The Democratic Party of Virginia has certified Mike Signer as a candidate for the nomination for lieutenant governor despite the fact that some of his qualifying petitions were in error.
This came Tuesday after the State Board of Elections advised C. Richard Cranwell, chairman of the party, that a notary public made the error, not the Signer campaign, so the Signer campaign should not be penalized.
The Signer campaign blamed a "technical error by a campaign staffer."
Elisabeth Pearson, campaign manager for one of Signer's Democratic opponents, Jody Wagner of Virginia Beach, said she understood the difficult decision the state party and Cranwell had to make, but "Mike Signer's campaign broke the rules while submitting their petition signatures and should take responsibility for doing so."
"The fact is this was an organizational error that was avoided by every other campaign in the state," Pearson added.
She said the campaign would abide by the party's decision.
Yesterday was the deadline for party chairmen to certify the names of qualified candidates to the State Board of Elections.
Signer, a party activist from Arlington County and a deputy counselor to then-Gov. Mark R. Warner, submitted more than 13,000 signatures, but nearly 4,000 names lacked a street address for the circulator of the petition; the circulator was listed only as being from Richmond. The names must be accompanied by an affidavit approved by a notary public.
Also seeking the Democratic nomination to run for lieutenant governor in a June 9 primary is Jon Bowerbank, a Russell County elected official and businessman.
Cranwell certified the names of all seven statewide candidates, including three for governor. Because he is unopposed for the nomination, Del. Stephen C. Shannon of Fairfax will be the party's candidate for attorney general. His name will not be on the ballot June 9.
Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.
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