Credit: Jeremy Detter/RECORD PHOTO

Barbara Howe, Libertarian candidate for Governor in North Carolina, runs through Newton on Wednesday night. Howe plans on running a 5k in each of the 100 counties in North Carolina. Catawba County was number 81.

NEWTON Barbara Howe really is running for governor.

The Libertarian candidate is running a solo 5-kilometer race in all 100 North Carolina counties to call attention to her candidacy and the Libertarian political philosophy. Wednesday morning, she ran in Taylorsville. That evening, she put on her running shoes in Newton. The Newton 5K was her 81st since her campaign began.

Howe, from Wingate, knows winning the governors mansion is the longest of shots, but shes determined to keep the message of liberty out there.

Libertarians endorse minimal government. The Republicans and the Democrats have their differences, but they still stand for big government, Howe said. They are variations of the same flavor.

Most of the time, Howe runs alone. Sometimes, somebody shes met will join her. She had company when she ran in Lenoir on Tuesday. But she meets people during her jaunts and chats with local folks afterward.

I always go to a caf or a restaurant in each county. I listen and I talk. But mostly I listen, she said.

Im learning that people in North Carolina are basically the same. They want to work, enjoy their free time and be left alone. That as in be left alone by government on all levels. This country was founded on freedom, responsibility and self-reliance, Howe said. We Libertarians dont want to tell people how to run their lives.

As one that advocates the government that governs least governs best, she has strong opinions on government entitlements and other programs. For example, Howe says everyone who has paid into Social Security should get their benefits as promised.

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Libertarian candidate running – literally – in all 100 counties

For most of us, this is either the first or second time we are voting for the president of the United States. While it is ultimately your choice who to vote for, there is one candidate who is being overlooked: the Libertarian candidate, Gary Johnson.

I am in no way insinuating that you need to vote for Johnson. Its your decision. I am, however, encouraging you to know about all the candidates running for the highest office of the United States. I am writing about Johnson because he is the only third-party candidate who will appear on the ballot in all 50 states this November.

Johnson was the governor of New Mexico from 1995-2003 and was known as Governor Veto. While in office he vetoed more than 750 proposed bills and cut taxes 14 times. He never raised taxes once. In 2003, New Mexico and three other states had a balanced budget.

Johnson strongly supports both the Constitution and civil liberties. Where does he stand on the issues? He would eliminate the IRS, audit the Federal Reserve, end the war in Afghanistan, reform health care, allow gays to marry, and legalize and regulate marijuana.

There are several issues that voters frequently ask about, but I will touch on a few that have been getting a lot of attention this election season.

First is Johnsons plan to fix the spending deficit. In an interview with Rebecca Costa on The Costa Report, Johnson said, I promise to submit a balanced budget for 2013 and veto any expenses that exceed revenue. Believing with those two promises kept, spending will be lower than any other scenario you could possibly come up with.

What would he do to health care? Johnson says he would repeal the Affordable Care Act. He believes that with fewer government mandates and regulation, health care will be competitive and more affordable for Americans.

Johnsons stance on civil liberties is as follows: Government must be neutral on personal beliefs, Johnson said. He would allow anyone to marry whomever he or she chooses. The government must not impose their values upon marriage.

Johnson encourages everyone to visit the website iSideWith.com. He is certain that many people are more of a libertarian than they might think. In my opinion, this is a great resource to learn about all the candidates in the election.

Johnson also disapproves of critics who say that voting for a third party is a wasted vote. What is more than a wasted vote, when you vote for someone you dont agree with? Youre a making a judgment that you are voting for the lesser of two evils. How about you vote for someone you believe in?

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Libertarian Gary Johnson an ideal candidate

For most of us, this is either the first or second time we are voting for the president of the United States. While it is ultimately your choice who to vote for, there is one candidate who is being overlooked: the Libertarian candidate, Gary Johnson.

