Feliciano takes oath of office the same day lawsuit against her eligibility is filed

Leslie Feliciano takes the oath of office of county commissioners from Strafford Superior Court Judge Andrew B. Livernois during Thursday morning seearing-in ceremony at Strafford Superior Court in Dover (Rochester Voice photo)

DOVER - Strafford County Commissioners welcomed Leslie Feliciano to the county board on Thursday, the same day a civil suit questioning her eligibility for the seat was officially filed in Strafford Superior Court.
State rep Glenn Bailey, R-Milton, actually filed the suit on Wednesday, asking that Feliciano's swearing-in ceremony be delayed until an investigation by the state Department of Justice is completed, however the court did not officially file the request for a temporary restraining order on the swearing in until Thursday.
Feliciano officially began her role as District 1 commissioner around 9 a.m. amid a crowd of family, friends and fellow commissioners George Maglaras and Sean Leavitt.
In Bailey's court filing he said that the election complaint questioning her domicile eligibility had been filed to the Department of Justice on Oct. 4.
"Leslie Ann Feliciano allegedly claimed domicile in Farmington to file for an open position of a county commissioner in district 1 Strafford county," according to the complaint. "Swearing Feliciano in while an investigation is under way causes "irreparable harm ... and undermines legislative integrity and public trust."

Allegations by Republicans claim that Feliciano was a resident of the city of Dover at the time of her filing.

Bailey also argued in court paperwork that the Strafford County Delegation met on Oct. 14 where it was explicitly discussed that a Department of Justice investigation remained under way, and the delegation voted to appoint her anyway.
Feliciano, who listed her party affiliation as Republican to The Rochester Voice, won the appointment in a delegation vote 18-8 over Republican Susan Rice.
It should be noted that Democrats have a solid majority in the Strafford Delegation.

Feliciano told The Rochester Voice today that she knows who filed the initial complaint and believes it may have been for "ulterior motives."
"I was sworn in as the Strafford County commissioner of District 1, where I grew up and raised my children," she said. "I look forward to working with the people of my district where I live and have great pride. I am looking forward to listening to them and their voice while working hard with the delegation in a positive manner. I will lead with my heart and great passion for my constituents."

Maglaras, the Strafford County Commissioners chair, called the claims by Bailey unfounded.

"I believe the complaint is highly political and has no merit," he told The Rochester Voice on Thursday.
In Bailey's court filing, he urged that Feliciano should be barred from being given the oath of office until the eligibility issue is resolved with the Department of Justice.
With the swearing-in already completed, the next steps will likely be shaped by the DOJ's findings.