Third parties are no longer a waste of time…

Third parties are no longer a waste of time… is the take from Constitution Party National Committee Chairman Jim Clymer. In a news release from the party he’s quoted saying, “Voters used to think they’d be wasting their votes by voting for a third party candidate… Those days appear to be over.”

His comments were in response to former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich’s talk on voters looking beyond the “Big Box” parties of Democrats and Republicans.

Clymer said, “I ask those wondering about the third party option how long they think it will take to get the kind of government they believe in, if they keep voting for people who won’t support their views.” The news release added that Republicans are now free for the taking because they no longer have to support their candidate in the White House.

With more independent voters available Clymer says, “2012 is up for grabs!”

SOURCE:

http://www.constitutionparty.com/news.php?aid=920

We don't want a good candidate...

We don't want a good candidate... that could be the take of the Vermont Progressive Party in the up coming Gubernatorial election.

According to a story on timesargus.com, Vermont Democratic State Senator Doug Racine is going to be running in the Democratic primary for Governor against a number of other people. If State Senator Racine does not win the primary he may be looking at running as a Progressive.

Racine has been talking to the Progressive Party. The article written by Peter Hirschfeld says Racine has been speaking at state Progressive Party committee meeting in an attempt to line up support.

Here’s where it gets interesting. The article quotes the head of the Vermont Progressive Party Morgan Daybell, saying two-way race in 2010 the best scenario for Democrats and Progressives alike. He's quoted saying, "Obviously, a two-person contest is better." So if the Democrats choose a candidate the could be viable for the Governor’s Office, Progressives may back off running a strong candidate.

Daybell’s quote continues, "In 2007 and 2008, (Progressive candidate Anthony Pollina's) attempts to reach out to Democrats was all part of a strategy to make it a two-way race in the absence of any strong Democratic candidate willing to run. How that plays out in 2010 I don't know yet."

SOURCE:

http://www.timesargus.com/article/20090607/NEWS01/906070343/1002/NEWS01

Go Green for office...

Go Green for office... the call is out in Illinois for people to run for office in 2010. The Illinois Greens want to double their number of candidates from 2008. The Greens had 56 candidates in Illinois for the 2008 election.

The Illinois Green Party is asking for people around the state to consider a run for office in 2010.

A posting on their website says they want to find candidates for, "every partisan race in the state, including U.S. Senator, Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and State Comptroller; all 19 U.S. House seats; 20 Illinois Senate seats; all 118 Illinois House seats; and hundreds of county-level office, including County Clerk, County Treasurer, and County Sheriff in most counties, and about half of all County Board seats across the state."

The Party's goal is to have a candidate in every statewide race, nearly every congressional race plus, "at least 20% of all state legislative races, and dozens of candidates for county office."

SOURCE:

http://ilgp.org/2010-call-for-candidates

Member of grunge band Nirvana "running" for office...

Member of grunge band Nirvana "running" for office... kind of. A number of media reports says Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic has filed to run for county clerk in Wahkiakim County, Washington (hundreds according to Google News). He's running on the "Grange Party" ticket. Doesn't sound familiar? It shouldn't it does not exist.

The Washington Post reports that Novoselic's run for office is a publicity stunt. One that's working. The publicity is to get attention for a Washington State law that allows candidates to file for whatever party they wish run under even fictitious parties. He's quoted in the Post article saying, "It's complicated. It confuses voters and it disenfranchises voters. And we should think about a settlement that speaks to the needs and values of Washington voters."

The report says Novoselic does not want to win, and even plans to vote for the incumbent. He'll resign if he wins.

SOURCES:

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/archives/170344.asp?source=mypi

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postrock/2009/06/krist_novoselic_is_a_candidate.html

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/edcetera/2009306318_krist_novoselic_grange_party.html

Another Whig is on...

Another Whig is on... the ballot. The second Modern Whig Party candidate to run for office has made it official.

Gene L. Baldassari qualified to run for New Jersey Assembly in the 14th Legislative District. He has become "New Jersey’s first candidate on the Modern Whig Party".

Paul C. McKain, who is running for Congress from Florida, became the first Modern Whig candidate ever.

SOURCES:

http://www.paulmckain.com/

http://www.VoteGene.com/

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=

10 Independent/Third Party candidates qualify for NJ Governor’s race…

10 Independent/Third Party candidates qualify for NJ Governor’s race… that’s the report from NJ.com.

The report says one of those independents expects to get public matching funds for the election. Christopher J. Daggett, a former Department of Environmental Protection commissioner according to a line from the report claims to be, “close to raising enough money to qualify for public matching funds, which would give him cash and a spot in official televised debates.”

Daggett is running under the "Independent for NJ” party.

Also running for the office are:

David R. Meiswinkle of the "Middle Class Empowerment" party.

Kostas Petris of the "For The People” party.

Joshua Leinsdorf running on the "Fair Election Party" ticket.

Gary T. Steele holds the "Leadership, Independence, Vision" ticket nod.

Jason Cullen will have "People Not Politics" next to his name.

Kenneth R. Kaplan is the "Libertarian Party" candidate.

Gregory Pason is the "Socialist Party USA" candidate.

Gary Stein is labeled is "Independent."

Alvin Lindsay Jr. has a pretty clear party, "Lindsay for Governor."

Gov. Jon Corzine is the Democrat candidate and the Republican is Chris Christie.

SOURCE:

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/10_independent_candidates_for.html