Ballot dispute heads to court

California congressional candidate Phil Liberatore on Wednesday pledged if he is elected to office he would stop the IRS from hiring 16,000 workers that Republicans say are needed to enforce the health care mandate.

The only problem, Liberatore not on the ballot.

The Republican contender said California Secretary of State Deborah Bowen has denied his application because Liberatore, a tax accountant, wants the designation "IRS Problem Solver" next to his name on the ballot. 

"Ms. Bowen is a career politician who doesn't want the voters to know that I battle te IRS on behalf of thousands of citizens," Liberatore said in prepared remarks.

The CPA from La Mirada has filed suit against Bowen demanding that he be allowed to use the name he desires on the ballot. A hearing is slated for April 1.

If Liberatore is successful, he will face 6 term incumbent Gary Miller and Inland Empire businessman Lee McGroaty in the June 8 primary for the state's 42nd Congressional District.