Hearing to determine Barnes’ eligibility

POTEAU—A hearing will be held Friday morning at the state capitol to determine Traci Barnes’ eligibility to run for the state house of representatives.

Two other candidates, Jake Leming and Matt Webb protested Barnes was not eligible to run for the house seat because her residence is west of Wister and out of the region.

Barnes said she believes her spot in the race is safe because she also has a residence in an apartment at the Day’s Inn that she splits her time in.

“That’s not what I filed under,” Barnes said of her house. “I have been here and voted here for 20 years. I hope it plays out my way. I can’t see how it wouldn’t.

“But you never know when you go to trial.”

Barnes was a late applicant to the race, registering at the last moment. But it was something she thought about for a long time and wanted to do. Barnes also checked with her attorney a month of so before filing.

Leming said he believed Barnes was not eligible to run because her residence is near Fanshawe.

“We’re going to have a hearing on Friday,” he said. “The online rules are a little vague. To run for the house position you have to be a register voter for the six months immediately prior to the filing period. I definitely have some questions about it.”