In last week’s election, the Constitution Party nominee for U.S. House, 3rd district, outpolled the Democratic nominee in two counties, Millard and Sanpete Counties. The Utah 3rd district is represented by Republican Chris Cannon. The Constitution Party nominee, Jim Noorlander, had defected from the Republican Party earlier this year to become the Constitution Party nominee.
An earlier posting that said the Nevada Libertarian Party had not polled enough votes to remain on the ballot was erroneous. The party’s candidate for Washoe County Assessor, Tom Koziel, polled 5,852 votes. The law required any nominee to poll votes equal to 1% of the total statewide congressional vote, which this year equalled 5,746.
The irony is that the party (which nominates by convention) had originally not nominated anyone for Washoe County Assessor. Later, the state chair of the party, Brendon Trainor, sent in an amended list of nominees, including Koziel. State law gave Trainor authority to add additional nominees to the list. However, other party activists did not agree with that additional nomination, and were so irritated with Koziel’s supplemental nomination that Trainor was removed as state chair.
The Congressional Directory is a book published by the staff of the United States Congress, every two years. The new version is being prepared for printing. Employees of the Congressional Directory recently asked Senator Joseph Lieberman how they should list him, Independent or Democrat? His answer, revealed by the Senator himself on “Meet the Press” on November 12, is “Independent Democrat.” Therefore, the Directory tally for the new Senate will be 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans, 1 Independent, and 1 Independent Democrat.
Lieberman reiterated his pledge to vote to organize the Senate with Democratic Party leadership.
Doug Friedline died on November 10, of a heart attack, at the age of 49. He had been been a leading political consultant for anyone who ran for office outside the major parties. He had worked for Ross Perot and had assumed leadership in Jesse Ventura’s campaign. He had also worked for at least one Libertarian gubernatorial candidate, in New Jersey, and had been working for Max Linn (Reform Party candidate for Governor of Florida) this year. Friedline’s home was in Chappaqua, New York, but he died in Treasure Island, Florida. Thanks to Darcy Richardson for this news.
Ballot Access News is only aware of eleven instances at which minor parties won partisan elections on November 7, 2006. If anyone knows of any not mentioned below, please comment.
The known instances for state office are six Vermont Progressives elected to the Vermont House, and one Constitution Party nominee elected to the Montana House.
For local partisan office, the list is: Libertarian Steve Coffman elected to the Liberty Township Board in Henry County, Indiana; Libertarian Conley Tillson elected to the Clay Township Board in Wayne County, Indiana; Jackie Berg, Constitution Party nominee elected Clerk-Treasurer of Eureka County; Cel Ochoa, Constitution Party nominee elected Constable in Searchlight, Nevada. These local office minor party nominees all defeated major party nominees, with one exception. In the Clay Township Board election, three members were to be elected, yet only two Republicans (and no Democrats) ran against three Libertarians.
