Now 12 candidates for March 1 GOP primary with Rubio, Huckabee and Santorum filings

Voters will have a total of 12 presidential candidates from which to choose when the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) holds its Super Tuesday primary election on March 1.

Senator Marco Rubio, former governor Mike Huckabee and former senator Rick Santorum submitted signatures for “pre-check” review by the RPV and for submission to the State Board of Elections before the 5 p.m. filing deadline on Dec. 10.

RPV reviewed the signatures on the petitions submitted and the three campaigna passed the pre-check process with significantly more signatures than required to meet the 5,000 statewide and 200 per Congressional District requirements of Virginia law.

RPV Chairman John Whitbeck was quoted in a press release as saying, “The GOP candidates understand how important Virginia is and are building strong networks in our critical Commonwealth.”

Also passing the RPV Pre-Check are candidates Donald Trump, Governor John Kasich, former Governor Jeb Bush, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, Senator Ted Cruz, Governor Chris Christie, Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Rand Paul and Carly Fiorina.

Virginia will hold a primary on Super Tuesday, March 1, 2016.