Astorino Files Petition to Obtain 'Stop Common Core' Ballot Line

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino Tuesday filed his petition with the state to obtain the “Stop Common Core” ballot line for this fall’s election, his campaign announced.

Needing 15,000 signatures, Astorino - who is also Westchester County Executive - claims the petition carries more than 62,000, far exceeding the number required. He and Republican attorney general candidate John Cahill filed the petition with the state on Tuesday, according to The Wall Street Journal.

“Our family’s protest tomorrow is a symbolic one,” Astorino said in a four-minute video March 31 that he posted on his campaign website. His children do not participate in common core testing. “But as parents, we think it’s important to take a stand. Our children aren’t guinea pigs, Governor Cuomo, and we want them educated by teachers – not faceless bureaucrats in Washington.”

Astorino is trying to unseat Democratic incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who recently launched an effort to get his own third-party line on the ballot.

Photo credit: Rob Astorino’s campaign