Group Seeks to Invalidate Murray’s Win in Primary

A group of residents in the View Park-Windsor Hills area went to court seeking to invalidate Assemblyman Kevin Murray’s victory in the June primary for a state Senate seat, saying that he does not live in the district he seeks to represent.

In papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court this week, Concerned Citizens of the 26th Senate District accused Murray of residing in West Hollywood, outside the 26th Senate District. Murray says he lives in Windsor Hills, within the district.

The group provided copies of a “homestead declaration” filed by Murray with the county in 1991 indicating his principal dwelling was in West Hollywood, along with affidavits from neighbors who stated that Murray’s house on Maymont Drive has been uninhabited and unkempt.

Murray said, “There is absolutely zero legal or factual basis” for the group’s arguments. He said the home on Maymont has been owned by his father since 1962 and has always been his primary residence.

Murray acknowledged that he owns property in West Hollywood and uses the condominium as a private office. He said the exterior and yard of the Maymont house have appeared neglected because he is a bachelor who spends most of his time in Sacramento.

Murray attributed the allegations about his residency to supporters of his opponent in the race, Marguerite Archie-Hudson.

The citizens’ group have asked the court to name Archie-Hudson the Democratic nominee in the Senate race and declare Murray’s Assembly seat vacant.

Murray’s attorneys filed a response Wednesday, calling the allegations “irrelevant, immaterial and without legal merit.”

A spokeswoman for the secretary of state said that state law requires that legislative candidates live in their districts for one year before an election.