The state Supreme Court reversed a lower court in a 5-2 decision Thursday that says Bob Guzzardi's failure to file his statement of financial interests on time with the State Ethics Commission is a "fatal defect" that disqualifies his candidacy.

Guzzardi, an outspoken Corbett critic, says he was surprised that the Republican Party spent so much time and energy trying to remove a Republican from a Republican ballot.

State GOP Chairman Rob Gleason did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Campaign finance reports show Corbett had raised $9 million for his re-election campaign through the end of March. Guzzardi reported raising less than $5,000.