Topeka ? Top Kansas officials are letting a former state lawmaker remain on the ballot as he seeks to return to the House, rejecting a claim that he doesn’t live in his district.

The State Objections Board ruled Thursday for former House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, of Wichita. Sawyer is the Democratic nominee in the 95th House District. A tea party leader had objected to Sawyer’s candidacy.

The objections board is made up of the secretary of state, attorney general and lieutenant governor.

Kansans for Liberty President Craig Gabel questioned whether Sawyer lived at the address he listed in filing for office. But Sawyer owns the property and has been registered to vote there since 1993.

Sawyer, who also ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1998, faces freshman Republican Rep. Bennie Boman in November.