NJ: From the Bottom Up

From Ballot Access News:

New Jersey elects its state legislators in odd years. This year, New Jersey’s active minor parties have more candidates for the Assembly (the lower house) than they did two years ago. Libertarians have candidates in four districts this year, whereas the party only had candidates in a single Assembly district in 2009. The Green Party has candidates is two districts this year, compared to only one in 2009. The Constitution Party has two candidates in one Assembly district this year, compared to no legislative candidates at all in 2009. There are 9 independent candidates for the Assembly.

NJ: Marijuana Legalization Activist Launches Independent Bid for State Assembly

From PhillyBurbs:

Edward Forchion, the Pemberton Township native best known by his alias, NJWeedman, is throwing his hat into the political ring again. The longtime marijuana activist has filed to run as an independent candidate for one of the 8th Legislative District’s two state Assembly seats. He is one of 11 independents who have filed to run for state, county or local offices in the November general election . . . Forchion is the best-known of the independents, having previously run third-party campaigns for governor, Congress, the state Legislature, and the Burlington County Board of Freeholders. He also has received publicity for his run-ins with the law . . . 

ME: IPR Interviews Independent State Rep. Ben Chipman

From Independent Political Report:

Two nights ago Ross Levin and I interviewed Maine’s newest Independent state legislator, Ben Chipman. This previous article has a bit of background:

Ben Chipman is a Green Party activist in Maine and was elected to the state legislature this year as an independent… Chipman has been a Green Party activist for a long time, including being an aide to Maine’s only former Green state legislator and a member of the Portland Charter Commission. He was the only Green-affiliated independent … elected to state office in the entire country this year.

We began by asking about Mr. Chipman’s campaign strategy and how he became an Independent, rather than Green, candidate. He explains that “various circumstances” came into play when it came time to file, and coupled with his late entry into the race he was unable to run as a Green. Instead, the longtime Green Party activist filed as an Independent.

He found as he began to campaign that the Independent label gained greater traction than the Green Party label had in the past. Mr Chipman explained that the Green Party had run candidates in this district in the past, but none had come closer than 400-500 votes away from victory. He began to emphasize his status as an Independent candidate in campaign literature . . .

PA: Hugh Giordano Proposes Ambitious Package of Election Reforms, Equal Access, Open Primaries . . .

From Montgomery Media News:

Hugh Giordano, the independent Green Party candidate for State Representative in the 194th District, has a strong stance when it comes to elections and how they should be run. “Elections in this state are so biased and unfair, that the voters never really have the opportunity to vote for someone they really want to. “The goal of this package of reforms is to ensure open, clean elections so that the citizens of Pennsylvania get the representation they deserve,” says Giordano.

Giordano supports a shift to open primaries in Pennsylvania . . . Giordano supports equal ballot access for third-party and independent candidates. . . . Giordano supports campaign finance reform . . .

MA: Democrats Refuse to Debate Green Challengers, Why are Democrats so Afraid of Open Debates and Opposed to Political Comeptition?

From Green Party Watch:

The Berkshire Greens are calling foul on two Democratic state legislators for abruptly pulling out of debates with Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party candidates Scott Laugenour and Mark Miller:

The October 18 debates at BCC were called off for no-shows from the Democrat incumbent state rep candidates. The debate sponsors instead have scheduled interviews with the incumbents’ only opponents, conducted by the former debate moderator. Both Smitty Pignatelli (claiming miscommunication about debate date) and Chris Speranzo (for no stated reason) informed debate sponsors late Friday afternoon (Oct. 15) that they would not be debating at BCC tomorrow, Monday (Oct. 18).

Also on Friday, October 15, in the Berkshire Eagle, Clarence Fanto echoed Jonathan Levine’s earlier Pittsfield Gazette column denouncing Chris Speranzo for jockeying for two jobs at the same time. Speranzo has been interviewing (successfully) to be Central Berkshire District Court Clerk Magistrate although he is still on the ballot, running for state representative.

Is this the kind of behavior appropriate for democratically elected, taxpayer-funded representatives of the people?

WI: Ben Manski is Formidable Opponent, Democrats Worry Over Green Challenger

From Green Party Watch:

Sarah Manski sent the following update to supporters of Wisconsin Green Party candidate for 77th District State Representative Ben Manski: Ben’s opponent, Brett Hulsey, is very worried.

Two days ago, Hulsey sent out a fundraising letter. The letter says he is facing “strong opposition” from our campaign. The letter complains about the “attack ads” we’re running (those are the ads where we point out, quite accurately, that he took $192,000 from a coal-burning utility to lobby for a new coal plant).

