Iowa Democratic Senate candidate to appeal judge’s decision to keep her off ballot

An Iowa Democratic Senate contender has been blocked from appearing on the June 7th primary ballot after determining her campaign failed to secure enough valid signatures.

Judge Scott Beattie sided with Republican petitioners and determined some of the signatures procured by Abby Finkenauer’s campaign were not properly dated, and deemed them invalid.

“The Court takes no joy in this conclusion,” Beattie wrote in his decision. “This Court should not be in the position to make a difference in an election, and Ms. Finkenauer and her supporters should have a chance to advance her candidacy. However, this Court’s job is to sit as a referee and apply the law without passion or prejudice. It is required to rule without consideration of the politics of the day.”

Finkenauer has indicated that she will appeal the ruling, which has frustrated her bid to unseat incumbent Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley.

“This misguided, midnight ruling is an outrageous and partisan gift to the Washington Republicans who orchestrated this meritless legal action,” Finkenauer said in a statement obtained by the Washington Examiner. “We are exploring all of our options to fight back hard against this meritless partisan attack, and to ensure that the voices of Iowans will be heard at the ballot box.”

Mike Franken, a retired Navy admiral, and Glenn Hurst, a doctor, are also seeking the Democratic nomination.