Independent Candidate Struggles to Secure Ballot Spot Amid Signature Fraud Allegations
Amidst a wave of fraudulent signature allegations, an independent candidate in Nebraska’s gubernatorial race has failed to secure a place on the ballot. Brett Lindstrom’s campaign submitted a total of 5,765 signatures, but only 3,358 were verified by the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office, falling short of the required 4,000 valid signatures from registered voters statewide.
According to a statement from the Secretary of State’s Office, “a significant number of signatures were found to be fraudulent.” The release further explained that several petition pages with fraudulent signatures had been circulated by three individuals who were recently arrested on suspicions of circulator fraud. The suspected fraudulent signatures have been reported to the Attorney General’s office for further investigation.
The arrests earlier this month were tied to over 13,000 suspected fraudulent signatures submitted for three petitions aimed at altering the election process in Lincoln.
Lindstrom, who launched his candidacy earlier this year, emphasized the state’s budgetary issues and economic challenges as pivotal reasons for his decision to run. He pointed to Nebraska’s structural deficit and criticized current fiscal policies, saying, “Nebraskans signed these petitions because they know something is wrong and they’re tired of being told everything is fine.”
Running as an independent, Lindstrom aimed to represent all Nebraskans, distancing himself from both major political parties. His campaign was set to challenge incumbent Republican Jim Pillen and Democratic candidate Lynne Walz in the upcoming November election.
With a political background that includes eight years as a state senator, Lindstrom has previously sought office in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District but withdrew from the Republican nomination race earlier this year. Additionally, he finished third in the Republican gubernatorial primary four years ago.
Lindstrom had chosen Mike Picard, a Navy veteran and director of ENVY Volleyball Club, as his running mate. However, without a spot secured on the ballot, Pillen, Walz, and Legal Marijuana Now candidate Rick Beard remain the official contenders for Nebraska’s governorship.
