Candidate for Brown’s seat in state Senate is disqualified
Richard Mitchell is off the ballot to fill the state Senate seat vacated by US Senator Scott Brown, but the Natick independent said he hopes to appeal the decision.
One of Mitchell’s signature pages for the special election May 11 did not include his street address. That page was disqualified, leaving him with fewer than the 300 signatures of registered voters necessary for his name to be placed on the ballot, according to Brian McNiff, spokesman for the secretary of state’s office, which oversees elections.
Mitchell announced his candidacy last week. Three other candidates have declared their intention to run for Brown’s former seat. Certified signatures must be submitted to the state Elections Division by 5 p.m. today.
Mitchell said yesterday that he was told by the secretary of state’s office that his only recourse is to appeal the decision in court. He said he is exploring his options.
McNiff said he did not know the details of the court appeals process for such a case or how long it might take.
Mitchell, a 47-year-old computer engineer at
State Representative Lida Harkins is expected to face fellow Needham Democrat Peter Smulowitz, an emergency room physician, in the April 13 primary. The winner of that contest would go up against state Representative Richard Ross, a Wrentham Republican.
Lisa Kocian can be reached at lkocian@globe.com. 