I am in no way insinuating that you need to vote for Johnson. Its your decision. I am, however, encouraging you to know about all the candidates running for the highest office of the United States. I am writing about Johnson because he is the only third-party candidate who will appear on the ballot in all 50 states this November.

Johnson was the governor of New Mexico from 1995-2003 and was known as Governor Veto. While in office he vetoed more than 750 proposed bills and cut taxes 14 times. He never raised taxes once. In 2003, New Mexico and three other states had a balanced budget.

Johnson strongly supports both the Constitution and civil liberties. Where does he stand on the issues? He would eliminate the IRS, audit the Federal Reserve, end the war in Afghanistan, reform health care, allow gays to marry, and legalize and regulate marijuana.

There are several issues that voters frequently ask about, but I will touch on a few that have been getting a lot of attention this election season.

First is Johnsons plan to fix the spending deficit. In an interview with Rebecca Costa on The Costa Report, Johnson said, I promise to submit a balanced budget for 2013 and veto any expenses that exceed revenue. Believing with those two promises kept, spending will be lower than any other scenario you could possibly come up with.

What would he do to health care? Johnson says he would repeal the Affordable Care Act. He believes that with fewer government mandates and regulation, health care will be competitive and more affordable for Americans.

Johnsons stance on civil liberties is as follows: Government must be neutral on personal beliefs, Johnson said. He would allow anyone to marry whomever he or she chooses. The government must not impose their values upon marriage.

Johnson encourages everyone to visit the website iSideWith.com. He is certain that many people are more of a libertarian than they might think. In my opinion, this is a great resource to learn about all the candidates in the election.

Johnson also disapproves of critics who say that voting for a third party is a wasted vote. What is more than a wasted vote, when you vote for someone you dont agree with? Youre a making a judgment that you are voting for the lesser of two evils. How about you vote for someone you believe in?

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Libertarian Gary Johnson is ideal candidate

SIOUX CITY | The Libertarian Party vice presidential nominee is scheduled to appear in Sioux City on Tuesday night.

Jim Gray will be at Scotty's Pub, 1012 Fourth St., from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Gray is a former California Superior Court judge and advocate for marijuana legalization.

Gary Johnson is the Libertarian Party's candidate for president

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Libertarian Party vice presidential nominee plans Sioux City stop

AT A GLANCE

Candidate forums will take place at 6:30 p.m. on both Sept. 25 and Sept. 27, with doors opening at 6 p.m., at Cleary University's Johnson Center, 3750 Cleary Drive in Genoa Township.

On Sept. 25, state 42nd House District candidates incumbent Rep. Bill Rogers, R-Genoa Township, and Democratic challenger Shanda Willis; state 47th House District seat incumbent Rep. Cindy Denby, R-Handy Township, and Democratic challenger Shawn Lowe Desai; and U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, and Democrat Lance Enderle will discuss the issues.

On Sept. 27, Republican county prosecutor candidate William Vailliencourt and Democratic candidate Matt Evans; and county probate judge candidates Miriam Cavanaugh and Lori Marran will debate.

The forums are sponsored by the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus; Cleary University; Voter's Voice; the Howell Area, Greater Brighton Area and Hartland Area chambers of commerce; and the Howell Carnegie District, Brighton District, Pinckney Community Public, Hamburg Township, Fowlerville District and Hartland Cromaine District libraries.

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Told no, Libertarian candidate's camp crying foul over candidate forum

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Libertarian Party appealing decision keeping presidential candidate off Michigan ballot

Washington (CNN) Gary Johnson's poll numbers may not give him much-of-a shot at winning the presidency, but in the latest CNN/ORC Poll, he is registering enough of a following to possibly tip the balance in an increasingly close election.

Three percent of likely voters responded that they would vote for Johnson, the Libertarian Party's candidate for president, in November. That number is slightly higher among registered voters, with 4% identifying with the former governor of New Mexico.

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Check out the CNN Electoral Map and Calculator and game out your own strategy for November.

