MARK SCOLFORO
Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Pennsylvania judge says former Pennsylvania House speaker Bill DeWeese can't run for his old district because he's serving a prison sentence for public corruption convictions.
Commonwealth Court Judge Bernard McGinley ruled late Friday that DeWeese may not run in the November election.
He says the state Democratic Party can replace him on the ballot.
During a teleconference earlier this week, DeWeese's lawyer told McGinley it was premature to rule because DeWeese is pursuing appeals and might be eligible by the time the ballots are cast.
The 62-year-old DeWeese is serving a 2½- to 5-year sentence at a state prison in northeastern Pennsylvania.
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