Arizona Democrat running for Trent Franks’ seat has enough signatures
Jan 22, 2018, 3:01 PM
(AP File Photo)
PHOENIX — Maricopa County elections officials said Monday one Democratic congressional candidate had enough valid signatures to qualify for an upcoming special election.
Brianna Westbrook had 669 petition signatures, the county recorder’s office said, while another Democrat, Gene Scharer had 353.
Candidates must have 665 or more authenticated inscriptions to be placed on the ballot for the special election for Congressional District 8, a federal seat formerly held by Republican Trent Franks.
The signatures had been challenged by a backer of Dr. Hiral Tipirneni, another Democrat in the race, along with a dozen Republicans.
A court hearing was scheduled Tuesday on the legal challenge to the signatures. The deadline to file candidate petition challenges was Jan. 18.
Ballots to overseas military voters have already been mailed. Federal law requires ballots to servicemembers be sent 45 days before the election. The timing spills into the state law that allows a challenge of qualifying petitions.
The primary is Feb. 27; the general election was set for April 24.
County Recorder Adrian Fontes said he asked the U.S. Department of Justice to waive the 45-day requirement but was turned down.
The seat came open after Franks resigned in December after admitting he talked to staffers about acting as a surrogate mother for him and his wife.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.