Former Democrat Representative Abby Finkenauer signature petitions, which would have enabled her to run in Iowa’s Democratic Senate primary, have now been rejected by a district judge.
The move torpedos Finkenauer’s attempt to win the Democrat Senate Primary and then continue on to try and challenge Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in the general election.
As Ellis Political Insights notes, Finkenauer’s petition didn’t meet the legal standard to run in Iowa:
Under Iowa law, a statewide candidate must submit 3,500 valid registered voter signatures to obtain ballot position. A side requirement is that at least 100 signatures must come from a minimum of 19 individual counties, and it is here where Ms. Finkenauer barely came up short. While filing over 5,000 signatures statewide, the qualification came down to two of her 19 counties where all but the bare minimum number were rejected outright.
The State Objection Panel, comprised of two Democratic statewide officials and one Republican, had approved the petitions, but Polk County District Judge Scott Beattie said the body was wrong for ignoring the full legal requirements. Three signatures from the two counties in question lacked the date of signature, which is a clear requirement under the Iowa procedure. Republicans then filed their legal challenge arguing that the Objection Panel did not fully adhere to the law.
Judge Beattie agreed, and wrote that though the “court takes no joy in this conclusion,” he had no choice but to enforce the letter of the law.
Finkenhauer’s campaign immediately went on to claim that the court’s decision was partisan because the judge was a registered Republican.
Finkenhauer had already obtained 1.9 million in campaign contributions prior to the end of 2021.
Unless Beattie’s ruling against Finkenhauer is overturned, the Democrat now most likely to attempt to challenge Grassley in the general election is Retired Navy Vice Admiral Mike Franken.
Because the Judge was a registered Republican and didn’t take any money from George Soros! Is that why?
makes sense to me
Ballots yerass! Genius Joe is fixing to attack the Second Amendment. And that’s the only, repeat, only, thing keeping our government reasonably reasonable. That Second Amendment goes, and we are all slaves of the state.
Someone has to do something against ghost guns. Those can really get into the wrong hands, especially schoolkid killers. So, that’s why Biden is doing the Executive Order.
But they just let all the criminals out of jail anyway to commit atrocities against the law abiding public. All the while releasing 100’s of 1000’s of illegals into our country who are committing all kinds of crimes, but yeah lets keep pushing anti-gun laws cause that’s the real problem right?
Ghost guns are no different than any other guns including the ILLEGAL guns. How many illegal guns do you suppose are registered? Something needs to be done about those “PULLING the TRIGGER”. Authorities caught at least one of the trigger people in a pretty short time, registered gun or not. People are looking at the wrong thing for a solution. But hey, let more criminals out of jail and let more cross the border. Once the Second Amendment is gone, so goes this nation.
The vast majority of crimes committed with guns are those guns that are stolen from law abiding citizens. Or shipped across the Mexican border, since it is now so porous. Ghost guns are legally not required to be registered. But, the body of the gun has a serial number, that the seller forwards to ATF and who purchased it.
Stop drinking the koolaid. Biden is a liar, he should be dealing with the immigration problem that is allowing criminals into our country that have no problem using all guns, machetes, knives to control drugs & human trafficking. UPHOLD THE LAWS OF OUR COUNTRY & CRIME WILL GO DOWN!
Complete and utter nonsense. There have been exactly ZERO “ghost” guns used in ANY mass shooting in this country, EVER. Take your meds and go watch some more CNN…
The law is the law. If the judge’s decision is outside the law, then challenge it. But if his judgement complies with the law. Why call him names? Sounds like you are not interested in a judge, you’re looking for a rubber stamp.
Rules are rules.
Cry me a River!!! Since when do Demoncrats have to follow the rules or the law.
Based on this judge in this situation the rule of law legislated by the state must be followed. It is puzzling why a Republican on the panel approved her candidacy because it was close to the requirements set by the law.
Thank God the judge said “No way.” but said he regretted having to do it. ????????
Finkenhauer started her process too late to run for the Senate. You have to start early. She probably never imagined that Grassley would throw in the towel. But, he finally did.
And what about all the times that Democrat judges rule against Republicans. There is much more of that and infinitely more egregious. But Dems, like spoiled brats, are used to getting their way. Time for that to stop.
C’mon man! Aren’t there enough dead and imaginary voters to sign up?
Amazing how these no good rotten democrats cry foul every time they break the laws and get caught. Not following the rules in Iowa to get on the ballot , then crying about it. So damn much hypocrisy it’s unreal Vote all these bastards out
“Finkenhauer’s campaign immediately went on to claim that the court’s decision was partisan because the judge was a registered Republican.”
Of course it wasn’t her fault, because she wasn’t the one responsible for ensuring that the signatures collected were correct and LEGAL.
It must be her Campaign Manager’s fault. Or her Field Director. Or her Office Manager. I mean, anybody but her, right?
Tell me Abby, exactly where does the buck stop in your campaign, hmm?