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Hearings of protest took place yesterday that would have Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Charlie Earl and attorney general candidate Steve Linnabary removed from the May 6 primary ballot.

Protests were filed with Secretary of State Jon Husteds office to invalidate the petitions of both candidates for two reasons accusations that paid circulators collected signatures on their behalf without identifying their employment by the Libertarian Party on the petitions; and that some of the signature collectors were Democrats.

But the attorney representing the Libertarians said the protest wasnt really about getting Earl and Linnabary thrown off the ballot, rather an effort to embarrass Earl (and Linnabary) by linking them to Democrats. It has been widely speculated that Earls presence on the ballot this fall could siphon votes away from Gov. John Kasich which could be damaging if the election is close between Kasich and likely Democratic nominee Ed FitzGerald.

Mark Brown, attorney for the Libertarian Party and a Capital University law professor, said there wasnt any evidence introduced yesterday that would warrant removal.

The rest of this stuff is just bluster and innuendo, and its designed to harass, he said.

Its about the Republicans trying to intimidate Libertarians.

In the hearing over the protest against Earl, Brown acknowledged that circulators Oscar Hatchett and Sara Hart were paid to collect signatures for the party, but as independent contractors and not as employees.

Hatchett testified that, as a professional circulator, he has never identified an employer on any petition he has circulated and has never had a petition ruled invalid.

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Protests could force removal of Libertarians Earl, Linnabary from ballot