The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled that both Tony Dastra and Craig Bolton, candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor from the Green Party, must be removed from the ballot for the upcoming 2026 General Election. The decision affects their campaign and highlights the legal requirements for candidates running for these offices in Pennsylvania.
This ruling comes after a petition was filed by William Lee, Joanne Deutchman, and Ryan Larson, who objected to the nomination papers submitted by Dastra and Bolton. The court's decision is significant as it clarifies the constitutional requirements for the election of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor in Pennsylvania.
In Pennsylvania, candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor run as a joint ticket, meaning they must be elected together. The court emphasized that if the Governor candidate is removed from the ballot, the Lieutenant Governor candidate cannot continue to run independently. This ruling is based on Article IV, Section 4 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which states that a single vote must be cast for both offices.
Background
The case, titled In re: Nomination Papers of T. Dastra, was filed under docket number 365 M.D. 2026. The petition was heard on August 19, 2026, before Judge Matthew S. Wolf. The objectors argued that both candidates should be removed from the ballot because Dastra had conceded to withdraw his nomination for Governor.
Dastra and Bolton filed their nomination papers on time, gathering 5,509 signatures, which exceeded the required number. However, the objectors challenged 1,389 of those signatures, leading to the court hearing. The candidates initially sought to argue that Bolton could remain on the ballot as a separate candidate for Lieutenant Governor, despite Dastra's removal.
The court's ruling hinged on the interpretation of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which mandates that the Lieutenant Governor must be elected jointly with the Governor. The court noted that the candidates acknowledged the challenge posed by this constitutional requirement and ultimately stipulated to the petition to remove Dastra from the ballot.
The Ruling
The court ruled that both candidates must be removed from the ballot, stating, "If the Governor candidate is removed, then the Lieutenant Governor candidate cannot continue alone to the general election." Judge Wolf emphasized that the constitutional requirement for a joint election is clear and must be upheld.
The court found that the argument presented by the candidates, which suggested that a write-in vote for Governor could allow Bolton to remain on the ballot, did not hold up against the constitutional text. The ruling stated, "That would be two votes," and reiterated that the Pennsylvania Constitution requires a single vote for both offices.
Furthermore, the court referenced a previous case, De la Cruz, where it ruled similarly regarding the election process for presidential electors, reinforcing the principle that the election structure must comply with constitutional mandates.
Impact
This ruling has significant implications for the Green Party and its candidates in Pennsylvania. With both Dastra and Bolton removed from the ballot, it limits the options for voters in the upcoming election and underscores the strict adherence to constitutional requirements in the electoral process.
The decision also sets a precedent for future cases involving joint candidacies in Pennsylvania. It reinforces the idea that candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor cannot be separated on the ballot, ensuring that voters cast a single vote for both offices.
What's Next
Following this ruling, there is no indication that the decision will be appealed. However, the Green Party may need to consider alternative candidates or strategies for the upcoming election. Details were not available in the court filing regarding any related cases or future actions by the candidates.