The Pennsylvania Libertarian Party has nominated Ebert Beeman to run for U.S. House, 3rd district. This district, in northwest Pennsylvania, is one of the most closely balanced U.S. House districts in the nation. In 2008 the vote had been Kathy Dahlkemper, Democrat, 146,846 votes; Phil English, Republican incumbent, 139,707.
Beeman was elected to the Erie County Council, 6th district, in a partisan election in November 2009, as a Republican. However, he had been a registered Libertarian as recently as May 2009. In the 2009 general election, the Republican Party had opposed Beeman even though he was the Republican nominee. Beeman won anyway, with only 32.14% of the vote. The November 2009 vote was Republican (Beeman) 2,132 votes; Democratic 1,924; write-ins 1,624; independent Steven Porter 773 votes; and Green Party 180 votes. Beeman is an interesting person; see this news story from October 2009 describing him.
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“Interesting person” is an extreme understatement.
Okay, two important points:
Firstly, Beeman is one of at least two openly serving Libertarian-Republicans, the other being NYC Councilman Dan Halloran, who was elected on both the GOP and LP tickets. Good think the LP is now recognizing these folks as elected Libertarians. It’s been a long time coming.
Second, of an odd nature. Does anyone know whatever came of the “bingo” election in Erie County? A Libertarian and a Republican each got 4 votes. Local law dictates tied elections are decided by a bingo ball drawing on the courthouse steps. This was about 10 months ago. Never heard if the Libertarian won?
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