Ben’s opponent is right. We are building a “strong opposition.” But we need your help right now. Right now. We need to raise $6,000 by Tuesday to pay for our next mailing. Please give $100 or more, right now: http://votemanski.com/contribute

Mr. Hulsey wasn’t expecting any of this. He expected that if he stuck the label “Democrat” on his forehead, he would win. But now he’s finding that the electorate are not unthinking, party-line-voting robots. And he’s getting desperate, saying desperate, disturbing things. We expect thatthe Hulsey campaign will strike back, hard, at Ben in the coming week.  Please support Ben now, when he needs you most: http://votemanski.com/contribute

TX: Libertarian Steps Up to Challenge Republican Incumbent

From Abilene's Reporter News:

She has never lost an election. He has never won. On Nov. 2, state Rep. Susan King, the two-term Republican representative for District 71, will face Libertarian Fred Jones, a political activist who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2002 and 2006 and for a Texas House seat in 2004.

No Democrats entered the race this year because King has been so popular at the polls, a local Democratic official said. In fact, Democrats haven’t fought for the seat since it was up for grabs in 2006 following the retirement of then-Rep. Bob Hunter. King won the seat that year, besting three other Republicans, a Democrat and a Libertarian. Since then, she has drawn no opponent in two Republican primaries, and she dominated a general election against a Libertarian candidate in 2008 with 88 percent of the vote.

WI: The Case for Voting Independents into our State Legislatures

From the Madison Cap Times, an op-ed by Torrey Jaeckle, an independent candidate for state assembly:

It is time to recognize that if we are to achieve Lincoln’s view of “government of the people, by the people, for the people” it will mean turning away from career politicians in favor of electing thoughtful and creative citizens with successful private sector experience.


As an independent, I am tied to no party. I believe good governance should be about ideas and not about politics, power and special interests. Democrats and Republicans frequently work harder at playing political games than at solving the real issues facing our state. It’s time to move beyond the two-party system that so frequently leads to bitter divisions and partisan bickering. Let’s talk ideas, pushing forward those that make sense and are cost effective.

VT: Independent Todd Pritsky Endorsed by Progressive and Conservationist Groups

From Vermont Commons:

Independent Todd Pritsky is very proud to have received an endorsement from the Vermont League of Conservation Voters.  "I'm thrilled to be listed among so many Republicans, Progressives, Democrats and other Independents who are dedicated to a conservative approach in preserving Vermont's unique character while building a sustainable 21st century economy," Pritsky said.  Referring to the diverse slate announced today, he also remarked, "it shows that conservation goes beyond party lines and is just a traditional Vermont value."


The VTLCV endorsement comes on the heels of Todd's earning a nod from the non-partisan group Progressive Push last week.  "I was very pleased to receive that one, too," he said, noting that "the folks there accepted my position that fiscal responsibility and progressive policies go hand-in-hand."

MA: Unlike Democrats and Republicans, Actual Independent Candidates are Actually Independent of "Special Interests"

From Wicked Local:

Paul “Dan” Clifford, independent candidate for state representative from the Fifth Norfolk District that includes all of Braintree as well as Precinct 1 in Holbrook and Precinct 3 in Randolph, said, “You should know that unlike the status quo, I have not accepted special interest endorsements. As an independent, the only endorsement I seek is yours, the people’s, on Election Day on Nov. 2."

MA: Modern Whig Party Endorses Candidate for State Representative

From Wicked Local:

The Modern Whig Party (modernwhig.org) announced this week that they will be helping Lalig Musserian bring solutions oriented public service, not the partisan bickering that currently plagues Beacon Hill, to the people of the 24th Middlesex District. Lalig Musserian is the third candidate endorsed by the Modern Whig Party this year and the first candidate in Massachusetts. . . .

Lalig Musserian had this to say about her endorsement from the Modern Whig Party, “The Modern Whig party represents moderate voters who are from all walks of life, and who choose values based on common sense and non partisan solutions to the myriad of issues that face us in Belmont, North Cambridge and East Arlington. As one of 30,000 Americans across the country that associate themselves with the Whig party in the last few years, I am working in conjunction with an organization that reflects my political beliefs. Like many independent Americans, I have been disappointed in the partisan bickering found in the two main American parties as well as certain groups that state they represent the independent voice, but in fact are like the two parties and continue to bicker with no solutions. I know that the Modern Whig Party and I stand for the same ideals as a majority of moderate American voters. As a candidate for state representative I want only what is best for residents of the 24th Middlesex District."

Whig National Chairman Andrew Evans said, “Lalig Musserian is very involved in her community in a meaningful way. Lalig’s approach, common sense for uncommon times, resonates with all voters, especially those flocking to the Modern Whig Party. Voters in general are disgusted with the bickering between Republicans and Democrats, and are more concerned with solutions from all levels of government that keeps the real needs of real people in mind.”

