(KIWA Staff Photo)
Statewide Iowa (RI) — Lawyers for the Libertarian Party plan to appeal decisions from a state panel that would keep Libertarian candidates for governor and for one of Iowa’s U.S. House seats off the November ballot.
Republicans on the State Objection Panel ruled that Nicholas Gluba and Jules Cutler cannot run as governor and lieutenant governor because they did not file an affidavit of candidacy for Cutler. A state employee told the panel she does not remember Cutler being in the Election Office, while Cutler told the panel that witnesses saw her attempt to submit the document. She spoke with reporters after the meeting.
The panel also ruled the Marco Battaglia, a candidate in the 3rd Congressional District, cannot appear on the ballot because his legal name is Mark Anderson. Secretary of State Paul Pate says candidates have been able to use a nickname — such as Rick for Richard — but Battaglia’s preferred name is not a nickname.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said the panel based its decision on its reading of state law.
Iowa Libertarian Party Chair Stephanie Berlin said Battalia has used his stage name in previous elections and argued Republicans are being especially antagonistic heading into the 2026 election.
Battaglia says Republican Congressman Zach Nunn asked him to drop out of the race. Nunn’s campaign told The Des Moines Register they believe a group aligned with Democrats collected signatures on Battaglia’s nominating petitions.
The State Objection Panel reviewed a third case and overruled a challenge to 2nd Congressional District candidate Rick Stewart’s nominating paperwork, meaning his name will appear on the November ballot.
