Nevada Tea Party candidate to remain on ballot

CARSON CITY -- A state judge says Scott Ashjian can remain on the November ballot as a Tea Party of Nevada candidate for U.S. Senate.

District Judge James Russell in Carson City ruled Thursday that while Ashjian was still a registered Republican when he filed his candidacy papers March 2, he had "substantially complied" with state election law.

Ashjian changed his voter registration to the minor party hours after filing his candidacy.

Tim Fasano, an Independent American Party candidate also seeking the U.S. Senate seat, sought to have Ashjian removed from the ballot for signing a "false statement," by claiming to be a member of the party when his papers were filed.

Tea Party of Nevada was formed in January. Ashjian is not support by grass roots tea party activists.