Challenger Neil Makhija learned Friday that a petition was filed with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania to remove his name from the ballot for the upcoming election to be held in November.

Makhija, 29, a Carbon County native, is a Democrat running for state representative in the 122nd Legislative District. He's facing incumbent state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, for the seat.The petition was brought by Bryan Price of Jim Thorpe and Michael Spairana Jr. of Palmerton, who is also the fire chief at Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Department.The petition was filed on Feb. 23 by Lawrence Tabas, an attorney and partner in the Philadelphia law firm Obermayer, Rebmann, Maxwell and Hippel. According to the firm's website, Tabas currently serves as general counsel of the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania and counsel of the Pennsylvania House Republican Campaign Committee.At issue in the petition is Makhija's residency status.The petition states Makhija is not eligible because he has not been a resident of Carbon County for four consecutive years before running for state representative.As proof, the petition exhibits Makhija's voter registration records in Massachusetts in 2012 and 2014.The petition contends that not only was Makhija a resident of Massachusetts based on voter registration records, but also is still considered a resident. As proof, they provide an exhibit from the website of William Francis Galvin, secretary ofMassachusetts, showing a record of data from a "city and town election department.""This is politics as usual," Makhija said. "I'm born and raised in Carbon County. I was only ever a student."During the time referred to in the petition, Makhija was studying law at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts."They want the election to be unopposed," Makhija said. "Heffley's just trying to knock me out. It's just bullying."About the petition, Heffley said, "Objections were made on the residency issue from what I understand. It's in the courts now. We're focused on getting legislation passed and getting our campaign geared up."As far as Price and Spairana, a message was left on Price's answering machine, but had not been returned at press time.Spairana was reached by telephone, butdeclined to make a comment about the petition, issue or Makhija."It's a dream of mine to be able to serve," Makhija said. "I just want to be able to go and clean up the mess in Harrisburg."Through gaining about 1,000 names on a petition, Makhija was able to get his name on the ballot. He said he went knocking on doors and garnered help from supporters."People want new blood, new ideas," he said. "I think we need a fair and honest debate about the future of Carbon County."