Judge allows independent candidate to remain on ballot in Bucks County state House race

Chris Gambino, an independent candidate who is running in the 143rd state House District in Bucks County, will be allowed to stay on the ballot after a challenge to his nomination papers.

Commonwealth Court Judge Lori Dumas issued the ruling on Tuesday, but did not provide a detailed explanation.

“The judge’s ruling was welcomed news. It confirmed what we knew to be true, real people signed to get an independent on the ballot,” Gambino said. “Now, we can get back to what matters most, spreading the word. People in this district need to know they have a real option this November.”

The challenge was brought by two local voters who were represented by Adam Bonin, a prominent attorney who primarily works with Democrats on election-related issues. Their objection took issue with the signatures Gambino collected, and with the name of the political body Gambino affiliated himself with when filing to run.

In his nomination papers, Gambino listed “Forward Independent” as his political body.

Gambino told the Capital-Star that’s because he views himself as an independent, but consulted with and is endorsed by the state Forward Party.

The center-left organization endorses candidates and officer holders from both major parties, as well as independents who they refer to on their website as “Forward Independents.” 

The objection to Gambino’s nomination papers took issue because Pennsylvania law prohibits political parties from adopting names too similar to one another. It also noted another candidate had already filed as a member of the “Independent Party” in an adjacent district. 

The objection stated, “Gambino could not lawfully include ‘Independent’ as part of the name of his political body.”

“The risk of voter confusion in these adjacent districts is considerable if Gambino is permitted to employ a political body name which he is not legally permitted to use,” it continued.

Gambino called the objection political, and alleged it had little to do with election integrity or the quality of his nomination papers. He has accused the filers of aiming to knock a candidate off the ballot they feared could siphon votes from a Democrat.

The state Forward Party echoed the sentiment.

“The political establishment often succeeds in bullying new voices with the threat of legal fees or personal pressure,” Brian McMurray,” a member of the state party’s executive committee, said in a statement. “Chris Gambino stood up and fought for his rightful place on the ballot and for all those constituents who signed his petition. We’re proud to continue to support Chris’s candidacy as he continues to shine a light on these issues and look forward to more people working to take our ballot back from major parties.”

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee lists the 143rd Legislative District as one of its “target races,” backing Democrat Tim Hayes. The District is currently represented by Republican Rep. Shelby Labs.

Bonin, the Democrat-affiliated lawyer who filed the objection, declined to comment on the ruling until a more detailed opinion is issued. He said he had “no interest in getting involved in a tit-for-tat” when asked about Gambino’s allegations his motives were political.

Gambino is not the only third party candidate to have their attempts to appear on the ballot in competitive districts challenged.

In eastern Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, Both Democrats and the progressive Green Party of Pennsylvania have filed petitions to boot Andrew Tupone, who has filed to represent the Green Party, off the ballot.

The Democratic challenge is on technical grounds. But the Green Party warns Tupone is attempting to trick voters by claiming their mantle. Tupone was a registered Republican until earlier this year. PoliticsPA also reported he’s being represented in court by lawyer Wally Zimolong, who has worked with Republicans — including President Donald Trump and Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick — in election-related matters in Pennsylvania.

Both major parties view the 7th Congressional District race as potentially decisive in determining control of the U.S. House. It’s currently represented by Republican Ryan Mackenzie, and believed to be among the most competitive House districts in the country.

In Western Pennsylvania’s 60th Legislative District, Libertarian Brian John Peltier requested to remove his name from the ballot after a challenge to some of the signatures he collected.

Bonin was also involved in a successful effort to remove Green Party candidates for governor and lieutenant governor from November’s ballot on the grounds that gubernatorial candidate Tony Dastra did not collect enough valid signatures.