Former Daniels aide challenges Wallace GOP bid

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Updated: February 16, 2012 11:33PM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A former longtime aide to Gov. Mitch Daniels is challenging GOP businessman Jim Wallace’s qualifications to run for governor.

Mitch Roob filed a challenge with the Indiana Elections Division Thursday afternoon charging that Wallace had not collected enough signatures from certified voters to run against U.S. Rep. Mike Pence in May’s Republican primary. Roob formerly served as Daniels’ economic development chief and human services secretary.

Wallace came up 14 signatures short of the 500 needed in Indiana’s 7th District last week. The Indiana Elections Commission is scheduled to hear the Wallace challenge next Friday.

The four-member panel is also set to hear more than two dozen challenges to Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum’s appearance on the May ballot. Santorum came up 8 signatures short in the 7th District.