Yesterday was the first day Virginia candidates for Congress and U.S. Senate could hand in their signatures to get on the primary ballot in June. I’ll add more as I see them, but for now, here’s what I’ve found.
Corey Stewart: “Today, I filed nearly 15,000 signatures with the State Board of Elections to get on the ballot. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped!”
Nick Freitas: Turned in “over 12,000 signatures” yesterday.
Tim Kaine: I’ll have more on this later, but for now let’s just say that he beat Freitas and Stewart easily. 🙂 [UPDATE: See his press release below, which says: “Today, Tim Kaine formally filed his required ballot qualifying petitions with more than 18,000 signatures, far exceeding the 10,000-signature requirement, in his re-election campaign for the U.S. Senate. The large number of petition signatures clearly demonstrates the high level of support and excitement for Kaine’s candidacy and the strength of his campaign’s grassroots organizing foundation ahead of the election.”
The following candidates filed at Noon today (the earliest possible time):@PaulForVirginia@AlisonforVA@JenniferWexton@LindseyForUS
Their ballot access petitions will be validated in the coming days.
Filing for the Democratic Primary in #VA10 runs through 3/29 at 5PM.
— VA 10th Democrats (@VA10thDemocrats) March 12, 2018
Karen Mallard (VA-02): “I can’t thank the amazing team of volunteers enough for the enthusiasm, energy, and time they devoted to this effort. Our message on a #livingwage, healthcare and #gunreform is resonating with people in the 2nd District, and I look forward to taking that message to DC. #Va02”
Elaine Luria (VA-02): “This afternoon I was proud to submit my petitions to get on the ballot. Thank you so much to all our volunteers who knocked on nearly 2,000 doors, attended community events, and shared their enthusiasm across the district. Your support powers our campaign! — feeling fantastic.”
Barbara Comstock (R-VA10) and Shak Hill (R-VA10): “On Monday, the first day petitions could be submitted to the board of elections, Congresswoman Barbara Comstock filed over 1,500 petition signatures. Her challenger, Shak Hill, filed over 1,900.”
Tim Kaine Files More Than 18,000 Signatures Ahead of Deadline
Kaine Campaign Far Exceeds Ballot Signature Requirement of 10,000 in Show of Grassroots Strength Ahead of the Election
Today, Tim Kaine formally filed his required ballot qualifying petitions with more than 18,000 signatures, far exceeding the 10,000-signature requirement, in his re-election campaign for the U.S. Senate. The large number of petition signatures clearly demonstrates the high level of support and excitement for Kaine’s candidacy and the strength of his campaign’s grassroots organizing foundation ahead of the election.
“This election will be a fundamental choice about the direction of Virginia. With 18,000 Virginians signing these petitions, I am heartened that so many people are joining our campaign to keep us moving forward,” said Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.). “I believe that we can create a Virginia for all — where every region and community has access to good jobs, health care, and education, and where we treat everyone with dignity and respect. That’s what this campaign is all about.”
A team of volunteers has collected signatures from all four corners of the Commonwealth — from Loudoun to Lee, and from Alleghany to Accomack — at more than 150 fairs, festivals, and community events. More than half of all signatures are from women, more than a third are people of color, and ages range from 18 to 80. The final count is comprised of signers from both urban and rural regions, as well as from Democrats, Independents, and Republicans.
Virginia Senate candidates must submit 10,000 total signatures to the State Board of Elections by the end of March to qualify for the ballot, with at least 400 signatures collected from each congressional district.
During early stops on the campaign trail in communities throughout the Commonwealth, Kaine has seen large, enthusiastic crowds, eager to get involved in the 2018 election cycle and to keep Virginia on a progressive path. Submitting petitions is the first real measurement of voter engagement in 2018 and the Kaine campaign has set a high watermark.
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