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A two-time Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor is suing Texas for making it difficult for independent candidates to get on the ballot. Mike Collier filed the federal lawsuit in Austin last week.
Collier claims no other state requires independent candidates for statewide office to gather anywhere near as many signatures in less time than Texas.
Collier lost to Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick in 2018 and 2022. He announced last year his plan to run for the office as an independent, if he can get enough signatures, or if his lawsuit succeeds.
