Challenge Against N. Miami Mayor's Residency Dismissed

NORTH MIAMI (CBSMiami) –  The North Miami mayor will remain mayor of the city after a decision by Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Jorge Cueto.

The candidate who ran against Tondreau, Kevin Burns, filed a lawsuit, in part, because he believed her residency in North Miami was in question.

Judge Cueto entered a Final Order of Dismissal with prejudice, Saturday, on the case that challenged Mayor Lucie Tondreau's residency.

With the judge's ruling, North Miami's elections and their outcome that were held in May and a run-off in June will stand, for now.

The judge said in the court documents:

"This Court finds that a court's jurisdiction to review a candidate's qualifications to run for office lapses once that candidate is elected into office."

Mayor Tondreau said in a press release to CBS4 News, she "is ecstatic that the courts have ruled that the election was fair.  I have been elected by the people of our city to provide leadership for all of our residents and businesses.  I call upon everyone, including my former opponents, to work together with me to improve, enhance, and grow the City of North Miami and further our status as an All-America City -- a city of progress and smart growth.  There is strength in unity and it's time to unite and move forward."

Burns told CBS4, he plans to appeal.