Charlie Earl, Libertarian for Governor
Via Ballot Access News:
February 5 was the Ohio deadline for candidates seeking a place on a primary ballot this year. This story mentions the statewide candidates who filed. It appears the Libertarian Party is running a full slate for the statewide partisan races (there is no U.S. Senate race this year in Ohio). The Green Party has only one statewide entry, a joint ticket for Governor/Lieutenant Governor.
Although no Socialist Party filed for statewide office, a Socialist filed to run for U.S. House in the Ninth District. It is not known whether anyone filed to run in the Constitution Party primary.
Ohio permits write-ins in primaries, so parties could potentially run more candidates if they obtain enough write-ins in the primary. Statewide write-in candidates need 500 votes, and district candidates need 25. The primary is May 6.
The Ohio Secretary of State’s Office released this press release:
SECRETARY OF STATE JON HUSTED RECEIVES STATEWIDE CANDIDATE PETITIONS FOR MAY PRIMARY
COLUMBUS – Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted today announced the complete list of candidates who filed with his office to run for statewide offices. Candidates filing petitions include:
Attorney General
Mike DeWine (R)
Steven R. Linnabary (L)
David Pepper (D)Auditor of State
John Patrick Carney (D)
Robert C. Coogan (L)
David A. Yost (R)Governor/Lt. Governor
Larry Ealy/Ken Gray (D)
Charles R. Earl/Sherry L. Clark (L)
Edward D. FitzGerald/Sharen Neuhardt (D)
John Kasich/Mary Taylor (R)
Dennis S. Spisak/Suzanne Patzer (G)Secretary of State
Aaron Keith Harris (L)
Jon Husted (R)
Nina Turner (D)Supreme Court
Judi French (R) – Term Commencing 1/2/15
Sharon L. Kennedy (R) – Term Commencing 1/1/15
Tom Letson (D) – Term Commencing 1/1/15
John P. O’Donnell (D) – Term Commencing 1/2/15Treasurer of State
Marc Allan Feldman (L)
Josh Mandel (R)
Connie Pillich (D)The Secretary of State’s office will process and catalog the petitions prior to sending them to the county boards of elections, which are tasked with verifying that the signatures collected represent qualified electors of Ohio who are registered at the address provided. County boards have been instructed to complete their review of statewide candidate petitions by Friday, February 14, 2014.
To qualify for the ballot, candidates must have collected a certain number of signatures from qualified electors. Major party candidates need 1,000 signatures and minor party candidates need 500 signatures.
Additional Information
Directive 2014-02 – Examination and Verification of Statewide Candidate Petitions
They still have to get a lot of signatures to get on their own primary, but that’s a lot easier than getting a party on.
Looks like they will not retain access for 2016 no matter what happens with the new law.
There have been some, yes.
I believe the minor parties were placed on the ballot by court order, so I’m not sure if there is a vote test that they have to meet. Again, this is a question for Mr. Winger.
Hmmmm, if the CP doesn’t run any candidates for state or congressional office in Ohio, would they be able to maintain ballot access for 2016 then? Even if that new election law never gets legally implemented?
I believe they had some Ohio CP candidates on the ballot before. At least, I know petitioners who were hired to get them signatures.
The Constitution Party has never been overly active in non-presidential races, except for a few states like Nevada, Missouri, Michigan, etc.
Especially on the LP side, although I’m glad Spisak filed as well to give the voters a fuller range of choices.
It looks like the people in Ohio will have some good choices to make in May!
Another symptom of their decline as a national party.
Can’t find the CP with a search warrant in Ohio.
Does not bode well for them being on the 2016 Ohio ballot as a result of 2014.
Any Ohio CP’ers running?
Former state representative Charlie Earl is going to make this race REALLY interesting. I’d put this race on the same level as the Virginia Senate contest with Robert Sarvis.
Laying great groundwork for 2016.