Democrats authorize legal test of Thielen candidacy

The party has sanctioned a challenge of the former Lingle administrator's status despite some misgivings

By Derrick DePledge

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 31, 2012

~~<p>State Democrats have authorized the party to file a legal challenge to prevent Laura Thielen, a director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources under former Gov. Linda Lingle, from running for the state Senate as a Democrat.</p>
<p>The party determined earlier this year that Thielen was ineligible to run as a Democrat because she had not been a member in good standing for at least six months, the requirement to campaign under the party's banner. Thielen, who joined the party in February, asked for an exception to the rule, but was denied.</p>
~~

State Democrats have authorized the party to file a legal challenge to prevent Laura Thielen, a director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources under former Gov. Linda Lingle, from running for the state Senate as a Democrat.

The party determined earlier this year that Thielen was ineligible to run as a Democrat because she had not been a member in good standing for at least six months, the requirement to campaign under the party's banner. Thielen, who joined the party in February, asked for an exception to the rule, but was denied. Login for more...