NEW ORLEANS -- A New Orleans school board member is asking a federal appeals court to overturn his disqualification from a Louisiana congressional race.

WWL-TV

Jimmy Fahrenholtz

James Fahrenholtz claims it was unconstitutional for a state judge to remove him from the September 6 Democratic primary ballot for the 2nd Congressional District.

Civil District Judge Nadine Ramsey disqualified Fahrenholtz because he falsely certified on his candidacy notice that he doesn't owe any campaign fines or fees.

Fahrenholtz doesn't dispute that he owes roughly $15,000 in fines and fees for failing to file timely campaign finance reports. But he says state campaign finance laws do not apply to congressional candidates.

A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Fahrenholtz's case was resolved in state court. On Friday, Fahrenholtz asked the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review that decision.

Fahrenholtz was one of a dozen candidates who signed up to challenge Representative William Jefferson.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)