Secretary of State Wayne Williams: Bob Gardner, Larry Liston make primary ballot

Secretary of State Wayne Williams announced today that two El Paso County Republicans, Bob Gardner and Larry Liston, have successfully petitioned onto the ballot to run for a seat in the Colorado General Assembly.

Gardner, a former state representative, is running for the Senate District 12 seat held by Republican Bill Cadman, who is term limited. Also running for the seat is Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt, R-Colorado Springs, who plans to go through the El Paso County Republican assembly Saturday to get on the ballot.

Here is Gardner's signature breakdown:

• Required: 1,000
• Turned in: 1,702
• Rejected: 353
• Accepted:1,349

Liston also previously served in the state House. He is challenging the incumbent, Rep. Janak Joshi, R-Colorado Springs, in House District 16. Joshi also is going through the assembly on Saturday.

Here is Liston's signature breakdown:

• Required: 1,000
• Turned in: 1,725
• Rejected: 114
• Accepted: 1,611

The Secretary of State's office so far has approved petition formats for 38 candidates, allowing them to begin collecting signatures. Gardner and Liston are the first to have their signatures verified; their names will appear on the June 28 primary election ballot.

April 4 is the last day to turn in petition signatures to the Secretary of State.