By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – State Senate candidate Kathy Konst will not be able to run on a second, minor party line this November.
A judge ruled Tuesday that Konst's nominating petitions for the Integrity Party fell short of the three thousand valid signatures that were needed. State Supreme Court Justice Timothy Drury said Konst campaign workers failed to get sworn affirmations from nearly 300 people who signed her petitions.
Her opponent, incumbent Republican Dale Volker, filed the challenge. His attorneys subpoenaed 90 of the petition signers to appear in court.
Konst says the challenge was a sign of "desperation" by Republicans trying to retain control of the Senate.
Konst does have the Democratic line in her race against Volker but was hoping a second line would boost her chances of winning in November.