HARRISBURG, Pa. - A lawyer for the Libertarian Party predicted Monday that its candidates will remain on the Pennsylvania ballot, overcoming a protracted challenge backed by the Republican Party.

The attorney, Paul Rossi, said there is "zero chance" that the Libertarians will come up shy of the 20,601 voters' signatures they need to keep presidential nominee Gary Johnson and the party's other statewide candidates listed on the ballot in the Nov. 6 election.

"I'm feeling fantastic," Rossi said in a telephone interview as the review of tens of thousands of petition signatures entered its eighth week, including a rare weekend session on Saturday.

The challengers are seeking to disqualify about 100 signatures they had previously stipulated as acceptable in a motion that Commonwealth Court Senior Judge James Gardner Colins is expected to consider at a Philadelphia hearing on Tuesday afternoon.

Rossi said approval of the motion is unlikely and speculated that, even if it is approved, the Libertarians could easily pick up more than enough additional signatures through reviews of the more than 1,000 that were still contested.

Even the judge, in an e-mail obtained by The Associated Press, implied that the Libertarians appeared likely to prevail.

"Obviously, you both can see that magic number of 20,601 has been reached," Colins wrote, thanking lawyers for their Saturday efforts. "However, the count will continue on Tuesday morning as there is still outstanding the motion to withdraw stipulations."

The challengers were not conceding Monday.

"The numbers are what they are, but we will be in court tomorrow," said Larry Otter, an attorney for the challengers.

Johnson, a former two-term Republican New Mexico governor, has campaigned in Pennsylvania three times this year.

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Libertarians predict victory in Pa. ballot fight

Posted on: 4:22 pm, October 9, 2012, by Lauren Mackey and Alix Bryan, updated on: 04:52pm, October 9, 2012

Richmond, VA (WTVR)- Libertarian presidential candidate and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson will visit Richmond later this week.

Johnson will travel to the Maggie Walker Governors School on Thursday to meet with students.

Maggie Walker is the only one of Virginias 19 academic Governors Schools whose mission focuses on government and international studies.

The Libertarian group at Maggie Walker is known as the Students of Liberty, and they encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free individuals, through promoting the benefits of free markets, civil society, and individual liberty.

Johnsonwas the Republican Governor of New Mexico from 1995-2003. He believes that decisions should be made based on cost-benefit analysis rather than strict ideology.

His website is here:http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/about

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Libertarian Presidential candidate to visit Richmond

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 8, 2012) - Adding to the groundswell of opposition building against Measure B, the so-called "Safer Sex" initiative on the Nov. 6th ballot in Los Angeles County, the Republican and Libertarian Parties of Los Angeles County both joined in announcing their opposition to the controversial ballot initiative, said the No on Government Waste Committee.

"With the Republican and Libertarian Parties both announcing their opposition to Measure B, the truth about this ridiculous proposal is finally getting out and voters are beginning to see what the consequences will be for taxpayers and public health should Measure B pass," said James Lee, communications director for the No on Government Waste Committee. "As ballots are being mailed out this week to voters, they can read the arguments for themselves and come to the same conclusions both parties did in opposing this measure."

Lee also noted that the Democratic Party of Los Angeles County declined to endorse the initiative as well, meaning that no major political party in the county has endorsed Measure B.

"The absence of support for the Measure B is deafening," Lee said. "We also have the support of the largest business group in the San Fernando Valley and 22 chambers of commerce throughout the county in opposition to it. We are confident as voters read the arguments, more of them will do likewise and reject it."

According to the California Dept. of Public Health, from June 30, 2008 to June 30, 2011, there were 6,447 new cases of HIV reported in Los Angeles County, but only two were adult performers, both of whom did not contract the disease on-set. Since 2004, there have been no documented cases of HIV transmission on an adult entertainment set.

Measure B, funded and placed on the ballot by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, would require the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to license and permit adult movie productions in the county and require performers to wear condoms and create an unworkable system of on-set inspections and enforcement by county personnel. The county estimates initial start-up costs for the program to be in excess of $300,000, but acknowledges that regardless of the level of compliance by the adult film industry, there would be significant cost to the Department of Public Health.

