6:00pm: Sportsline with Tony Caridi

UPDATE: SOS says Wilson doesn’t have enough signatures to get on ballot

UPDATE, Wed, Aug. 5,   10:00 a.m.


MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Supporters of Del. Marshal Wilson’s gubernatorial bid rushed signature-filled petitions to the Secretary of State’s Office Monday evening in hopes of beating the midnight filing deadline to be on the November General Election ballot.

Wilson, I-Berkeley, sounded confident Tuesday.

Marshall Wilson

“Based on my estimation I think we have more of the required minimum number,” he told MetroNews.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, Wilson needs 7,139 validated signatures and approximately 7,300 were turned in at 11:30 p.m. Monday. The signatures will now be sent to the counties where the voters say they live to be checked by county clerks for their validity.

Wilson said he focused his efforts more on getting as many signatures as possible instead of checking addresses up front which could have slowed down the process.

“We don’t have a good number for how many signatures we have and we certainly can’t tell you how many of them are valid but my estimation is that he certainly have more than the minimum number,” he said.

Marshall, who is running as an independent, wants the opportunity to face GOP nominee Gov. Jim Justice, Democratic candidate Ben Salango and others in the Nov. 4 election. He’ll find out in about 10 days whether he has enough validated signatures. Wilson said he has a backup plan if he doesn’t.

He filed a lawsuit in federal court recently claiming his constitutional rights for running for office were violated with Gov. Justice moved the primary election from May to June because of the pandemic and issued a ‘stay at home’ order.

“We’re precluded from having large gatherings and because of all of the information that’s being put out about how people need to lock themselves in their homes and the requirement of the governor to stay home, how was I supposed to go out and knock on doors?”

Wilson asked for both more time to gather signatures and the number of required signatures be reduced but he was turned down by the Secretary of State’s Office.

The number of signatures required is one percent of the total number of voters in the Governor’s race in the Primary Election.

Wilson said he plans on going through the lawsuit even if he gets enough signatures.





More News

News
PEIA examines financial effects of new law meant to ensure local pharmacies get fair reimbursements
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 453 into law this week.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm
News
Barbour County woman sentenced after death case sent back to circuit court by Supreme Court
Carli Reed sentenced on voluntary manslaughter conviction.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm
News
UMWA to fight planned Pennsylvania coal mine closure, 700 mining jobs at risk
Cumberland Mine less than 40 miles from Morgantown.
March 28, 2024 - 2:23 pm
News
Bridge collapse having an impact on West Virginia coal shipments
About third of the coal mined in northern West Virginia is shipped out of the presently idled Port of Baltimore
March 28, 2024 - 1:18 pm