Constitution Party backed candidate trying to get GOP nod…

A candidate who says he is backed by the Constitution Party is trying to get the Republican nomination for Congress in Texas. Trish Choate writes on GoSanAngelo.com that Michael Barrett is trying to unseat incumbent Republican Congressman Mac Thornberry. Thornberry was first elected to Congress in 1994.

Choate writes, “Michael Barrett of Nocona Hills plans to challenge Thornberry, but he’s shooting for the nomination from the Constitution Party instead of the Republican Party… Barrett, 54, said Constitution Party members approached him and have promised financial support.” Choate quotes Barrett saying the Republican party has “gone too much to the middle”.

SOURCE:

http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2009/dec/03/area-congressmen-file-for-re-election-in-2010/

West Virginia getting help from Texas…

West Virginia getting help from Texas… to grow the party.

The Libertarian Party of West Virginia has called in support from Texas to get help in getting candidates on ballots. Wes Benedict, the Former Executive Director of the Libertarian Party of Texas, has written a letter to West Virginia Libertarians about ballot access and candidate recruitment.

He writes of having a goal of 10 Libertarian candidates on the November 2010 ballot in West Virginia. The letter mentions last Libertarian Party candidate on the West Virginia ran candidates for office was Michael Badnarik’s 2004 President campaign. Bob Barr failed to get onto the 2008 ballot.

Benedict ends the letter, “I can’t guarantee that they’ll be successful or that nothing will go wrong. I’m in Texas, not West Virginia. However, I do hope that others will recognize that Matt Harris and the LPWV are showing initiative and making things happen…” He also asked for donations to help in ballot access efforts.

SOURCE:

http://www.lpwv.org/2009/06/01/help-the-lpwv-put-candidates-into-office/

Horning going South...

Horning going South... to Texas. The Indianapolis Business Journal is reporting that the Libertarian Party of Indiana “stalwart” Andy Horning is leaving the state. He’s moving to Texas for a job – there’s no word on what job.

The report says Horning ran for Indianapolis mayor in 1999 and Indiana governor in 2000 and 2008. The report added, “In addition to mayor and governor, Horning also unsuccessfully ran for state representative in District 96 in 1996, Marion Countyrecorder in 1998, and for U.S. Congress in the 7th District in 2002, all under the Libertarian banner.”

Horning received 57,376 votes, more than 2 percent, in last year’s gubernatorial election.

SOURCE:

http://www.ibj.com/html/detail_page.asp?content=38967

http://www.in.gov/apps/sos/election/general/general2008?page=office&countyID=-1&officeID=37&districtID=-1&candidate=

Texas now getting ready for indys...

Texas now getting ready for indys... thanks to Texas House Bill 1193.  On Tuesday the bill was placed on the placed on Local, Consent, and Res. Calendar.  The bill, which passed committee about one month ago, now is rolling along.

The bill is good for both major and minor parties.  The bill keeps the most rules in place, but the big change is allowing filing for Presidential Candidates up until one day after a party's convention.

This was a big concern in the 2008 election.  The old rules said a candidate had to file 70 days before the general election.  With conventions moving later on the calendar a number of parties were in the danger zone of not qualifying for the Texas ballot (and all of those electoral votes).

There was even a lawsuit involving Bob Barr (Lib).

SOURCES:

Representative Kelly Hancock - http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist91/hancock.php

Representative John E. Davis - http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist129/davis.php

Representative Dan Flynn - http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist2/flynn.php

Texas House - http://www.legis.state.tx.us/billlookup/Actions.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1193&Sort=A

DallasNews.com "Libertarian Bob Barr sues to have McCain, Obama cast off Texas' ballot" - http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/state/stories/DN-barr_19pol.ART.State.Edition1.268aa61.html