No on Government Waste Committee The Committee is comprised of entertainment companies, local business organizations, community activists, adult entertainment performers and healthcare advocates who oppose Measure B's plan for creating an underfunded government inspection program diverting badly needed resources from local community clinics and underserved minority communities. For more information, please visit: http://www.noongovernmentwaste.com.

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Los Angeles County Republican and Libertarian Parties Join Growing List of Groups Opposing Measure B

* Libertarian Republican Amash faces challenge in redrawn

district

* Congressman's new Michigan district is accustomed to

moderates

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct 9 (Reuters) - U.S. freshman

Republican Congressman Justin Amash has not been afraid to rub

his party - and sometimes his western Michigan constituents -

the wrong way.

And he makes no excuses about the many things he has cast

votes against.

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Will voters send U.S. House's 'Mr. No' back to Washington?

Reuters

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said he's not concerned that Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson will tip the scales in November.

"In fact, I see that it's almost a nonfactor," Priebus said on CNN's "State of the Union."

With the presidential race in a statistical dead heat, Johnson's presence on the ballot could influence the horse race in crucial battleground states by pulling votes away from GOP nominee Mitt Romney.

However, Johnson's campaign told CNN last month that some of the candidate's popularity comes from former supporters of President Barack Obama in states like Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.

A new poll released Sunday by the University of Denver showed 47% of likely voters in Colorado said they would vote for Obama, while 43% chose Romney. Four percent, however, indicated they would vote for someone else.

Some have pointed to third-party candidate Ross Perot's significant share of the vote - 19% - in the 1992 presidential election, which is believed to have drawn support away from incumbent President George H. W. Bush.

Johnson, a former 2012 Republican presidential candidate who became the Libertarian nominee in May, is rarely included in national polls, but a recent CNN/ORC International Poll indicated 4% of likely voters back Johnson, while 3% support Green Party candidate Jill Stein. Obama, meanwhile, had 47%, with Romney at 44% when all four candidates were factored in.

However, Priebus argued Johnson lacks the popularity and name recognition to represent a strong enough threat to turn the election for either candidate.

"(Voters) are not going to throw their vote away when we have an election here that's about the future of America. I don't see that happening," Priebus told CNN Chief Political Correspondent Candy Crowley.

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Libertarian Party candidate gets 4% in recent poll

The Libertarian Party's candidate for West Virginia governor believes the state should do away with its personal income tax.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Libertarian Party's candidate for West Virginia governor believes the state should do away with its personal income tax.

"The tax laws in our nation have become convoluted and rife with exemptions," said David Moran, a Preston County farmer and adjunct West Virginia University professor.

"I advocate the elimination of the personal income tax in West Virginia ... The personal income tax is regressive, punishing the people who work the hardest. I advocate the complete elimination of the personal income tax."

West Virginians pay more than $1.7 billion in personal income tax each year, according to the state's latest report. The money accounts for more than 41 percent of the state's general revenue budget, which funds almost every government program in the state, from schools and colleges to highways to the State Police.

"We have gone through the entire budget to identify areas we could cut," Moran said.

"We spend an incredible amount of money incarcerating prisoners, especially nonviolent prisoners jailed for things like smoking marijuana or traffic violations. It would be better to have them out on work release.

"That is just one example of something that would save us hundreds of millions of dollars."

Moran also urges the elimination of some state regulatory groups.

"Commissions like the [Alcohol Beverage Control Administration] are not necessary. They are holdovers from the 1930s. DMV [the Division of Motor Vehicles] inspection services could also be streamlined."

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Libertarian candidate wants state income tax gone

Libertarian Dan Cox is running against Sen. Jon Tester and Congressman Denny Rehberg

The race between U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg remains tight with a month before the election. Some Republicans worry and some Democrats hope that Libertarian Dan Cox could take needed conservative votes away from Rehberg.

A polling call targeting likely Rehberg voters promotes Cox as the real constitutional conservative in the race. The pollster isn't identifying which group is behind the call.

Kathy Means, an "actively involved" voter from Florence, said she became suspicious when the pollster kept trying to persuade her to pick Cox over Rehberg. She said the pollster pointed out Rehberg's past support for the Patriot Act, and other sensitive issues for libertarian-minded conservatives.

So-called "push polls" can be used to negatively portray a candidate in an effort to push voters to another candidate.

