Several candidates hoping to see their names on ballots this fall will have to overcome challenges filed with the state Government Accountability Board.
The agency says 15 challenges to nomination papers were filed by Thursday’s deadline. Among those having their signatures contested are Democratic candidate for governor Brett Hulsey and former state Senator and Congressional hopeful Gary George.
The chairman of the Dane County Democratic Party, Michael Basford, filed the challenge against signatures turned in by Hulsey. He alleges that dozens of signature Hulsey submitted included forged municipality information or that petition contained other errors. If the challenges stand, Hulsey would drop below the 2,000 signatures needed to challenge Democrat Mary Burke in a primary in August.
The other challenges all focus on removing signatures from candidates’ nominating papers for a variety of reasons, such as residency and the criminal histories of those signing their names. The GAB meets next week to discuss the challenges and to certify candidates for the fall ballot.