Lawsuit challenging Republican’s standing in Boone County state Senate district dismissed

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Cole County judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit challenging the status of a Republican candidate for a local state Senate seat.

Judge Jon Beeterm dismissed the case brought by Stephen Webber against the Republican Senatorial Committee for the 19th District without prejudice, according to online court records, meaning the case can be brought back later.

Webber, a Democrat seeking the 19th Senate District seat covering Boone County, was trying to get Republican James Coyne removed from the August primary ballot. Winning the August party primary is necessary to advance to the November general election.

Beetem ruled that because Webber would not be running against each other in August, he did not have standing to bring the lawsuit. The ruling was similar to one issued last month turning down Webber's request for a temporary order to keep Coyne off the ballot.

The Missouri Republican Party had joined the lawsuit on Coyne's side, saying Webber was trying to use the courts to manipulate the election.