Democrat Submits Papers In Residency Dispute With Pa. Senate GOP

Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Lawyers for a woman newly elected to Pennsylvania's Senate say documents they submitted to the top Republican senator should address any concerns that she doesn't meet residency requirements to serve in the chamber.

Democrat Lindsey Williams' lawyers submitted a 97-page package Monday to Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, whose office is reviewing it.

Republicans are threatening to bar Williams from taking her seat. That could force a special election and give Republicans another shot at keeping the Pittsburgh-area seat that Williams won narrowly in November's election.

RELATED STORIES:

• Pa. Senate GOP Puts New Democrat's Residency Debate Into Motion
• Republicans File Petition To Remove Democrat From Ballot In Contentious Pa. Senate Race
• Pa. Senate Candidates Exchange Heated Words, Republican Accuses Democrat Of Being A Socialist
• Lindsey Williams Claims Victory In District 38 State Senate Race
• 'A Really Good Day For Women In Politics': Pa. Women Make History During Midterm Election

In the paperwork, Williams' lawyers contend that she had begun staying with Pittsburgh-area friends in time to meet a constitutional requirement that senators be "citizens and inhabitants" of Pennsylvania for four years before they're elected.

Williams, a Pennsylvania native, was moving from Maryland.

(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)