Embattled lawmaker Don Shooter may be cleared to run for state senate, but his challenger has made a last-ditch effort to overturn that ruling.

Brent Backus is one of two Republican candidates running against Shooter for the state senate seat in Legislative District 13, which stretches from Yuma to the western fringe of Metro Phoenix.

In Maricopa County Superior Court. Backus had argued — and lost — his argument that Shooter shouldn't be allowed to represent since he left the district when fellow lawmakers removed him from the state House amid a series of sexual harassment charges.

Backus filed with the state Supreme Court to take a closer look at evidence showing Shooter's family lives outside of the district.

The lower court judge ruled to allow Shooter to run after he showed records of maintain an apartment in Yuma throughout the last year.

The high court will need to rule before the July 5 deadline to print election ballots.

If the court affirms Shooter's right to run, Backus and incumbent Sine Kerr will face off in the Republican primary.