Add Newt Gingrich to the list of Republican presidential hopefuls who will not be on the ballot for Virginia's March 6 primary.
The Republican Party of Virginia announced early Saturday that Gingrich did not get the 10,000 signatures required for validation. That total of 10,000 must include 400 from each of Virginia's 11 congressional districts.
From NBC News:
Gingrich said Wednesday he had enough ballot signatures, but he wanted to come to Virginia to deliver them personally. Taking no chances, his volunteers asked everyone to sign petitions before entering Gingrich's rally Wednesday night in Arlington, just across the Potomac River from Washington.
Gingrich represented Georgia in Congress for two decades, but has lived in McLean, Va., an upscale Washington suburb, while he's worked in the private sector.
On Friday night the RPV announced that Rick Perry did not meet the requirement, as well. However, according to the RPV's Twitter feed, Ron Paul and Mitt Romney fulfilled the requirements.
Perry's campaign described the signature shortfall in Virginia as a "isolated situation" in a statement.
"We will closely review the facts and law to determine whether an appeal or challenge is warranted," the statement added. "Governor Perry has the utmost respect for the strong place Virginia holds in our nation's economic and military strength and in American history. He will continue to work hard to build strong support in Virginia and earn the trust of conservative-minded voters there."
Meanwhile, Gingrich had harsh words for Virginia's primary system, according to the Associated Press:
The Gingrich campaign responded that “only a failed system” would disqualify Gingrich and other candidates. It said Gingrich would pursue an aggressive write-in campaign in Virginia.
“Voters deserve the right to vote for any top contender, especially leading candidates,” Gingrich campaign director Michael Krull said in a statement.
“We will work with the Republican party of Virginia to pursue an aggressive write-in campaign to make sure that all the voters of Virginia are able to vote for the candidate of their choice,” Krull said.
It was not clear if Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum or former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman submitted petitions to the state board, according to NBC News.