The Rehberg campaign called the poll a deceptive tactic. Spokesman Chris Bond said they suspect some third-party Tester ally is behind it.

"Montanans are smart, and they're not going to fall for this brand of dirty, deceptive politics coming from Sen. Tester's side," Bond said.

The Tester campaign said it had nothing to do with the calls.

But Cox said it isn't the only fishy call. He said Rehberg allies are calling his likely supporters and trying to talk them into voting for Rehberg.

Cox, who lives in Hamilton and runs an Internet fishing tackle store, said his wife got a call making the rounds to past Ron Paul donors.

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Libertarian Could be Senate Race Spoiler

Dan Reale, Libertarian Party candidate for Congress in Eastern Connecticuts 2nd District, is balking at his exclusion from an Oct. 29 debate at Connecticut College and says he plans to go to the event any way.

Debate sponsors Connecticut Public Television and The Day newspaper have decided to limit the debate to Democratic incumbent Joe Courtney of Vernon and Republican Paul Formica, the first selectman of East Lyme. Reale, a Plainfield resident, and Colin Bennett, the Green Party candidate who lives in Westbrook, will not be allowed to participate.

CPTV is providing time for a one-hour telecast and having four candidates in the debate would dilute the limited time we have for questions that it would provide little opportunity for a true debate, Day Editorial Page Editor Paul Choiniere wrote in an email to Reale.

Reale said the exclusion will hurt his and Bennetts campaigns since the Oct. 29 New London event will likely be the final debate before voters cast ballots Nov. 6. Unaffiliated voters outnumber both Democrats and Republicans thus all candidates on the ballot should be given a final opportunity to address the electorate, said Reale, who is also chairman of the Libertarian Party of Connecticut.

I suppose its The Days and CPTVs right to hand out free advertising under the pretense of an actual debate of all the issues, he wrote in an email. The Day should call a spade a spade and not pretend this debate is something its not. If its not going to represent an actual forum then it should say so. Id even applaud the admission as an honest change of policy.

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Libertarian Congressional candidate balks at debate exclusion

AP Photo/The New Mexican, Clyde Mueller

Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson announces his bid for the Libertarian Party nomination for president of the United States, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, in the rotunda of the New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M. Johnson, a long-shot candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, said Wednesday he was leaving the GOP in favor of running as aLibertarian.

By Karoun Demirjian (contact)

Friday, Oct. 5, 2012 | 2 a.m.

Washington

When the election is this near and polls are this close, it often seems like any soft breeze could tip the scales in favor of one presidential candidate or the other.

Such as a good jobs report. Or a bad debate performance.

Or a third party candidate.

Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Partys pick for 2012, hasnt gained as much recognition as his third-party predecessors.

He hasnt been invited to participate in the debates, as Ross Perot was in 1992. He hasnt yet captured as many headlines as did the 2000 cycles Ralph Nader, whose 90,000 votes in Florida tipped the scales out of former vice president Al Gores favor enough that George W. Bush was eventually awarded the states electoral votes and became president.

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Libertarian candidate makes push for Nevada's Ron Paul supporters

By Jeremy P. Kelley

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson addressed a packed theater at Centerville High School on Friday, presenting a mix of policy positions from across the political spectrum.

Johnson was a two-term Republican governor of New Mexico, and he calls for dramatic cuts to immediately balance the federal budget. He says Medicare is going broke, Social Securitys retirement age should be increased and federal government departments like education should be abolished and given back to state control.

But Johnson, speaking in a sport coat, jeans and a peace symbol T-shirt, also called for the immediate end of American military intervention abroad; repeal of the Patriot Act and the Department of Homeland Security; the legalization, regulation and taxing of some drugs; and support for gay marriage.

I think most people in this country are fiscally responsible and socially accepting, Johnson said, adding he avoids the word tolerant. I think actually we dont really care at all as long as that behavior doesnt negatively impact our lives.

Johnson is one of seven presidential candidates listed on the Ohio ballot this fall, joining Socialist Stewart Alexander, Independent Richard Duncan, the Constitution Partys Virgil Goode, Democrat Barack Obama, Republican Mitt Romney and the Green Partys Jill Stein.

But Johnson pointed out that most third party candidates are on the ballot in half or fewer of the 50 states. Johnson is currently on the ballot in 47 states and is fighting in court to be listed in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma.

