Sheriff nicknamed 'Duke' to stay on ballot

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) - April 4, 2013

Tom Lingenfelter, a political activist and Republican challenger in the May 21 primary in Bucks County, wanted incumbent Sheriff Edward "Duke" Donnelly kicked off the ballot for using his nickname.

The Bucks County Courier Times reports Wednesday that Bucks County Judge Gary Gilman found that the nickname isn't confusing to voters, nor does it suggest Donnelly is claiming some "hereditary distinction or nobility title" as Lingenfelter alleged.

Simply put, the judge says, "If strikes me that if George Herman Ruth was running for office, then there would be no objection to him appearing on the ballot as Babe Ruth."

Lingenfelter says he'll appeal.

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