Libertarian gubernatorial candidate in Virginia qualifies for November ballot

RICHMOND, Va. (Heartland Newsfeed) — Voters in Virginia will have a third choice on the ballot in the gubernatorial general election on November 7.

Cliff Hyra, a 34-year-old patent attorney hailing from Hanover County, has qualified to be on the ballot as the Libertarian Party candidate, as confirmed Thursday by the Virginia Department of Elections as Hyra and supporters submitted petitions bearing more than 10,000 signatures to earn a spot on the ballot. He joins Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam and Republican political activist and consultant Ed Gillespie, who won their respective party primaries earlier this month. Four years ago, Libertarian Robert Sarvis qualified for the gubernatorial election but collected less than 7 percent of the popular vote. Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe narrowly defeated GOP candidate Ken Cuccinelli in 2013 by 56,435 votes out of 2.2 million cast.