Jan 6 Reuters -- Oregon election officials told former New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof he can't run for governor of the state because he doesn't meet residency requirements.
The Oregon Elections Division said in a statement that a candidate for governor must have been a resident of the state for three years before the election.
As Oregon's chief election official, it is my responsibility to make sure all candidates on the statewide ballot are qualified to serve, Secretary of State Shemia Fagan said in the statement.
In a separate statement, Kristof said he would challenge this decision in court and would continue running for governor.
If Mr Kristof decides to appeal, the Oregon Elections Division will do everything possible to allow Oregon courts to decide promptly, Deborah Scroggin, Oregon elections director.
In October last year, Kristof announced that he was running for governor, saying he hoped to address systemic social issues in the state where he grew up on his family's sheep and cherry farm.
Kristof, 62, from Yamhill, a rural community in western Oregon, said he would tackle homelessness, poverty, drug addiction and inadequate education if elected.