WILL APPEAR ON BALLOT OF NEW REPUBLICAN-LEANING 3RD DISTRICT ACCORDING TO REGISTRATION NUMBERS
DES MOINES, IA – Demonstrating broad grassroots organizational strength, Tom Latham was the first federal candidate in the State of Iowa to qualify for the June 5th primary election ballot. Latham personally filed just under 10,000 signatures with Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz in his Capitol office this morning, on the very first hour of the first day nomination petitions can be submitted.
Latham far exceeded the minimum requirement of gathering at least 1,478 signatures and a minimum signature requirement no fewer than 8 of the 16 counties that make up the new third district. Latham’s campaign collected a total of 9,641 signatures and qualified in all 16 counties.
“My goal to qualify in every county was an important statement that I am running to represent every Iowan in the new Third District,” Latham said. “Iowans and this country are facing historic challenges and uncertainty and they are looking for a better approach that brings about the better solutions they deserve. I will continue to passionately work hard, going far above and beyond the minimum each day, to fight for every Iowan as an accountable servant who listens to their voices and stands strong for what is right.”
Iowa’s new third district, which encompasses the 16 counties in the southwest corner of the state, was created as a result of the redistricting process that takes place following the national census each decade. The new district is Republican leaning based on new voter registration numbers that show the GOP with a 6,000 voter registration advantage over the Democrats. The new numbers illustrate a continuing downward trend in Democrat registration and Republican gains that began in January 2009. Since that date Democrat registration in the new district has dropped by 19,947 (-11.11%) while Republicans have gained 8,877 (+5.66%) in registered voters.
The February 1, 2012, official registration numbers for the new third district show Republicans with 165,595 (34.76%) registered voters, Democrats with 159,595 (33.50%) and Independents/No Party with 150,705 (31.63%).
