Politico reports here that Newt Gingrich said publicly that he is “scrambling” to finish his petition in Virginia to be on the Republican presidential primary ballot. Virginia requires 10,000 signatures for all presidential primary candidates, more than twice as many as any other state for mandatory presidential primary access. The deadline is December 22.
Earlier this year, a bill was introduced in the Virginia legislature by a Democrat to cut the requirement in half, but the bill did not pass the legislature. Thanks to Bill Van Allen for the link.
Nice to see Republicants having to scramble for signatures like the rest of us little people. So how does it feel, elitist? Sounds like Gingrich is quite the leader with his campaign organization.
It’s hard to wish failure on anyone when it comes to ballot access, but the Newtered Grinch comes close to evoking that sentiment.
Didn’t it used to be even higher than 10,000?
No, Virginia first had a presidential primary in 1988, and had easier requirements that year. Anyone was on automatically if he or she (1) qualified for primary season matching funds; (2) was discussed in the major news media; (3) submitted a petition of about 16,000 signatures (one-half of 1% of the registered voters). Obviously the existence of alternatives (1) and (2) meant the 1988 requirements were easier.
Virginia didn’t have presidential primaries after 1988, until 2000 when they started up again, and in 2000 and since then the 10,000 requirement has been in force for all candidates.
I don’t think he’ll fall short in any state unless he drops out before filing. And if he does fall short I think he’ll just be forced onto the ballot one way or another. This is just another story to feed his self styled comeback kid narrative.
I hope I’m never in the same room in which Newt Gingrich “scrambles,” and if I am that he is fully clothed.