On July 20, Ben Brandon, chairman of the Dade County, Georgia, County Commission, said he is switching from the Libertarian Party to the Republican Party. He had been elected as a Libertarian in 2004. County Commissioner is a partisan office, and his 2004 election had marked the first time since 1968 that any member of a party (other than the two major parties) had won a partisan election in Georgia.
Brandon said, “This in no way indicates any ill will toward the Libertarian Party”. “It’s just an admission that this is a two-party system, and if you want to be effective and contribute something you need to be one of those two parties.” He said his party label prevented him from being included in some policy discussions, especially at the state and federal level.
The last sentence is particularly disturbing if true. That would seem not only unjust and unfair but potentially illegal.
I see this as a terrible sellout.
He was elected as a Libertarian — although I believe the position is non-partisan, still he was known as a Libertarian — and I think he should resign and give the voters a chance to confirm or reject his party switch.
Supposedly one of the reasons one becomes a Libertarian is to prove the “two-party” myth is just that.
the position was partisan.
this is a blow for GA LP. will be interested to see how they do in the elections this fall in Georgia
Thank you, Kyle B. If he was elected running under the label Libertarian, then what I said goes double: He should resign and run again.
Kyle,
While we’ll miss Ben, I don’t see it as a blow for the LPGeorgia. Over the last 7 months we’ve hired two staff members, increased activity 500%, built affiliates… we’re running candidates, doing some small advertising, etc…
The LPGeorgia is much stronger now than it was a year ago, and we’ll continue to build on the principles of the Libertarian Party.
It’s a blow to building any belief in or respect for politics, though.
It’s another brick in the wall of cynicism that prevents more decent people from participating.
It adds more fuel to the fire that keeps people from trusting any “politician,” even the ones who start out by saying, “I’m not like them other guys, the Republocrats and Demagogues.”
When they sell out like this guy did, it is a blow to a heck of a lot of effort some of us have been putting in for some 30-plus years.
being active in Georgia politics I have to say I don’t see how you could not see this as bad blow for the GA LP.
Plus with him leaving the party you miss out on the chance of having him running for a bigger office. Having an elected Libertarian running for State House, State Senate, or a Statewide office would of been a big step in my mind for the GA LP
I respect the decision of Ben Brandon to gain influence for the liberty movement. I have met him and believe him to be a good man committed to the principles of liberty.
I certainly understand the perception this gives people. It is disappointing anytime the LP loses its ability to promote its accomplishments. However, the remedy is not to sulk. Do what I did; get yourself elected and demonstrate your commitment to principles. When more Libertarians project a positive image of accomplishment, the 2 party system will lose power. That is when elected officials will proudly carry the Libertarian label.
Patrick Dixon
Chair, Libertarian Party of Texas (www.LPTexas.org)
Council member (www.PatDixon.org)