Saturday, February 18, 2006
The congressional candidate called the petition issue a 'nightmare.'
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
LISBON -- State Sen. Charles A. Wilson Jr. said he has just enough valid signatures on his nominating petitions to remain a Democratic candidate for the 6th Congressional District primary.
Wilson, of St. Clairsville, said his petitions have 50 valid signatures, the minimum needed for congressional candidates to get on the primary ballot.
Wilson's petitions had 96 signatures, all from Belmont and Scioto counties. Those counties are split into two congressional districts, and 43 of the 96 signatures on Wilson's petitions came from voters who live in other congressional districts.
Wilson said he has 43 valid signatures from Belmont and seven from Scioto on his petitions. Nancy Shepherd, Scioto County Board of Elections director, confirmed Wilson has seven valid signatures from her county.
Sent to Columbiana County
William Shubat, Belmont County Board of Elections director, refused to say how many valid signatures from his county are on Wilson's petitions. Shubat said he mailed them Friday to the Columbiana County Board of Elections, which collects nominating petitions for this position.
John Payne, Columbiana County Board of Elections director, said he went out of his way to not ask Shubat how many valid signatures from Belmont are on Wilson's petitions.
The Columbiana elections board will meet Wednesday to certify the May 2 ballot.
"I'm confident I've got 50, but we're almost going to have to wait until Wednesday to see whether I'm there or not," Wilson said.
Wilson said he forgot that his home county of Belmont and Scioto are split congressional counties. In hindsight, Wilson said his campaign should have collected signatures in other counties.
"This thing has been a nightmare and there's no way it should have been as close as it became," he said. "We won't make that mistake again."
Possible outcomes
If the Columbiana board certifies Wilson's petitions, a protest could be filed by Feb. 27. If the board upholds Wilson's eligibility after a protest, an objector could seek relief from the court of appeals.
If the board disqualifies Wilson, he can file as an independent candidate for the congressional seat in the November general election, said James Lee, a spokesman for the Ohio Secretary of State's Office.
Payne contacted Wilson's campaign when the valid signature problem was discovered. Payne told Wilson's campaign to submit a letter asking that the first petitions be withdrawn and replaced by a second set.
That was done, but it was not a legally permissible option, Lee said. The state Legislature passed a law in late 2002 that overturned that option, he said.
Payne and Wilson, who voted in favor of the law, said they weren't aware of it.
The law states candidates are not permitted to withdraw petitions after filing them, and "no alterations, corrections or additions may be made to a petition after it is filed."
skolnick@vindy.com