Darin MitchellPHOENIX (CBS5/AP) -
A state appellate court is blocking a trial judge's order that a Republican legislative nominee's name be removed from the general election ballot.
A Court of Appeals panel's order Tuesday blocks a judge's ruling that Darin Mitchell doesn't live in the southwestern Arizona district where he's running for one of two state House seats.
Maricopa County Registers Office and the Supreme Court confirmed that Mitchell remains on the ballot that was printed about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Judge Robert Oberbillig of Maricopa County Superior Court on Monday ruled Mitchell ineligible following a hearing on a challenge filed by state Rep. Russ Jones of Yuma. [Click here to read the full decision (PDF).]
Jones lost in the Republican primary to Mitchell and state Rep. Steve Montenegro of Litchfield Park in the race for two House seats in Republican-leaning District 13.
No Democrat is running in that race.
The Litchfield Park home is owned by supporters of Mitchell and is being remodeled.
Mitchell previously listed his residence as his girlfriend's home in a neighboring legislative district that leans Democratic.
Copyright 2012 CBS 5 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
