Wichita ? Former state legislator Carlos Mayans can legally use leftover campaign money from that office in his run for Wichita mayor, a Sedgwick County district judge ruled Wednesday.

Judge Paul Buchanan threw out the lawsuit filed by mayoral candidate Joan Cole.

“This decision should sadden the citizens of our community for it places them at a disadvantage when contesting against special interests,” Cole told reporters outside the courtroom.

Mayans said the lawsuit was an attempt by his opponent to discredit him.

The judge’s decision follows two earlier opinions issued by the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission and City Atty. Gary Rebenstorf. Those opinions stated Mayans could use the nearly $72,000 in remaining campaign funds in his bid to become Wichita mayor.

Cole contended Mayans’ campaign funds which included money donated by political action committees and corporations during his legislative races violated a city ordinance prohibiting such contributions in city races.

Cole said she filed the lawsuit only after the mayor and the city council refused to take action against Mayans.