DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate released a statement Tuesday on the candidacy of Theresa Greenfield for Iowa's Third Congressional District seat.

BACKGROUND: At 9:42 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14, Theresa Greenfield submitted her affidavit of candidacy and nomination petitions to the Secretary of State's office in the Lucas Building. A cursory review of the paperwork was conducted upon intake and a receipt was provided. Following intake, two members of my staff reviewed the affidavit of candidacy and nomination petitions. Greenfield's paperwork was marked as filed at 3:01 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14, because it appeared to meet the basic requirements for filing. Greenfield was notified the affidavit of candidacy and nomination petitions for the office of United States Representative District 3 with the Democratic Party were marked as filed via email at 3:32 p.m. on March 14.

According to reports in the media, Greenfield discovered late on Thursday, March 15, 2018, that some of the signatures that appeared on her nomination petitions had been forged. Greenfield withdrew her affidavit of candidacy and nomination petitions at 4:53 p.m. on Friday, March 16. Greenfield's withdrawn affidavit of candidacy and nomination petitions are being retained by my office pending any further investigation on behalf of the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

At 4:57 p.m. on Friday, March 16, Greenfield submitted a new affidavit of candidacy and nomination petitions. On Monday, March 19, the new filing was rejected for failing to contain the minimum number of eligible signatures that can be counted. Greenfield was notified of this rejection.

STATEMENT: "My staff and I have been notified by the Attorney General's office that they will not be issuing a formal opinion regarding the application of Iowa Code section 43.23. This office will continue to analyze and research this matter in a careful and through manner, but at this time, I will also be reserving judgment on the applicability of Iowa Code section 43.23.

If the Third District Democratic Party makes the decision to hold a convention and nominates an additional candidate for the June 5 primary election, we would receive the convention certificate and affidavit of candidacy from the chosen candidate. The role of the Secretary of State's office in this process is to take receipt of a convention certificate, which does not mean that the selected candidate's placement on the ballot is guaranteed or above legal challenge." – Paul Pate, Iowa Secretary of State

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