WY: Libertarians Break to form New Party

From the Wyoming Trib:

Several top figures in the Wyoming Libertarian Party, including the party’s chairman, have left to try and form a new political party in Wyoming. The "Country Party," as the new party’s tentatively called, is a "less radical" version of the Libertarians or the Constitution Party, said Don Wills, who left as chairman of the Wyoming Libertarian Party last weekend. Wills is a co-founder of the new party . . . 

Apparently, a platform in favor of liberty is too radical for Wyoming voters.  See the Country Party's website.

WY: Crisis of Democratic Party is Opportunity for Third Parties and Independents

From the Billings Gazette:

The near wipeout of the Wyoming Democratic Party in the general election, coupled with the surprising showing of an independent write-in candidate for governor, is an opportunity for voters to look at third parties, old and perhaps new ones, political activists say. One of the surprises of the Nov. 2 general election was the write-in campaign of Taylor Haynes, a Tea Party member who also had the support of the Wyoming Constitution Party.

Haynes, a Laramie County rancher and retired physician, received nearly 14,000 votes to come in third in the Nov. 2 general election for governor. With 7 percent of the vote, Haynes outpolled Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Mike Wheeler of Casper, who received 5,362 votes. Wyoming Libertarians say there is talk of more third-party movements in the state, including the loosely knit Tea Party.

WY: First Independent Gov Candidate in 52 Years Endorsed by Constitution Party

From Wyoming News:

Cheyenne rancher and retired surgeon Taylor Haynes is confident that his name will appear on the Nov. 2 ballot as an independent candidate for Wyoming governor.

Haynes planned to turn in a petition with nearly 7,000 signatures Monday. He needs 4,988 names to meet the requirements for an independent nomination. . . . He added that as governor, he would work to uphold the Constitution and Wyoming's constitutional authority. The candidate also was endorsed by the state's newly formed Constitution Party.

From Ballot Access News:

If he has enough valid signatures, he will be the first independent gubernatorial candidate on the Wyoming ballot since 1958.  See this story.

WY: Constitution Party Holds Inaugural State Convention

From Constitution Party News:

You might have thought that coming up 388 petition signatures short, as the result of the Secretary of State disqualifications of a number of signatures, on their all- volunteer 2010 Ballot Access Petition Drive would leave Wyoming's Constitution Party members depressed. deflated and demoralized. Not so, with this hearty group. While slightly disappointed for the short term, these folks, who have evidenced tremendous pioneer spirit, knew that the drive had succeeded in its primary mission: laying the foundation for a solid Constitution Party organization in Wyoming!

The final steps in laying that organizational foundation were taken on July 9 and 10 at the historic inaugural state convention of the Constitution Party of Wyoming that took place in Torrington, WY.

WY: Constitution Party Submits Petitions for November Ballot

From Wyoming News:

Voters could see a fourth political party on the ballot this November. Supporters of the Constitution Party turned in thousands of signatures Tuesday afternoon in an attempt to get the group's candidates recognized alongside Republican, Democrat and Libertarian candidates in Wyoming's general election.

Democrat vs. Republican: No Matter who Wins the People Lose

From a letter to the editor of the Wyoming Trib:

After decades of switching back and forth between a proclaimed “big government” party and a proclaimed “small government” party, where are we? Corporate bailouts by both parties, Patriot Act destruction of rights, constant government growth, and federally run health care. The end result is we all lose our liberties and our freedom. What is the result of the two-party system? A power struggle. Both parties claim to represent the people and, through the power struggle, both do the citizens more harm than good. As in all power struggles, we the citizens, are the losers.

WY: Racist Comments Lead to Calls for Libertarian's Withdrawal from Gov Race

From the Star Tribune:

A Libertarian Party candidate for governor, Mike Wheeler, made offensive racial comments last week that make it clear he's not able to fairly represent all residents of the state. Given an opportunity to apologize to Hispanics for his remarks, he only managed to dig himself a deeper hole. He apparently can't admit that his actions were way out of line, so Wheeler should drop out of the contest. Libertarians would be better off without any candidate in the race.

WY: Libertarians Make their Case to Electorate, Appeal to Younger Voters

From the Wyoming Trib, a lengthy and informative opinion/story on the state's Libertarian Party and its candidates for elected office this year:

While the Democrats don't have an announced candidate for governor, the Wyoming Libertarian Party does this year and can give voters a choice.  On the Big L ticket for governor is Mike Wheeler, 46, a Casper businessman and resident for nearly 16 years . . .  This is Wheeler's first foray as a candidate in a major statewide race. He said he won't formally announce his candidacy until the Libertarian Party convention April 24 in Lander. He chose the Libertarian Party, he said, because there is so little difference between the two major parties. The Libertarian Party makes a strong case for reducing the size of government, while both the Democratic and Republican parties are guilty of expanding government, Wheeler said . . .