Friday, March 19, 2004

Bradbury lists contenders for May ballot

03/19/2004

By BRAD CAIN / Associated Press

With little fanfare, Secretary of State Bill Bradbury on Thursday announced the final list of candidates who will appear on Oregon's May presidential ballot.

But the name of yet another contender could be added to the November general election ballot — political maverick Ralph Nader.

The candidates who will appear on the May 18 ballot are Democrats John Kerry, Dennis Kucinich, and perennial contender Lyndon LaRouche, Bradbury decided. President Bush will be the only Republican on the ballot.

"Although it is disappointing Oregon does not have a bigger role in determining presidential nominees, Oregonians still have a choice between qualified candidates," Bradbury said, referring to the fact Kerry has won enough delegates in earlier primaries to earn his party's nomination.

State law gives the secretary of state the discretion to qualify those candidates for the Oregon ballot who are "generally advocated" or are "recognized in the national news media" as active candidates.

Bradbury said that under that criteria, he certified the names of Kerry, Kucinich and Bush. Supporters of LaRouche qualified him for the ballot by turning in 1,000 signatures from each congressional district.

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