A judge on Tuesday allowed contested Green Party candidates to remain on the November ballot in Arizona, denying a request that they be kicked off because Republicans allegedly recruited them.

A jailed Green Party nominee who withdrew from the Corporation Commission race and then revoked his withdrawal moments later was disqualified to run for office, a judge ruled Sept. 14.

Former lawmaker Steve May announced Sept. 13 he is terminating his campaign for the House in Legislative District 17. May got on the November ballot after winning a spot in the primary as a write-in candidate. His presence as a Republican in the swing district that spans Tempe and Scottsdale posed a threat to two Democratic challengers.

The openly gay former lawmaker gained recent headlines for his brazen acknowledgement that he helped four "street people" get on the ballot as Green Party candidates.

RELATED: May's recruit drops out after arrest - then doubles back

Eleven write-in candidates won the Green Party nomination in August, including a handful of “street people” who exploited a little-known loophole that allowed them to win the primary with only one vote. Now, some of those candidates, whom Democrats allege were recruited by Republicans, threaten to take votes from Democrats in key races.

A federal judge ruled that a slate of alleged "sham" Green Party write-in candidates can stay on the ballot.

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Campaigning as a write-in candidate is much like starting a marathon a couple of hours after all of the other runners — you can win, but only if you’ve got strong legs, a solid support team and a whole lot of luck.