Jack Kevorkian, the controversial physician known as “Dr. Death” for helping his patients commit suicide, has reportedly turned in enough signatures to get on the 9th district ballot as an Independent candidate. Kevorkian will run in the district northeast of Detroit, where Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R) has a challenge from former state Lottery Commissioner Gary Peters (D).

The Oakland Press reported that Kevorkian has turned in 3,200 valid signatures to enter the race before the July 17 filing deadline. A native of the area, Kevorkian was released from serving an an eight-year prison term for second-degree murder last year.

Knollenberg campaign manager Mike Brownfield responded in a statement, saying it looks like the Congressman is “running against death and taxes.”

“They may be inevitable in life, but fortunately not in this election,” Brownfield said. “Congressman Knollenberg will fight hard to protect Oakland County families from both of them.”

Peters’ campaign manager, Julie Petrick, said in a statement that third-party candidates did not impact the 2006 race, in which multiple unaffiliated candidates got a combined 2 percent.

“By November this election will be a clear choice between Gary Peters and Joe Knollenberg, and it’s going to be a referendum on the failed economic policies of Congressman Knollenberg and President Bush,” Petrick said.