The poll also finds that Johnson's inclusion, along with the Green Party's candidate Jill Stein, hurts Republican candidate Mitt Romney more than it does President Barack Obama.

Obama leads Romney 52% to 46% when Romney and Obama are the only candidates in question, but Romney's support goes down three percentage points with the inclusion of the third party candidates. Obama's support only drops one point.

"The inclusion of the two minor-party candidates turns a six-point margin for President Obama into an eight-point lead," said Keating Holland, CNN's Polling Director. Since third party candidates are typically not on the ballot in all 50 states, those numbers can be slight deceiving when relating them to the support the candidates will receive on Election Day.

Johnson, who first ran as a candidate for the Republican Party, dropped out of the Republican race and accepted the nomination from the Libertarian Party on May 5, 2012.

The Johnson campaign says they don't see their candidacy as a Republican spoiler and argues that the Johnson's appeal is more important when looked at on a state-by-state.

"Generally, in places like Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada," said Joe Hunter, Johnson campaign spokesperson, "it appears that Governor Johnson's appeal comes from folks that supported Obama in 2008 and are now disillusioned with the president."

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TRENDING: Spoiler alert: Poll finds small following for Libertarian candidate

CHEYENNE -- Libertarian candidate Charles Kenworthy said lowering taxes would be his top priority if he is elected to the state Legislature.

Taxes are the biggest issue to me, he said. To me, taxes are no different than someone coming up to you with a gun and saying you owe me this and then taking it away from you.

Kenworthy is the Libertarian nominee in the House District 9 race.

The first-time candidate said he was reluctant to enter the race, but he said he joined when he was asked by the Libertarian Party state chairman.

He said he also wanted to ensure voters had a choice to vote for someone who would stop government from infringing into areas where government does not belong.

I believe Libertarians are something that are needed right now, he said. We are such a minor party, and some people dont even believe we are for real.

I believe the two-party system is not enough.

Kenworthy said one type of tax that could be reduced is personal property taxes on property other than real estate.

We pay taxes on things we buy, and usually that is a good thing, he said. But (other than real estate) you shouldnt have to continue paying taxes on those things every year.

But he said he doesnt oppose all taxes.

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Libertarian candidate running for HD9 seat

VERMILLION Libertarian Party vice presidential candidate Jim Gray will speak at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion at 11 a.m. Sept. 12. He will speak in the Muenster University Center Pit Lounge

The USD College Libertarians will host Gray as he makes a campaign stop at the University of South Dakota. After his speech, Gray will be available to answer questions from students and the media until 1 p.m. The event is free to attend and open to the public.

Judge Gray is the running mate to former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson. Campaign bumper stickers, posters, yard signs, and pamphlets are available at the event. The College Libertarians have free copies of the book After the Welfare State, internship information and, student-libertarian conference information available to students.

Judge Grays speech at USD will expose South Dakotans to an ideology that is quickly growing in popularity around the country, says College Libertarian President Brad Omland. The liberty movement is especially popular with college students.

Gray was the presiding judge of the Superior Court of Orange County, Calif., from 1989 to 2009. He also ran for U.S. Senate against incumbent Barbara Boxer (D) in California with the Libertarian Party in 2004. Gray is an outspoken critic of drug laws and the War on Drugs. He is the author of Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed and What We Can Do About it A Judicial Indictment of the War on Drugs. He is featured in the 2007 film documentary American Drug War: The Last White Hope.

Gray resides in Newport Beach, Calif. He is married and is the father of three children.

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of yankton.net.

We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.

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V.P. Candidate Jim Gray To Speak At U.S.D.

Enlarge Photo

Libertarian Gary E. Johnson, who is on the presidential ballot in more than 40 states, successfully got onto Virginias last week as well despite a challenge from the state Republican Party.

But the former New Mexico governor was rather hard on himself when describing the evolution of his thinking on getting on ballots across the country, as he now faces similar challenges in other states, including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Iowa.

