Hopeful can stay on the ballot: judge

ALBANY – A judge has ejected veteran Brooklyn state Sen. Martin Dilan’s lawsuit to toss Democratic primary challenger Julia Salazar off the ballot over residency questions.

Brooklyn state Supreme Court Judge Edgar Walker ruled that Salazar met the New York state requirement that someone running for office live in the state for five consecutive years.

“This failed lawsuit shows just how desperate Sen. Dilan is to deny voters their right to choose who they want to represent them,” said Salazar campaign lawyer Renée Paradis.

Dilan’s lawsuit claimed Salazar in 2016 moved back to Florida, where she used a Sunshine State address to sign up for a new driver’s license after her old one expired in 2012.

During a recent trial, Salazar provided several apartment leases, tax records and pay stubs showing she was a New York resident for the required five years.

Walker ruled that “Salazar “has clearly ‘lived’ in New York” since 2011.

Dilan said Friday morning he plans to appeal the judge’s ruling.