Iraq war veteran David Bellavia has failed to qualify for the ballot in the upcoming special election for a western New York congressional seat.
Bellavia, who mounted a petition drive after unsuccessfully seeking the GOP nomination, failed to secure the 3,500 signatures needed to run in the May 24 race, the New York Board of Elections said Friday.
Bellavia had sought out tea party support and insisted that Republican candidate Jane Corwin lacked conservative credentials.
The Board of Elections released a letter to county election officials on Friday listing four candidates who had secured nominations. The only candidate to successfully petition his way onto the ballot was Jack Davis, a wealthy industrialist and former Democrat. Davis, who initially sought out the Republican nomination, is running on the Tea Party ballot line.
Some local tea party activists have harshly criticized Davis for painting himself as an official tea party candidate.
Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul has secured the Democratic nomination, while Buffalo journalist Ian Murphy will appear on the Green Party ballot line.
Former GOP Rep. Chris Lee resigned from the seat in February after it was revealed that he had sent a suggestive photograph to a woman who was not his wife.