I feel really naive looking back, he said. I guess I had a kind of Pollyannaish belief. Santa Claus is not coming. My tooth is going to go unclaimed. I cant believe.

He pointed to a recent Zogby poll that gave him 4.3 percent of the national popular vote, saying national media would almost be forced to cover his candidacy at least on Election Day if he pulled 5 percent of the vote.

Lets just say I got 5 percent on general-election day, he said. If that really happens, can you think of 5 percent going unreported?

We keep plugging away with the amount of money that we have, he added. If we just had money to compete with these guys for one week, youd see a gigantic bump.

For now, though, Mr. Johnson is willing to play the role of the happy warrior. He pulls no punches with either party (The debate about Medicare shouldnt be about which partys going to spend more on Medicare) and expressed particular disbelief that the war in Afghanistan essentially flew under the radar at the GOP convention in Tampa, Fla., last month.

It is hilarious in a really bad way, he said. Its an indictment on all of us. Are we that stupid? We cant be that stupid.

Statehood karma?

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IN OTHER WORDS: Libertarian Gary Johnson still trying

Libertarian Tim Menger, who faces scandal-plagued Republican Jared Wright in Colorados House District 54, addressed Club 20 this morning. The Western Slope group originally did not invite him to participate in legislative debates. (Lynn Bartels/The Denver Post)

The controversy over Club 20 snubbing Libertarian candidate Tim Menger at its legislative debates ended today when he spoke to the group after an 11th-hour invitation.

I almost turned down your late invitation because I didnt want to show up to a place I had shamed into letting me in, he said.

Menger faces Republican Jared Wright in House District 54, which straddles Mesa and Delta counties. No Democrat ran for the seat, something the party kicked itself over after problems with Wrights finances and his tenure as a Fruita police officer surfaced.

Menger said he has a shot of winning the seat in the Republican-dominated district if he can pick up most of the Democrats, unaffiliated voters and some Republicans.

What I need is 2,500 of the 12,000 registered Republicans in my district to say, Hey I dont want to send a dishonest person to the state legislature. I am going to jump over for this election and I am going to vote Libertarian, get that guy in there, see what he does, Menger said.

Club 20 traditionally does not invite third-party candidates to its debates unless they represent 1 percent of the voter registration of the district. That wasnt the case in House District 54 so Wright was scheduled to have a solo presence on the stage.

A Libertarian Party official wanted to protest at Club 20, but Menger said he didnt support that.

I said, No, not only is it in my back yard but I am not protester. Club 20 is a club and they have a right to invite whoever they want, said Menger, who did write a protest letter to his local paper.

Wright ended up canceling at the last minute, and Club 20s executive board decided Friday to let Wright speak today for five minutes.

Continued here:

Libertarian gets to address Club 20, promises to oppose tax or fee hikes

The Texas Libertarian Party exists to give voters a choice

If it wasn't for the Libertarian Party voters would have had only one candidate on their ballot in two Congressional Districts, four State Board of Education Districts, seven State Senate Districts, twenty-four State House Districts, one Supreme Court Justice race and two contests for Justices for the Court of Criminal Appeals.

###

The Libertarian Party is the third-largest political party in Texas, and stands for constitutional government, free markets, civil liberties and peace. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party of Texas at http://www.lptexas.org.

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The Texas Libertarian Party exists to give voters a choice

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Franklin Perez sets a sign in a wooded lot off of Mitchell Hammock Road.

By Alicia Mandigo | September 06, 2012

A Libertarian candidate for District 28 of the State House of Representatives said he is planning to sue the Libertarian Party of Florida in small claims court.

Franklin Perez, who was featured in a Seminole Chronicle story last April, said he became at odds with the state party after taking a public stance on the Trayvon Martin case. He said the party de-vetted him as a candidate after he announced his position on the case.

