Candidacy of US Senate tea party hopeful in Nevada challenged over voter signature requirement

Lawsuit challenges Nev. Tea Party Senate hopeful

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Conservatives affiliated with the national and Nevada tea party movement are challenging the candidacy of a Tea Party of Nevada member running for the U.S. Senate.

A lawsuit filed Tuesday in Carson City argues Scott Ashjian was required by state law to submit signatures totaling 1 percent of votes cast in Nevada’s last House elections to qualify.

Ashjian collected names of 250 registered voters under another law provision. The suit claims he was obligated to comply with the larger requirement.

The plaintiffs include members of a group headed by conservative activist Chuck Muth, and the president of an organization affiliated with the national tea party movement.

Local tea party activists and the national Tea Party Express say Ashjian is an opportunist trying to exploit the popular conservative movement.