Democrats want to intervene in Paula Stark’s legal fight to get back on the ballot

The Florida House Democratic Campaign Committee (FHDCC) and Democratic candidates Jorge Figueroa and Anthony Nieves are fighting to join Republican Rep. Paula Stark’s lawsuit to get back on the ballot.

“The granting of the relief sought by the Plaintiffs will substantially affect the candidacies of each of the two Democratic candidates who were deemed to have qualified as candidates for nomination and election for the House of Representatives, District 47, and will impact the resources that the FHDCC will expend in connection with House District 47 election,” said Mark Herron, the Florida Democrats’ chief election lawyer.

But Stark filed a response this week opposing the Democrats’ motion to intervene in her lawsuit against Secretary of State Cord Byrd, Osceola Supervisor of Elections Mary Jane Arrington and Orange County Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel. 

Stark argued the two Democrats, who were the only candidates to qualify in the HD 47 race, have “no direct interest in Plaintiff’s qualifying paperwork.”

“While the Proposed Intervenors allege that declaring Plaintiff as a qualified candidate will substantially affect their candidacies, they offer no explanation as to how their candidacies will be legally affected,” Stark’s filing said.

“The only reason the Proposed Intervenors assert is that declaring Plaintiff as a qualified candidate would somehow impact the resources that the Florida House Democratic Campaign Committee may expend. This speculative concern does not establish the direct and immediate interest needed to warrant intervention.”

Stark’s legal representation includes prominent GOP lawyer Robert Coates.

The Democrats added that the “Secretary of State takes no position with respect to the intervention,” while the lawyers for two Election Supervisors did “not oppose the intervention.”

Stark is suing in Leon Circuit Court after she failed to qualify for the ballot last month.

The St. Cloud Republican said one form she needed to submit was hand-delivered in Tallahassee but was inadvertently returned to her campaign Treasurer and significant other Joel Davis.

Stark argues she should still be allowed to run in HD 47, a seat that Democrats are attempting to flip. The traditionally blue district covers St. Cloud, east Kissimmee and a small portion of Orange County.