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发帖数: 2273 | 1 Washington (CNN) -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich failed to collect
enough signatures to appear on the Virginia primary ballot, the Republican
Party of Virginia announced Saturday morning, leaving the longtime Virginia
resident without a place on the state's ballot and raising questions about
his campaign's organization.
Gingrich, as well as Texas Gov. Rick Perry, did not meet the state's
requirement of 10,000 signatures and, therefore, did not qualify for the
ballot, the Virginia GOP said via Twitter.
The state GOP announced Perry's failure to qualify late Friday.
Gingrich's campaign responded with some strong words in a statement Saturday
, saying, the process to qualify for the ballot "a failed system."
"Voters deserve the right to vote for any top contender, especially leading
candidates," campaign director Michael Krull said in the statement. "We will
work with the Republican Party of Virginia to pursue an aggressive write-in
campaign to make sure that all the voters of Virginia are able to vote for
the candidate of their choice."
The news from the Virginia Republicans is a significant setback for Gingrich
, who clamored earlier this week to gather enough voter signatures in the
state. Gingrich utilized paid staffers to comb Virginia, asking voters to
sign petitions that would allow him a place on the ballot.
On Wednesday, Gingrich assured a crowd of supporters he had met the
threshold for appearing on the ballot, saying he had gathered anywhere from
12,000-14,000 signatures.
Virginia requires candidates to obtain 10,000 signatures from registered
voters, with 400 signatures coming from each of the commonwealth's eleven
congressional districts.
Gingrich's spokesman said Wednesday the effort to secure a spot on the
Virginia ballot was meant to showcase the campaign's ground game.
"It's a demonstration that Gingrich is outrunning Romney in states beyond
Iowa," said press secretary R.C. Hammond.
Gingrich and his wife Callista have resided in McLean, Virginia, a wealthy
suburb of Washington, for several years. Callista is active in Northern
Virginia organizations, including playing the French horn in a Fairfax,
Virginia band.
Gingrich and Perry were among four candidates who submitted ballot petitions
to the Virginia State Board of Elections on Thursday, which was the
deadline to file. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Rep. Ron
Paul also submitted petitions.
The state party spent Friday verifying that the submitted petitions met the
requirements to appear on the ballot. The Virginia GOP said on its Twitter
page Friday that Romney and Paul had both submitted enough signatures to
appear on the ballot.
Virginia holds its Republican primary on March 6. At stake in the primary
are 49 delegates. |
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