(Radio Iowa) – Lawyers for the Libertarian Party will 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 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 says she doesn’t remember Gluba’s running mate — Jules Cutler — being in the Election Office, while Cutler told the Objection Panel witnesses saw her try to submit the document. Cutler spoke with reporters after the meeting.
“That is the most disappointing, frustrating and disheartening experience I’ve had in 30-plus years since I immigrated as a 16 year old girl from the Soviet Union,” Cutler said. The panel also ruled the name third congresional district candidate Marco Battaglia cannot appear on the ballot because his legal name is Mark Anderson. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says candidates have been able to use a nickname, like Rick when their name is Richard.
“This is a totally different name,” Pate said, “not even close.” Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says the objection panel based its decision on its reading of Iowa law. “The Iowa Code says the candidate name needs to be in the form the candidate wants it to be on the ballot and I think that means in the form of the candidate’s name,” she said, “not someone else’s name.”
Iowa Libertarian Party Chair Stephanie Berlin says Battalia has used his stage name in previous elections and Republicans are being especially antagonistic heading into the 2026 election. “Keep in mind these races are exceedingly close and this is just an example of them being scared,” Berlin said. “We are like the Schrodinger’s Party. We are both not important and exceptionally important at the same time.”
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 the signatures on Battaglia’s nominating petitions.
The State Objection Panel reviewed a third case and overruled a challenge to second congressional district candidate Rick Stewart’s nominating paperwork, so his name will appear on the November ballot.
