Perry challenges Virginia ballot rules
(CNN) - Rick Perry, whose campaign suffered a blow when the Republican Party of Virginia rejected its petition to appear on the state's primary ballot, challenged the "constitutional validity" of the ballot rules Tuesday.
Perry's campaign filed suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District, saying the statutes in Virginia law regulating access to the primary ballot were "among the most onerous in the nation and severely restrict who may obtain petition signatures."
Perry was one of four candidates to submit petitions to the Virginia elections board in the hopes of appearing on the state's GOP primary ballot. Candidates are required to obtain 10,000 signatures from registered voters, and must ensure that 400 signatures come from each of Virginia's 11 congressional districts.
After combing through Perry's petitions, the Republican Party of Virginia determined that they didn't meet the requirements. The board also rejected former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's petitions.
Perry's campaign said the restrictive access to the ballot would wind up hurting Virginia voters.
"Gov. Perry greatly respects the citizens and history of the Commonwealth of Virginia and believes Virginia Republicans should have greater access to vote for one of the several candidates for President of the United States," Perry campaign communications director Ray Sullivan said in a statement.
Gingrich's campaign said they were also looking into legal recourse following the Virginia decision. Initially, Gingrich's organization announced they were pursuing a write-in campaign, but further analysis of Virginia state law determined that write-ins were prohibited in primary elections.
Speaking Tuesday to CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Gingrich said the rules were complicated, but that the failure to get on the Virginia ballot was ultimately a blunder.
"This was a mistake. And we feel badly about it. I think it will be the only state that we're not on the ballot," Gingrich said.
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Why cant this guy understand that nobody likes him. THAT'S why he couldn't get on the ballot.
He's now running to the U.S. court system. Doesn't he rail against gov'ment! hehe
There is nothing unconstitutional about it. The decision to use the primary ballot for presidential elections was passed in 1988. There hasn't been a problem since...at least until these two clowns Gingrich and Perry came along and fumbled the ball.
I can hearing the whining from here, "Does the law really apply to me, Mr. Judge. How could it, I am a Govnor"
Perry needs to stop whining and respect the state's rights. It would be unamerican for activist judges to legislate from the bench on an issue like this.
Interesting how the GOP screams state's rights - until ot is not convenient for them and then they want the federal government involved. If a judge's ruling is one we don't lile, can we haul the judge before Comgress to explain the rulong?
Cry babies!
Should have thought about organizing in Va sooner. It's been that way since the 1950's!
You both need to be off all ballots across the nation!!!!
Wait what?!? Rick Perry the champion of states rights is challenging Virgina's states right!! How can this be? So he's all for states rights except when they apply to him? Lets see, what words come to mind, Hypocrite, Liar or just Idiot because his organization doesn't seem to know how to read the requirements.
How much is this lawsuit going to cost VA Taxpayers? I think this mishap, which has only happened to two campaigns, speaks more about the campaign than the VA law. If you can't follow the law in a primary, how can you read a country? Be more accountable!!
geez, does it really matter that he's not on the ballot there? does he really think he has a chance? daytime tv host, that's what you should do. the afternoon time slots would be a goldmine for a "good lookin' devil" (bill clinton) like you. you could take over from regis. the ladies would love you.
So, now Mr. "states rights" Perry wants to sue a state because it's primary rules are "unconstitutional"???
"Hypocrite, remove the beam from thine own eye..."
And because YOU didn't follow the law like others did, the law must be bad. Typical....
Republicans hate lawyers until they need them. Surprise! Is anyone surprised by the hypocrisy anymore?
They should change their slogan:
Republicans: We can't understand people's opinion on something until it happens to us.
How's it feel to be on the short end. Discrimination sucks!!!
It must be nice to have the people of Texas pay your legal teams expenses .
Legality and irresponsibility , early bird gets the worm , you snooze you loose !
Rick Perry , a Fist Full of Dollars or the Good , the Bad and the Corndog " Iowa " ?
And yet– other candidates get on the ballot.
I also find this ironic, given Republican mockery of similar Democrat complaints.
of course the rules don't apply to this idiot
Perry is such a loser it won't make any difference whether or not he is on the ballot in Virginia. He needs to pick up his marbles and go home. He can take the Newt with him.
What a bunch of crybaby whiners Perry and Gingrich are.
What happened to personal responsibility fellas? Romney
and Paul got their signatures in. Why do these incompetents think they
should be afforded special privileges? Typical.
Is this another Oops? First Perry can't remember what agency he would cut if he was President. Now you want to sue the State of Virginia because you didn't comply with their laws. Is your next oops going to be a Nixon presidency where you make your own rules regardless what the law says? If you can't remember or don't know what you are doing, President of the US is not the game you should be playing.
It ain't Texas Ricky-Poo.
There's irony for you. Governor Ricky was complicit in voter suppression legislation here in Texas and now he says it's not right to make it difficult to participate in elections.
Et tu, Ricky?
I guess the only time that 'State's Rights' menas anything to Perry is when he is not on the short end of them!
So he's pro State's rights unless he doesn't agree with what a State has done?