Third-party candidates have rarely garnered much support in presidential elections, as some voters fear wasting their vote on someone they believe cant win.

A wasted vote is voting for somebody that you dont believe in, Johnson said Friday. You should vote for who you believe in. Thats how you change things in this country. Im making a request of everybody, to waste their vote on me. And if everybody will do that, Im the next president of the United States.

With this election focused so heavily on jobs and the economy, Johnson aims to restore Americas industrial might by replacing corporate, personal and other income taxes with the FairTax plan, which places a flat consumption tax on all retail sales. Johnson believes that move would cause corporations and jobs to flock back to the United States, creating an explosion of growth in the tax base.

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Libertarian candidate shares ideas in Centerville

Jim Gray, the vice presidential candidate on the Libertarian ticket, tonight in Reno will monitor tonight's debate between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney and provide his own answers.

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Libertarian VP candidate will answer presidential debate questions tonight

RENO, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) -- Judge Jim Gray, the Libertarian Vice- Presidential Candidate was in Reno last night and answered the same questions posed by Jim Lehrer during the presidential debate.

Locals came out to hear another perspective and choice in the race to the White House.

If you'd like to hear more about what Judge Jim Gray has to say, he'll be sitting down for a live interview with us later this afternoon on News 4 at 4.

Link:

Libertarian VP Candidate answers questions at UNR

Two Libertarian candidates for the Montana Legislature pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges stemming from an incident in which marijuana-infused candy was distributed on a Hamilton school bus.

Karen Renae Fisher, 27, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal production of dangerous drugs, both felonies.

Fisher is a Libertarian candidate running for House District 87. Ravalli County District Court Judge Jeffrey Langton lifted the no contact order for Fisher and her alleged co-conspirators, but they were told not to discuss the case. Fishers omnibus hearing is set for Oct. 24 at 9 a.m.

Robert Wayne McCoy, 38, also pleaded not guilty to operation of an unlawful clandestine laboratory, criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute, criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, each felonies, and endangering the welfare of children, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful conduct by a cardholder, all misdemeanors.

McCoy is a Libertarian candidate running for Senate District 45. Conditions set in Ravalli County Justice Court stated that McCoy was to not possess marijuana or his medical marijuana card.

McCoy told Langton that he was innocent and Langton told McCoy that he must enter guilty, not guilty or no contest. McCoy said, Your honor, I am innocent. Langton then entered a not guilty plea on McCoys behalf.

Langton looked at McCoys medical marijuana card that expires soon. McCoy said that he has not renewed the card due to the conditions set in justice court.

Langton did place an order that McCoys residence can have an unannounced inspection by sheriffs deputies without a warrant at anytime.

Finally, Fishers husband, Jeffery Allen Fisher, 30, pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs, both felonies. His omnibus hearing is set for Oct. 24 at 9 a.m.

McCoys wife, Andrea Michelle McCoy, 35, is charged with operation of unlawful clandestine laboratory, criminal possession of dangerous drugs, both felonies and endangering the welfare of children, a misdemeanor. Her initial appearance was postponed to Oct. 17 at 9 a.m.

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Libertarian candidates plead not guilty to marijuana charges

Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney speaks while President Barack Obama makes notes at the first Presidential debate at the University of Denver's Ritchie Center on October 3, 2012 in Denver. UPI/Gary C. Caskey

License photo

Published: Oct. 4, 2012 at 12:28 AM

DENVER, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson said Wednesday's debate between U.S. President Obama and Republican rival Mitt Romney wasn't really a debate.

The former New Mexico governor said in a statement Romney and Obama's debate in Denver provided "two slightly differing versions of defending the Republican and Democrat status quo that has given us war after war after war, a $16 trillion debt, and a government that is the answer to everything."

"Nowhere was there a real plan for reducing government, balancing the budget any time in the foreseeable future, or a path that will actually put Americans back to work," Johnson said. "We heard two politicians arguing over which of their plans for government-run health care is less bad. We heard fantasies about balancing the budget while not reducing Medicare costs."

Johnson said the two candidates were merely "nibbling around the edges of the nation's problems."

"We don't have time to nibble -- we need to devour them," he said. "Americans deserve real debates and a voice who will actually tell the truth about what it will take to put this great nation back on track."

