FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter ruled Rep. Nima Kulkarni, D-Louisville, can remain a candidate in the Democratic primary in House District 40, pausing a Court of Appeals ruling that would disqualify her candidacy. 

This allows the Democratic primary in House District 40 to proceed as scheduled. However, the order said the Jefferson County Board of Elections, Kentucky Board of Elections and the Secretary of State cannot certify the race’s results until the Supreme Court decides whether Kulkarni remains an eligible candidate.

Former state legislator Dennis Horlander filed a petition in March to keep Kulkarni off the ballot because of the validity of her nomination papers. One of her two required witnesses, Sharon LaRue, signed Kulkarni’s nomination form as a registered Republican before the Jan. 5 deadline to file nomination papers had closed. Horlander argued because Kulkarni’s nomination form was not signed by two registered voters of her party, she should be disqualified. 

The Jefferson Circuit Court denied the petition before the Kentucky Court of Appeals reversed the decision May 15. Kulkarni then filed a motion requesting a discretionary review of the opinion, which VanMeter granted May 20.

VanMeter requested both parties file briefs by May 31 at 5 p.m. Oral arguments will be heard June 6 at 9 a.m. in Frankfort.

Kulkarni is seeking her fourth term and faces William Zeitz.