Although it had already been reported that the Libertarian Party won ten partisan elections in Pennsylvania on November 3, 2009, it had not been previously reported that two of the wins were in a contest in which the Libertarians had ballot-listed major party opponents.
Many minor party victories in partisan races in Pennsylvania occur because the minor party nominees are the only candidates on the ballot. Many small townships in Pennsylvania have trouble finding individuals willing to serve.
However, in the recent election for Borough Council in Houston, Pennsylvania, the two Libertarians who were elected had Democratic Party opponents on the November 3, 2009 ballot. Houston is in Washington County, in the southwest part of the state. It has a population of 1,314. The voters were choosing three council members. The results were: Libertarian Paula Meddings 119 votes, Libertarian Chad Roberts 118 votes, Democrat James Stubenbordt 97 votes, Democrat David Schmalz 91 votes, Libertarian Seth Fosmire 57 votes. So, two Libertarians and one Democrat were elected.
The first libertarians were the original Democrat Party, where Jefferson was its first up to and including Grover Cleveland, cited in THE CHANGING FACE OF DEMOCRATS on Amazon and claysamerica.com. They were fixated on state’s rights, keeping the fed small and sticking with a metal standard for money, to prvent what we experience today. Of course, the modern Democrat follows Rousseau and Marx.
This is the strategy that all 3rd parties need to learn. While there is nothing wrong with the symbolic Presidential/Vice-Presidential ticket every 4 years, 3rd partisans (and straight out “independents”) need to start on a playing field that is somewhat level and build from there.
While I am not a Libertarian, I still congratulate these candidates for their achievements. Now, what they need to do is prove to the public that 3rd partisans DO know how to government. Serve in these local offices with honor and accomplishment, then after a term or two there, seek a higher office – such as a county commission seat or even a state legislative seat – if such are obtainable. And if that next climb is successful, continue the climb in due time.
Eventually, the day will come when voters will accept non-Democratic and non-Republican officeholders as just as qualified and if we show the voters that we can govern, they’ll trust us for the larger offices – someday perhaps the Presidency.
Has anyone found out yet if that Libertarian running in the Constable race in Erie, PA ultimately won the election?
He had to draw a ping pong ball out of a box, cause the race with his Republican opponent was tied 4 to 4.
The drawing was held last Friday at the Courthouse. I saw an article about it at Erie.com, but they only reported on the top two tied races, and didn’t mention the Constable’s race.
I’ve got an email into the reporter, but he hasn’t responded yet.
Winger, have you heard anything yet?
Clay Barham, I don’t believe you’ve actually studied any history.
Jefferson was the in the Democratic-Republican Party, which, yes, later split into the Democrat Party, and some members actually left for the Whigs.
In addition, the Democrat Party of today follows none of the economic philosophies of Marx (how I wish they did!). Marx advocated a takeover of the state by the working class so that the workers would run the government and own the means of production. The Democrats neither espouse these ideas nor have even hinted at supporting them. The Democrat Party is just as pro-business and anti-worker (and therefore anti-Marx) as the Republican Party. “Big government” does not equal “socialism.”