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Libertarian Gary Johnson pans debate

RENO, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) -- The Vice Presidential candidate running on the Libertarian ticket will be fielding questions at a debate viewing event at UNR.

Libertarian Vice Presidential Candidate Judge Jim Gray will be in Reno answering questions at the end of the debates from the audience.

During commercial breaks, he will respond to the questions posed by the moderator from Denver for the audience to hear.

The event is from 6-8pm in the auditorium of the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center, on the UNR campus.

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Libertarian VP Candidate Jim Gray to speak at UNR debate viewing

Tonight's presidential debate will have a global audience, high stakes and plenty of political drama as President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney square off for the first time.

What it won't have is a third candidate. The sponsor of tonight's showdown - the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates - ruled that Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson will not be allowed to participate.

The commission said Johnson failed to meet its threshold of receiving at least 15 percent of the vote in a major polls. Johnson filed a lawsuit to contest the decision, but won't be on stage at tonight's event in Denver.

That's drawn the protest of at least two of the debate's corporate sponsors, Philips Electronics and the YMCA, who said they were pulling their support because of Johnson's exclusion.

The last time an independent candidate was allowed to participate in a debate with nominees from the two major parties was in 1992, when Ross Perot joined the stage with President George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Johnson said today his campaign will provide live commentary during the debate via Twitter and other social media. But the former New Mexico governor made it clear that he's not happy to be shut out of tonight's event.

"Someone has to stand up and call this what it isa rigged system designed entirely to protect and perpetuate the two-party duopoly," Johnson spokesman Ron Nielson told US News and World Report. "That someone will be the Johnson campaign."

More here:

Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson shut out of tonight's debate, claims 'system is rigged'

Jim Gray, the vice president candidate on the 2012 Libertarian presidential ticket, will speak in Reno and Carson City on Thursday.

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Libertarian VP candidate Jim Gray visits Reno, Carson City on Thursday

In this Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011 file photo, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson speaks at a news conference during which he announced he is leaving the Republican Party in favor of seeking a presidential nomination as a Libertarian, at the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Albuquerque Journal, Eddie Moore)

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson in Salt Lake City for town hall

Politics Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson to appear at Challenger School.

THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Libertarian presidential hopeful Gary Johnson will be Salt Lake City on Tuesday to stage an interactive town hall meeting at an appropriately named locale: Challenger School.

The former New Mexico governor, whose campaign is headquartered in Utahs capital, faces a big challenge this November in taking on the two presidential ballot heavyweights: Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney.

Tuesdays town hall is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Challenger School, 1325 S. Main, according to a news release. Viewers can ask Johnson questions in person or participate online at http://www.garyjohnson2012.com.

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Libertarian White House hopeful in Salt Lake City for town hall

In this Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011 file photo, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson speaks at a news conference during which he announced he is leaving the Republican Party in favor of seeking a presidential nomination as a Libertarian, at the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Albuquerque Journal, Eddie Moore)

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson in Salt Lake City for town hall

Politics Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson to appear at Challenger School.

THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Libertarian presidential hopeful Gary Johnson will be Salt Lake City on Tuesday to stage an interactive town hall meeting at an appropriately named locale: Challenger School.

The former New Mexico governor, whose campaign is headquartered in Utahs capital, faces a big challenge this November in taking on the two presidential ballot heavyweights: Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney.

Tuesdays town hall is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Challenger School, 1325 S. Main, according to a news release. Viewers can ask Johnson questions in person or participate online at http://www.garyjohnson2012.com.

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Excerpt from:

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson in Salt Lake City for town hall

RENO, NV - Libertarian Vice Presidential candidate Judge Jim Gray will visit northern Nevada this Thursday to speak to two groups.

The running mate of former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson will speak on women's issues, eliminating the IRS, and other topics, at a luncheon hosted by the National Association of Professional Women, Reno. That will be 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Siena Hotel Spa Casino, Terraza Room, 1 Lake Street, Reno.

Later Thursday, Judge Gray will attend a Candidates Night hosted by PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) in Carson City. Time is 7-8:30 p.m. at 108 East Proctor Street in Carson City.

The public is invited to both events.

Judge Gray is a former California Superior Court judge and the running mate of Libertarian presidential nominee and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson.

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Libertarian VP Candidate Visiting Reno