LITTLE ROCK The Libertarian Party of Arkansas was certified for the 2014 ballot by the secretary of states office Friday.

The party last month turned in more than 16,000 signatures in an effort to qualify for the ballot. The party needed 10,000 verified signatures to secure ballot access and party officials were notified Friday that they had met the threshold.

While we are excited about the prospect of running candidates in 2014, I must say, this has been an exhausting process, said Jessica Paxton, the partys chairwoman.

Frank Gilbert, constable of DeKalb Township in Grant County and former mayor of Tull, announced last month he will seek the Libertarian Partys nomination for governor.

Gilbert is the only member of the Libertarian Party currently holding elected office in Arkansas. He also has served as Grant County coroner and president of the Bauxite Education Association.

Former Congressman Mike Ross is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. Republican candidates are former Congressman and deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Asa Hutchinson, state Rep. Debra Hobbs and businessman Curtis Coleman.

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Libertarian Party qualifes for 2014 ballot