Pennsylvania Republicans challenge libertarian, tea party candidates
By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA
roarty@politicspa.com
Republicans with the help of the state GOP challenged the ballot placement of four third-party candidates, including libertarians and tea partiers, running for statewide office in a court motion filed with the Department of State on Monday.
The tactic appears to be an attempt to prevent the right-leaning candidates from siphoning votes from GOP gubernatorial nominee Tom Corbett and U.S. Senate nominee Pat Toomey.
Walter Zimolong, who appears to be chairman of the Philadelphia Federation of Young Republicans, Mia Semuta and Dave Feidt filed petition challenges with the DOS against the third-party candidates.
Their challenges include motions against libertarian candidates Doug Jamison, for U.S. Senate, Marakay Rogers, for governor, and Kat Valleley, for lieutenant governor. They are also challenging the ballot placement of John Krupa, a tea party candidate for governor.
Mike Barley, spokesman for the state Republican Party, said party officials helped the three challengers research the petitions but did not instruct them to file any court motions.
"We can't tell anybody to do anything, especially when it comes to a legal challenge," Barley said. "But were we helpful? Absolutely, and we'll continue to be helpful."
Barley said the party is confident the third-party candidates will be kicked off the ballot.
"The evidence we've seen looks pretty overwhelming," he said.
http://www.politicspa.com/politicspa-repub...
Posted By: Steve Williams
Wednesday, September 1st 2010 at 1:22PM
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