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RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Federal District Court Judge John Gibney ruled against Texas Governor Rick Perry and other Republican presidential candidates who sued in an effort to appear on the ballot for the Virginia Republican primary in March.

Judge Gibney announced the ruling Friday afternoon in Richmond, Virginia.CLICK HERE: Read the judge's order
The suit was originally filed by Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and Jon Hunstman later joined the challenge.

According to court documents, the Republican candidates failed to meet the 10,000 signature petition requirements to get on the ballot.

Mitt Romney and Ron Paul met the requirements.

Monday, Judge Gibney ordered the distribution of absentee ballots for Virginia's Republican primary to be halted until the legal challenge could be settled.

This is a developing story.

Refresh this page and watch CBS 6 News for updates.

http://www.wtvr.com/news/wtvr-virgin...,6053544.story