Posted on 02/23/2006 8:37:06 AM PST by HuntsvilleTxVeteran
Embarrassment: Dem Front-Runner Disqualified for Ohio Ballot By Susan Jones CNSNews.com Senior Editor February 23, 2006
(CNSNews.com) -- In what Republicans are calling a "high-profile gaffe," a Democrat running for Congress in Ohio's 6th Congressional District has been disqualified from running in the Democratic primary.
State Sen. Charlie Wilson failed to get the minimum number of petition signatures, election officials said on Wednesday.
To qualify for the May 2 primary ballot, Wilson needed 50 signatures of registered Democratic voters, and although he submitted 96 signatures a few days before the filing deadline, only 46 were found to be valid, elections officials said. (Many of the signatures were from Democrats who live outside the 6th District, press reports said.)
The Columbiana County Board of Elections' decision to disqualify him "represents a major setback for National Democrats in their efforts to hold on to one of the country's most vulnerable open seats," the National Republican Congressional Committee said.
"Charlie Wilson has proven he's either habitually careless, or simply doesn't believe he has to play by the same rules that every other Ohioan has to -- that he's above the law," said NRCC spokesman Ed Patru. "Either way, Charlie Wilson's actions are unacceptable for someone pursuing the public trust."
The NRCC said Wilson's disqualification is a "colossal failure" for Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rahm Emanuel, whose political action committee gave Wilson a $2,000 last fall.
"In addition, Rep. Emanuel has gone to great lengths to boast of his party's prospects in Ohio, saying as recently as this week that, 'Ohio is ground zero for voters who want real change from the status quo and ethical scandals in government,'" the NRCC noted.
"In good faith, I submitted more than enough valid signatures to the board of elections, so I am obviously disappointed with this decision today," Wilson said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon.
"I am exploring a number of options, and am confident that in November I will be on the ballot and I will win the privilege and responsibility of representing Ohio families in Congress."
Wilson could run as a write-in candidate or as an Independent in the May 2 primary election. Two other Democrats will appear on the ballot, but Wilson was considered the front-runner.
He is running for the seat now occupied by Rep. Ted Strickland, a Democrat who is running for Ohio governor.
On the Republican side, Chuck Blasdel, the Ohio House Speaker pro tempore, is expected to win his party's nomination in Ohio's 6th District.
Given Wilson's unexpected disqualification, Congressional Quarterly on Wednesday said it is changing its election forecast to "No Clear Favorite" from "Leans Democratic."
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Maybe he didn't read the decision.
LOL
Careful, these are the people who could be running the House next year.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
We have the seat. The question is, can we hold it?
No, you didn't..............
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
He should move to Washington State and run here. Voter fraud and election crimes are encouraged by both parties here. Anyone in serious doubt about this can read all about it at soundpolitics.org. Make sure you've waited a couple of hours after you've eaten, though.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Article says the Dems hold the seat now.
"He should move to Washington State"...Nah...Joysee....They REALLY know how to do it there...prison,ineligible..it don't count there.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
"He is running for the seat now occupied by Rep. Ted Strickland, a Democrat who is running for Ohio governor."
This was what I was going on.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
I think Independents require petitions and signatures too. Of course, he can be written in, but to have his name on the ballot, I think he needs signatures. And if memory serves me, I think he needs a lot more signatures to run as an independent than as a major party candidate.
Maybe he just doesn't know what the word "valid" means.
Like they said about the Dims, in the wake of Palm Beach in '00, "You live by the stupid, you die by the stupid!"
It was obviously a VRWC plot against him..........
Doh. You are right. I had better stick to California. :)
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