewis is claiming that Christie personally told him that he was not wanted in the race. -

Lewis said Monday the governor called to dissuade him from running as a Democrat for state Senate in 2011 against Republican Sen. Dawn Addiego (ah-dee-AY’-goh). Lewis says he was told the fitness program they’d been developing wouldn’t materialize if he ran. Lewis says the governor felt the post “was a carrot he could pull away.”

Lewis actually went public with the allegation back in 2011, but at the time Christie’s office said it was a “misunderstanding on Lewis’ part,” adding that the athletic program was “all but dead” anyway.

New Jersey GOP lawmaker resigns after wife’s racist email

By Andrew Jones/Raw Story

A New Jersey lawmaker has resigned from office after his wife delivered a racially charged e-mail to possible campaign opponent and former Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis.

According to Politicker NJ, Republican Pat Delany decided to leave abruptly last month after his wife Jeanie sent an email to the Lewis campaign saying, “Imagine, not having to pay NJ state income taxes...It must be nice. Imagine getting a court ruling overturned so your name could get put on the ballot. Imagine having dark skin and name recognition and the nerve to think that equalled (sic) knowing something about politics.  Sure, knowing someone with fat purse strings is nice, but you have no knowledge."

Later, the wife of the assemblyman added, "Remove my email. To think you STOLE my email and name from a complaint letter. I'm reporting you as SPAM.”

Delany, who was slated to defend his 8th District post this fall, issued a statement on his decision. "I am deeply disappointed in my wife's decision to send that email to Mr. Lewis' campaign; it does not reflect my personal beliefs whatsoever," he said. "In an attempt to repair the serious damage this has caused to our marriage, and to protect our kids from public humiliation, I decided to leave public life.  On behalf of my family, we sincerely apologize to Mr. Lewis for any pain this caused him."

Lewis, a former Olympic champion and world record holder in the 100 meters race, was a former resident of California who has faced legal issues in trying to run for the state senate position. Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Kim Guadagno wrote a letter to U.S. District Judge Noel Hillman to notify him of her decision to not certify the Democratic candidate.