Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative and community-focused journalism that holds the powerful accountable and drives positive change in Pennsylvania.
HARRISBURG – Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his running mate and at least nine third-party candidates face challenges that could leave them ineligible to run in Pennsylvania’s Nov. 5 general election.
The petition against Kennedy, an independent candidate and member of a dynastic Democratic family who became known as a vaccine skeptic and conspiracy theorist, was filed with the support of Clear Choice Action, a political action committee formed by allies of President Joe Biden to challenge third-party candidates and independent candidates.
In a state where the last presidential election was decided by just tens of thousands of votes, Kennedy’s turnout in Pennsylvania could impact whether Democrat Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump takes home the state’s coveted electoral votes. Recent polls put Kennedy at about 3% support among Commonwealth voters.
Objections to several other candidates had been filed in Commonwealth Court by Thursday’s 5 p.m. deadline.
The petition against Kennedy and his running mate Nicole Shanahan makes several arguments, including that Kennedy gave a false home address and that the candidates did not submit enough signatures.
The Pennsylvania Secretary of State’s Office advises third-party presidential candidates that it will accept nomination papers with 5,000 signatures, but it also advises candidates that this standard — which is much lower than that required by the state’s election law — is based on a court ruling that specifically applies to the Constitution Party, the Green Party and the Libertarian Party.
“A voter or other interested party could file an objection against a candidate whose nomination papers contain only 5,000 signatures, which would have to be decided by the state judiciary,” the agency warns.
The petition argues that Kennedy’s nomination papers do not meet either standard. The complaint alleges that the candidate submitted 23,680 lines of signatures that contained “numerous improper signatures and defects.”
Two Pennsylvania voters are listed as petitioners, but Clear Choice Action is “working with and supporting the voters who submitted the petition,” a representative said. The PAC has filed similar petitions in other states, including New York and Illinois.
“All candidates for President in the United States must undergo the same scrutiny and meet mandatory ballot eligibility requirements, yet across the country, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his We The People Party have consistently misled voters, failed to meet legal requirements and made a mockery of the democratic process,” PAC founder Pete Kavanaugh said in a statement. “The bottom line is that all candidates and parties must play by the same rules.”
The PAC is also supporting one of two separate challengers to the Socialism and Liberation Party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates: Claudia De la Cruz and Karina Garcia.
One petition questions the eligibility of some of the party’s presidential electors. The other petition, filed by the same voters who objected to Kennedy, also targets the number of signatures submitted.
Another objection aims to disqualify the entire list of candidates of the ultra-conservative Constitution Party, which is close to the Christian right and is based in Lancaster.
The party is seeking to nominate candidates for the offices of president, vice president, U.S. Senate, attorney general, state auditor, and state treasurer. The petition argues that the party failed to include the required affidavits for the presidential and vice presidential candidates. For this reason, “the Commonwealth Court should set aside the entire slate of candidates,” the suit states.
The last lawsuit filed within the deadline is against US Senate candidate Erik Messina of the American Solidarity Party, claiming that his nomination papers contained invalid signatures.
Several other third-party candidates for statewide offices have filed to run on the Nov. 5 ballot and have not been challenged. This includes Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.
Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Casey faces Republican Dave McCormick as well as at least two third-party candidates: Libertarian John C. Thomas and Leila Hazou of the Green Party.
The Forward Party, founded by former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, will nominate health care lawyer Eric Settle for attorney general and tennis pro Chris Foster for state treasurer.
With these two candidates, the party hopes to garner enough votes to qualify as a minor political party in the state. This would allow voters in the state to register as members of the party.
The Libertarian Party is fielding three candidates for various offices: Robert Cowburn for Attorney General, Reece Smith for Comptroller, and Nick Ciesielski for Treasurer.
The major party candidates for attorney general are Democrat Eugene DePasquale, the former state auditor general, and Republican York County District Attorney Dave Sunday. Richard L. Weiss of the Green Party is also a candidate.
Incumbent Republican Tim DeFoor is running for the position of Auditor General against state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia). Eric K. Anton of the American Solidarity Party has also filed for the position.
Republican State Treasurer Stacy Garrity will face challengers such as Democrat Erin McClelland, who won a surprise victory in the spring primary against the party-backed candidate, State Rep. Ryan Bizarro of Erie County.
This story may be updated.
BEFORE YOU GO …If you learned something from this article, please pass it on and donate to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to responsible journalism that gets results.