On Feb. 26, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed while walking through a gated Sanford community. Suspect George Zimmerman said he shot Martin in self-defense and initially was not arrested in the shooting. At the time Perez spoke out, calling for Zimmerman's arrest. Although Zimmerman was ultimately arrested in the case, Perez said the Libertarian Party took issue with his public position, saying that it was in conflict with the party's non-initiation-of-force policy.

"I really felt I needed to take a position on this because Sanford is in my district," Perez said.

This is Perez's fourth attempt to win a seat in the state House in District 28.

The Libertarian Party's official platform states this:

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Libertarian candidate scorned, to sue own party

Jo Vaccarino, Naples

Point this way

Both Republicans and Democrats are turning Libertarian?

The strangest thing is happening in America today. Democrats like John Mackey from Whole Foods are turning Libertarian. Drew Carey picked up Reason magazine one day and realized he's a Libertarian.

At the same time, Republicans like Glenn Beck and Ron Paul claim libertarianism too.

Amid what appears to be the greatest polarization between the two parties in U.S. history, how can folks from purportedly opposite political platforms both decide to embrace libertarianism?

There is actually a simple answer. Libertarians are fiscally conservative and socially accepting. So is the average American live and let live.

Opportunity is America's theme. We are the land of it or we were. But now, even Americans who don't know what crony capitalism is are feeling the effects of an excess of it going on today. They know that somebody in the government is turning favors for somebody else at the expense of taxpayers.

The two major parties will point the finger at each other, even though both are hideously guilty. But Americans are catching on to this.

The libertarian principle of minimal government, maximum freedom fits Main Street America, almost 40 percent of whom have detached from the parties and registered independent or NPA (no party affiliation).

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Letter: Point this way

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A state judge overseeing a Republican-backed challenge to Libertarian Party candidates on Pennsylvania's ballot is making contingency plans to spread out the work among judges in two cities.

Commonwealth Court Senior Judge James Gardner Colins issued an order Wednesday assigning responsibility for a time-consuming, line-by-line review of about 13,000 contested petition signatures gathered from voters in Philadelphia.

Colins ordered that two Commonwealth Court judges in Philadelphia begin the review on Sept. 17. If more time is needed, he ordered that a third judge in Harrisburg be added starting Sept. 25.

Lawyers for both sides agree the Libertarians have accrued about 15,500 valid signatures of the 20,601 they need to keep their presidential nominee, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, and other statewide candidates on the ballot.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Libertarian ballot fight may span 2 Pa. cities

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The fight over whether the Libertarian Party's presidential ticket remains on the state ballot will move to the capital Wednesday for a final round of signature reviews that will set the stage for a hearing before a Commonwealth Court panel.

Representatives of the Libertarian Party and three Republican Party-backed voters who challenged the petition spent the last two weeks in Philadelphia, reviewing the signatures of about 38,000 city voters that were challenged.

The two sides are to reconvene at the Pennsylvania Judicial Center in Harrisburg to begin reviewing the more than 2,000 signatures from voters who live in other counties.

As of Tuesday, the Libertarian Party had accrued about 15,500 valid signatures of the 20,601 it needs to keep its presidential nominee, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, and other statewide candidates on the ballot, according to lawyers for both sides.

The challengers have succeeded in striking about 17,000 signatures. About 13,000 signatures remain contested.

"It's an arduous and tedious process," Larry Otter, a veteran election lawyer and member of the legal team representing the challengers, said when asked about the time-consuming review.

A three-judge Commonwealth Court panel will hear legal arguments in the case Sept. 12 in Harrisburg and could rule for one side or the other.

Marakay Rogers, a member of the Libertarian legal team and the party's nominee for state attorney general, said she is "cautiously" optimistic that the party will prevail on enough of the contested signatures to overcome the challenge.

Rogers, a York County lawyer, was the party's nominee for governor in 2010 but joined Libertarian candidates for lieutenant governor and U.S. Senate in withdrawing their candidacies amid a petition challenge filed by a group of Republican voters.

