*************For Immediate Release******************
Libertarian Party of Johnson County wants voters to decide on jail expansion

GREENWOOD, IN -- In November the Johnson county council and commissioners unanimously approved a $23 million jail expansion project. This project will add to a Johnson County home and business owner’s property tax and possibly later to the county income tax.
 
There is the opportunity to put this issue on the May 2010 ballot by collecting 125 petition signatures by Dec 18th. On Monday Dec 7 the LPJC began collecting petition signatures. If the signatures are not collected the project will automatically be allowed to proceed.
 

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Executive Director Chris Spangle is looking for college interns to participate in the 2010 LPIN intern program. Interns will work from Indianapolis in the LPIN HQ gaining one-of-a-kind political science experience in exchange for college credits. The 2010 election will offer students an inside look at the Indiana political process while working to organize Indiana's third largest political party.
 
Please contact Executive Director Chris Spangle to begin the process:cspangle@lpin.org.

By Tad DeHaven of the Cato Institute. 

Another day brings another example of federal health care fraud. Today’s story comes from “the nation’s healthcare fraud capital” of Miami-Dade County. The government’s crack investigators realized it was fishy that a single county was accounting for more than half of Medicare’s total payments for the treatment of homebound patients with diabetes. Miami-Dade doesn’t even have Florida’s highest rate of diabetes.

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The Indiana Election Division has released the 2010 Campaign Guide, Campaign Finance Manual, and the Indiana Election Calendar.

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The LPMC's annual pitch-in holiday party is Saturday, December 19, starting at 6pm. Libertarians from everywhere, their family members and friends are invited to share the spirit of the season.

Attendees are asked to bring a food dish to share with others (such as a salad, casserole or desert) and to bring used clothing for the needy.

Additionally, the Libertarian Party of Marion County will also accept monetary donations this year to give to this year’s beneficiary, Second Helpings. Second Helpings not only distributes food and clothing, it also provides job training opportunities. Its website is http://www.secondhelpings.org/.

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Speeches of Obama praising and glorifying Islam

"He did bow to the Muslim King... An American President for the first time in history bowed to a Muslim King" -- Brigette Gabriel

"None of this proves Obama is really a Muslim. But it does all suggest that America has a pro-Islamist President." -- Melanie Phillips, Columnist, UK Telegraph, Author of "Londonistan"

The Wall Street Journal is reporting this morning, that 2009 has been one of the worst years for Islamic Terrorism, and possibly the worst ever for homegrown Muslim Terror...

The surge in alleged terror cases has raised concerns among counterterrorism officials...

U.S. counterterrorism officials say 2009 has turned into the year of homegrown jihad...

* In September, terrorism investigators trailed Najibullah Zazi, a 24-year-old Afghan-born U.S. resident, as he made his way from Denver to New York City in what they later alleged was an aborted plot to carry out attacks using explosives made from beauty supplies.

* A month later, investigators arrested David Headley, a U.S.-born son of a Pakistani father and American mother, and charged him with plotting with al Qaeda-linked Pakistani militants to attack a newspaper in Denmark... he [also] helped a Pakistani group, Lashkar-i-Taiba, scout locations for the deadly 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

* Last month, U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Hasan was arrested and charged with killing 13 people in a shooting spree at Fort Hood Army base in Texas. Prior to the attack, Maj. Hasan was in touch with an extremist Muslim cleric in Yemen, Anwar al-Awlaki, investigators say.

* Also last month, the U.S. unveiled charges against several men who allegedly recruited about 20 young men of Somali descent to join an Islamist insurgent group, al Shabaab, which is fighting Somalia's U.S.-backed government.

A common thread in these and other cases, terrorism officials say, is that they involve immigrants and second-generation Americans, who traditionally have been viewed as more resistant to extremist ideology. Many cases uncovered in past years have involved American converts to Islam, and officials say religious converts often are more zealous in their beliefs.

Meanwhile the LA Times is reporting that terrorist experts nationwide have said:

"2009 has been the most dangerous year domestically since 2001... Anti-terrorism officials and experts see signs of accelerated radicalization among American Muslims, driven by a wave of English-language online propaganda and reflected in aspiring fighters’ trips to hot spots such as Pakistan and Somalia."

Missed by both the Times and the WSJ the attack on the Little Rock, Arkansas last May, when a Muslim-convert Abdulhakim Muhammad (photo above) opened fire on a Military Recruitment facility, killing one soldier and seriously injuring another. Also not listed, the planned attack by a Jordanian-born Muslim extremist on a Dallas skyscraper back in September.

Finally, there were the 4 North Carolina Jihadists arrested with a serious weapons cache, who were training to wage War against the United States overseas.

Daniel Pipes, Robert Spencer and other Middle Eastern experts believe that Obama may be setting a tone that would foster an environment of tacit approval for homegrown radical Islam.

Spencer ally Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugs, on the five DC Muslim students tracked down and arrested in Pakistan by American authorities last week, commented:

They were plotting jihad. Obama spent a month in Pakistan during his college years ....perhaps he is, uh, sympathetic.

