Paul Carpenter, a regular columnist for the Allentown Morning Call, wrote on July 16 that Pennsylvania’s two major parties collude with each other. Specifically, grand jury testimony about the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has revealed that 60% of the contracts for work on the turnpike must go to contractors who have contributed to the party that holds a majority in the State Senate, and 40% to the other major party. Carpenter concludes that the two major parties do not see each other as adversaries, and that they have cooperated to block the rise of any new party. Thanks to Roy Christman for the link.

Luis Rodriguez, the Justice Party’s vice-presidential nominee in 2012, has re-registered into the Green Party, and will run for Governor of California in 2014. See this story from Green Party Watch.

On July 16, both Public Policy Polling and Quinnipiac University Polls released Virginia gubernatorial election returns. The Public Policy Poll included all three candidates listed on the ballot, and got these results: Democrat Terry McAuliffe 41%, Republican Ken Cuccinelli 37%, Libertarian Rob Sarvis 7%, undecided 15%. See the details here.

The Quinnipiac University Poll did not mention Sarvis, and merely asked respondents if they favor McAuliffe, Cuccinelli, or “someone else.” The “someone else” category polled at only 1%. In this poll, McAuliffe was at 43% and Cuccinelli at 39%, with 17% undecided.

If Sarvis could get 10%, the Virginia Libertarian Party would be ballot-qualified for the next two elections. Thanks to Doug McNeil for the link.