The 20,601 signatures that third-party candidates need to qualify for this year's statewide ballot represent 2 percent of the total ballots cast for the highest vote-getter in last year's statewide elections.

Originally posted here:

Libertarians' ballot fight moves to Pa. capital

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson will be on the Iowa ballot in November after a district court judge ruled Tuesday that supporters had fulfilled state requirements.

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Judge: Libertarian candidate will appear on Iowa ballot

The Maryland Libertarian Party will offer a full slate of candidates for federal office this November, including nominees for each of Marylands eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The partys certification, which required more than 10,000 signatures, was confirmed last week by the State Board of Elections.

This is our third general election where weve run close to a full slate for federal office, said Robert Johnston, the partys state chairman. Johnston credited the growing popularity of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R) of Texas and dissatisfaction with Americas recent history of wars and government bailouts with pushing libertarian principles into the mainstream.

In addition to a presidential ticket featuring former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and running mate Jim Gray, a retired California judge, the Maryland Libertarian slate will include Senate candidate I. Dean Ahmad of Bethesda, who is challenging Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D).

The partys other candidates include congressional hopefuls Muir Boda of Salisbury, who is running in the states 1st Congressional District; Leo Dymowski of Dundalk in District 2; Paul Drgos of Pasadena in District 3; Scott Soffen of Ellicott City in District 4; Arvin Vohra of Bethesda in District 5; Nickolaus Mueller of Baltimore in District 6; Ronald Owens-Bey of Baltimore in District 7 and Mark Grannis of Chevy Chase in District 8.

In 2008, 7,040 Libertarian voters turned out for the presidential election, while 3,140 turned out for the gubernatorial election in 2010, according to reports from the State Board of Elections.

dleaderman@gazette.net

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Gazette.Net: Libertarians will appear on Maryland ballot

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -

A judge says Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson should be listed on the Iowa ballot in November.

Polk County District Court Judge Arthur Gamble says in a ruling filed Tuesday that Libertarians fulfilled requirements of Iowa law to get their candidate on the ballot.

Two Iowa voters last week asked Gamble to review the decision of a panel of three state officials that allowed Johnson on the ballot. The panel says in its decision that Iowa's law isn't clear in its definition of a caucus.

Libertarians say they held a caucus at the Iowa State Fair to get Johnson the ballot. The challengers say there was no caucus.

An appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court is expected but time is running out. Ballots must be printed by Thursday.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Judge: Libertarian should be on Iowa ballot

Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul has yet to endorse in the race for president, but is showering praise on the long shot Libertarian Party candidate, ex-New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson.

I think hes wonderful, and I think hes doing a good job and people should look at him and every individual should make up his own mind, Paul, who sought the Republican nomination, told Fox News.

Ron Paul, R-Texas, Republican presidential candidate, March 2012. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images) / SL

But Jesse Benton, who directed Pauls 2012 presidential campaign, told the Daily Caller that Paul will not endorse Gary Johnson.

Still, the sound bite to Fox News has become part of a Gary Johnson video in which former Paul supporters sing Johnsons praises. Paul was the Libertarians candidate for president in 1988, between two stints in Congress as a Republican.

Paul supporters are continuing to fight for power in the Republican Party, and the congressmans son, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, has staked his future in the GOP and spoke to its convention last week.

But Ron Paul voice dissatisfaction with Mitt Romneys convention acceptance speech.

I remain very very skeptical of hearing anything that will change the course of history, he told Bloomberg News. There was no talk of the Federal Reserve. One of the engines of spending is militarism and empire and he enhanced. He was pushing it.

Johnson served two terms as governor of New Mexico, as a Republican. He was briefly a candidate for the 2012 GOP nomination, but later sought and won the Libertarians nod. Johnson is an outspoken critic of the War on Drugs and advocates legalization of cannabis.

Billionaire oilman David Koch ran for vice president on the Libertarians 1980 ticket, but this year is spending and raising as much as $400 million to back Republican candidates.

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Ron Paul: Libertarian Johnson is “wonderful”