SC: Longtime Republican Legislator Leaves GOP for Constitution Party

From Fits News, a press release from the SC Constitution Party:

Former South Carolina State Legislator runs for State House, 37th District, as a Constitution Party candidate . . .  Mr. Ralph Davenport, the owner of Davenport Glass Co., a conservative and former member of the South Carolina House, has switched from the Republican Party to the Constitution Party. After serving 22 years in the House as a Republican, he is now running for the SC House on the Constitution Party ticket.

PA: Purge of Libertarian Candidate from Ballot an "Affront to Citizens of Pennsylvania"

A letter to the editor of Penn Live, from ERIK VIKER, Libertarian Party candidate State House of Representatives, District 85:

The Pennsylvania Republican Party is supporting an effort to strike third-party candidates from the general election ballot in November.

While Democrats and Republicans can waltz onto the state ballot with no real effort, third-party candidates must collect more than 19,000 voter signatures to petition for the right to serve as a choice for Pennsylvania voters.

Despite this blatantly unfair requirement, the Libertarian Party candidates for U.S. senator, governor and Lt. governor demonstrated the trust of the people by filing well over the minimum number of petition signatures.

But for reasons that defy understanding, other than possibly a cowardly need to retain power, the GOP wants a court to deny these candidates their fair place on the ballot.

Ignoring all the evidence of voter dissatisfaction with same-old party politics, the Republican leadership has decided the people of Pennsylvania don’t deserve more choices on Election Day.

Mike Robertson, chairman of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania, calls this ploy an “affront to the citizens of Pennsylvania” and calls on all political party leaders to condemn this effort to restrict voter choices.

Republican candidates should disavow this shameful attempt to restrict certain citizens’ ability to be involved in government service.

ERIK VIKER
Libertarian Party candidate
State House of Representatives, District 85

AZ: Green Party write-in candidate offers lone alternative to establishmentarian Republican in race for state legislature

From AZ Central:

There are six Republicans vying for two spots in the state House of Representatives [District 22] and termed-out state Rep. Andy Biggs, also a Republican, is running unopposed for state senator. House candidates include incumbent Laurin Hendrix, who is seeking a second term, as well as former legislator Eddie Farnsworth, former Gilbert Councilman Steve Urie, Higley Unified School District Governing Board President Paul Howell, political newcomer Brett Petillo and "tea party" activist Kelly Townsend.

The only alternative to another two years of all-Republican representation in District 22 is write-in candidate Tim Hensley, a Green Party member seeking a spot in the state House. Write-in candidates have until Sept. 23 to register for the general election.

WA: Independent Takes on Democrats in Race for State House

From the Seattle Times:

The only independent in a race dominated by what he calls "dyed-in-the-wool Democrats," Geoffrey "Mac" McElroy, 46, wanted to give 34th District voters more diversity in political views. And so he has: Though he is socially liberal and takes the same stance as his opponents on several major issues, he considers himself more fiscally conservative, opposing a high-earners' income tax and supporting the privatization of liquor sales.

McElroy is himself a liquor purveyor: He owns the Triangle Pub in White Center, and as such, he's a fierce protector of small businesses. "Small businesses are the backbone of this state's economy," McElroy said. "They directly provide employment and an increased tax base, which means we have more money to pay for things."

McElroy also supports expanding public transportation, as long as all modes of transportation are connected and under the same authority's purview. He said light rail was a great idea but there wasn't enough planning, including coordinating stop locations with the King County Metro bus system or analyzing where stops should best be placed.
"The light rail drops you off a quarter mile from the airport!" he said. McElroy's campaign funds come almost entirely from small businesses in the 34th District, with the exception of Commerce Bridge in Bellevue. He's reported raising more than $5,000 in contributions.

WI: Ben Manski Energizes Progressives in Run for State Assembly

Via GPW:


Ben Manski, the Wisconsin Green Party candidate for State Assembly in the 77th district, sent out the following message on July 17th:

I turn 36 today. I want to celebrate this day by sharing some very good news with you. As of the close of business today, I am officially a candidate for election to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

I am running for an open seat on the progressive west side of Madison, where I grew up and went to school. I cut my teeth on anti-war, environmental, student, and labor activism in this assembly district. I have roots and history going back nearly three decades in this district. I can win this race, and with your help, I will win.

My life has allowed me to meet many wonderful people. And it has taken me unusual places. I’ve found myself in courtrooms, jail cells, and bar association meetings; business conferences and labor conventions; northwoods forests and urban streets. And my life has found me, from time to time, sitting-in at the office of some public official to insist that a vote is taken, a process opened up, or a policy followed . . .

