Penn State graduate and current database administrator Thomas Martin received an unanticipated nomination by the Libertarian Party for U.S. Senate on March 4.

"I decided to run when they asked me in the middle of the convention," Martin said. "I did not expect and did not seek the nomination."

Martin, a State College resident, plans to center his campaign on the issue of ballot access. While Democratic and Republican parties are required by the state to receive only 2,000 signatures, third-party candidates are required to obtain 67,070 signatures to get a name on the ballot.

Martin said he believes this is a strict violation of 14th Amendment rights.

"The spirit and letter of the law should be equal, and this is not even close," Martin said. "Sixty-seven thousand does not equal 2,000. I am an American; I deserve free and fair elections."

Martin said he believes the Democratic and Republican parties are in control of who is eligible to run based on the voting system.

"It is a manipulated system to control who we can and cannot vote for -- this is dangerous," Martin said.

Centre County Republican Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson said he believes this system is unreasonable as well.

"It doesn't seem very fair," Thompson said. "There is a huge discrepancy between those two numbers."

Thompson said he understands that getting signatures is a very overwhelming task, but it seems reasonable with the amount of time given to obtain signatures.

Bob Shepherd, Centre County Democratic Committee chairman, said he understands both sides of the argument. "Obviously it represents a considerable barrier for minor parties," Shepherd said. "But on the other hand, for nearly two centuries we have evolved on a system based on two major parties. I am not confident it is the best system, but it has worked for this long."

Martin would not discuss other issues he would tackle if elected.

"If we cannot get on the ballot, what difference does it make what other issues I have?" Martin said.

Bob Casey, state treasurer and Democratic candidate, would not comment on the issue of ballot access.

Don Albertson, assistant programmer analyst, who shared an office with Martin for almost three years, said he strongly approves of most of the things Martin stands for in politics. "I commend him for his effort and dedication for running for a third party," Albertson said. "He is strongly committed to things that the Libertarian Party stands for and is also like that with the people he deals with on a daily basis."