On April 3, the Green Party and the Independent Party both turned in petitions for the purpose of being qualified parties in Hawaii. Hawaii requires 663 signatures. The Independent Party, composed of Ralph Nader supporters, turned in approximately 2,100. The Green Party turned in approximately 1,500.
Bob Barr appeared for 20 minutes on the Sean Hannity Radio Show on April 3. He virtually said he will seek the Libertarian Party presidential nomination. It is possible a transcript is, or will be, available at www.hannity.com.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, uses partisan city elections. On April 1, an Independent candidate, David Patrick, was elected to the City Council from district 3. He defeated the incumbent Democrat, Roscoe Turner, by a 55%-45% margin.
Independent candidate ballot access in Oklahoma (for all office except president) is very easy. No petition is needed; the independent merely pays the filing fee and is placed on the general election. However, it is very rare for independent candidates to win elections in Oklahoma. The state uses a “straight-ticket” device, which always hurts independent candidates. David Patrick had run for the city council in the past as a Democrat, but this time he felt he was more likely to win a general election, than a Democratic primary, and his strategy worked. No Republican was in the race. Thanks to Jim Linger for the news.
This Daily News column by Elizabeth Benjamin, dated March 31, reveals that the Working Families Party of New York state is angry with Democrats in the New York State Senate. The article quotes the WFP state chair as saying that on some issues, Republicans in that body are more helpful.
On April 3, the Addison Independent published this interview with Anthony Pollina, Progressive Party candidate for Vermont Governor.
