Former Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett is asking a district court judge to restore his candidacy for governor. A three-judge panel Tuesday ruled decided Corbett’s nomination papers were eight signatures short of what is needed to put him on the Republican June primary election ballot.
Corbett contends his nomination papers had more than enough valid signatures, and that what he calls the “Republican establishment” backing incumbent Gov. Reynolds is blocking his candidacy.
At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Corbett said he’s filing an appeal in Polk County District Court.
“Now, if we’re going to lose, I’d rather lose in the ballot box,” Corbett said. “I’ll accept the will of the people. But, it just doesn’t feel right to have this three-member panel that wasn’t unanimous deciding the fate of who might be the Republican nominee.”
If Corbett makes it on the ballot, he will be the only Republican challenging sitting governor Kim Reynolds. Corbett says he will not run as an independent.