. . . and don’t think that in all that time, it didn’t once cross my mind that it would be nice, for a change, to be on the other side of the desk. It would be fantastic to be in a position to welcome students, unionists, farmers, community leaders, and seniors into their offices to strategize how together we would make social change move faster. Much faster.

With this campaign, we are going to make history. Madison is buzzing about this race. On Sunday, the Wisconsin State Journal featured an article by John Nichols about this campaign. Yesterday, the Isthmus newspaper noted that the election news of the week was my entry into this race.

Volunteers are signing up. Money is coming in. In fact, the very first five, unsolicited contributions that came in were each in the amount of $100. We are taking those first five contributions as a sign, and launching “The Manski 500″ — a race to see how quickly we can collect 500 contributions of $100 or more, each.

Please join the race. Contribute $100, or $50, or $500 (the limit allowed under law) or whatever makes the most sense given your budget — and your desire to see a win:

You can contribute, volunteer, share policy ideas, and read all about the campaign, and my platform on my new website at www.VoteManski.com

I look forward to hearing from you, and to opening doors for you in the Wisconsin State Capitol.
In Solidarity,
Ben Manski
p.s. – the earlier you contribute, the sooner we can order buttons, campaign literature, yard signs, and open an office so that our many volunteers can do the work necessary to win this fall. Thank you for helping now.

PA: Democrat Endorses Green for State Legislature

From the Roxborough Review:

The race for state representative in the 194th district has been very interesting so far, and has just become a bit more interesting. On July 9, Green Party candidate Hugh Giordano received the support and endorsement of former Democratic Primary candidate Bill Morris.

Hugh Giordano said, “Bill is a great person and is honest and an honorable man. If more Democratic politicians had the courage he does, the party would be a much different organization.”

WV: Independent Files for State Legislature

From the Intelligencer:

A Weirton resident has filed as an Independent candidate in the race for a 1st District seat in the West Virginia House of Delegates. Lawyer Amanda Mesler, 29, will face two Democrats - incumbent Delegate Randy Swartzmiller, D-Hancock, and Weirton Councilman Ronnie Jones - on the Nov. 2 general election ballot. Two candidates will be elected, and there are no Republicans in the race.

FL: Tea Party Nominates 20 Candidates for State Legislature

A press release from the Florida Tea Party sent via email:

(Orlando, FL)- Florida TEA Party Chairman Fred O'Neal announced that twenty (20) candidates for the Florida legislature met qualifying deadline today to qualify for the November general election. All would have the word 'TEA' appear on the ballot next to their name and are the official nominees of the TEA party.

"We promised months ago that Republicans that merely talked about lower taxes but then voted for bigger government would be targeted. Today, incoming Florida Speaker of the House Dean Cannon, incoming Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, and Democrat leader Ron Saunders all have Florida TEA Party opponents," said O'Neal.

"We will expose these RINO Republicans as the frauds that they are. Taxpayers have a right to a real choice and the TEA Party will give it to them."

O'Neal expects to wage a vigorous grassroots campaign that will oppose the influence of vested special interest money. "Just look at the millions of dollars that Cannon and Haridopolos have raised so far from lobbyists. It is an embarrassment that the Florida legislature is for sale to the highest bidder."

"For over a decade the Republicans have had a majority in Tallahassee and a Republican in the governor's mansion...and all we have to show for it is tax and spend policies that have helped bankrupt Florida's economy."

"We pleased to have a TEA Party candidate running in a Democrat stronghold district that the Republicans were afraid to challenge," he said. O'Neal was referring to Dr. Marshal DeRosa, a professor at Florida Atlantic University running in Senate District 30.

O'Neal also pointed out that Florida TEA Party candidates have qualified from Florida's panhandle to Key West and demonstrate a strong beginning for a brand new political party.

Florida TEA Party is an official political party recognized by the State of Florida and authorized by Florida Division of Elections to place candidates on the November ballot.

www.FloridaTEAParty.US

NY: Green Enters Race for State Assembly

From CNYLink:

Michael F. Donnelly, a local attorney, declared his candidacy today as the Green Party candidate for Assembly Member from the 119th District. Donnelly's candidacy will assure that there will be a competitive general election for the seat for which the Republicans have no declared candidate and three Democrats are competing for the nomination in a primary. The 119th Assembly District includes much of the south and east sides of Syracuse and the towns of Dewitt, Onondaga, and Salina and the Onondaga Nation Territory.

Donnelly said, “We must always remember that in a democracy the government is not a thing apart from the people, it is of the people, by the people, and for the people. The Republicans and Democrats in Albany have forgotten their duty to the people of New York, with their petty squabbles over legislators’ personal privileges and which Party gets to bang the gavel they have turned New York government into a bad joke. The time has come to remind the corporate parties’ leadership that the people choose their representatives. There can be no more effective message than electing an independent."