Photos from left to right Abdulhakim Muhammad, Nidal Malik Hasan, Najibullah Zazi, and below Barack Hussein Obama giving a speech in Cairo.

From Gersten-Langne Polling Firm, Dec. 10:

Q.38 Now, I am going to read you a list of words and phrases which people use to describe political figures. For each word or phrase, please tell me whether it describes Barack Obama very well, well, not too well, or not well at all.

The number of respondents who answered "Muslim" described Obama "well" was 39% compared to 49% who responded "not well."

On the description of Obama "Weak on Terrorism," 50% agreed with that label, while 42% disagreed.

by Eric Dondero

American "Jane Six-Pack" vies for Congressional seat held by Radical Muslim

Talk about an odd duck Democrat. Well, not exactly a 'D' more like a Joe Lieberman sort running as an Independent in the Democrat primaries.

Meet firebrand anti-Islamist crusader and candidate for US Congress Lynne Torgerson. Ms. Torgerson ran once before, in 2008 for the Minnesota House of Reps. She sought the GOP nomination in District 59. Ironically, she was blocked by a cadre of Ron Paul supporters. The Paulists opposed her foreign policy views. Many suspect that might have been the reason for putting the squash on her candidacy.

From Minnesota Independent:

Carleton Crawford, who chairs the Republican Party of Minnesota’s Fifth District committee, told MnIndy by email that Torgerson failed to get the GOP endorsement in 2008 because delegates sought someone more in line with U.S. Rep. Ron Paul’s presidential candidacy.

An Independent-Democrat, with a Conservative streak

Unfortunately, the move by Paul's followers, may have also pushed this attractive and outspoken candidate right out of the Republican Party. For 2010 Torgerson is planning to run in the Democrat primary as an "Independent." She may also simultaneously seek the Independence Party nomination for the general. (Jesse Ventura's old party.)

She shares a number of mixed views on a variety of issues. For example; She's stridently Anti-Bail Outs for big corporations, Pro-Gun and Pro-2nd Amendment, anti-Immigration in general, Pro-Life, Anti-Gay Marriage, and for Tax Credits for Oil Exploration. At the same time, she's almost liberal on Environmental Policy, and Health Care; favoring a public option, and policies that would promote "Clean Energy."

Fighting back against Minnesota's Somali Terrorists

It is her Foreign Policy views, specifically her views on Israel, and Muslim extremism, that put her in direct confrontation with the man she seeks to unseat.

There has been a recent wave of Somali immigrants to Minneapolis/St. Paul who have participated in homegrown terror plots, and American Somalis have traveled to Somalia to participate in Jihad.

StoptheACLU blog reported that might be a reason for the rise in anti-Islamist sentinment among regular Minnesotans:

The Huffington Post reports “the growth of anti-Muslim sentiment in Minnesota..." the tuberculosis they brought with them and their habit of never... integrating into society.

Yet the local media, and politically correct politicians have been almost completely silent on the increasing threat from the Somalis.

In Torgerson, regular Minnesota Joe and Jane Sixpacks may have found a new champion for more restrictive immigration policies for Somalis and other Muslim immigrants.

Going after the record of Radical Islamist Keith Ellison

From her website:

Who is Keith Ellison? He is my opposing candidate for the Fifth Congressional District seat. Keith Ellison is a Muslim, a person who was raised Christian and converted to Islam. He became associated with the Muslim faith and Louis Farakhan. Louis Farakhan also espoused hatred of Jews. Keith Ellison also has ties to CAIR. Its members donated to his campaign. Additionally, high ranking members of CAIR have been speakers of honor at his campaign fundraisers. Keith Ellison has spoken at CAIR's fundraising dinners. All people should definitely look at the list of Keith Ellison's donors. The list can be found at fec.gov, which is the Federal Election Commission website or opensecrets.org. Approximately $700,000 came from OUTSIDE THE STATE OF MINNESOTA into Ellison's campaign. Why would so many people outside of the State of Minnesota be so interested in a Minnesota congressperson?

Now, with all due respect, America, and its people, should be lauded for its goal of promoting to public office and other high ranks, people of color, women, minorities, etc. However, quite frankly, in our zeal, we simply went too far with Keith Ellison. Keith Ellison simply is not a proper person to have in our federal government. Ellison, in the past year or so, introduced a bill entitled "Global Peace." "Global." I think that word is telling. Globalization of Islam. It is also my understanding that when people of the Muslim faith use the word peace, that "peace" to them means the elimination of Christians and Jews. Yassar Arafat, a known terrorist who began the PLO (the Palestinian Labor Organization), also often called for "peace." Also, it should be pointed out that during a recent vote regarding funding to support the needs of our troops, Keith Ellison voted against the bill. He later has voted to fund many other things, but, again, he voted against funding for the needs of our troops at war.

So, we have Keith Ellison with ties both to Islam and to CAIR. We have him also voting against funding the needs of our military. Keith Ellison has no business in our federal government.

Radical Islam is anti-Constituion

Torgerson sees opposing Islamism as wholly Constitutionalist. Continuing from MinnIndy:

Indeed she frames several of her objections to Islam in terms of the U.S. Constitution. Islamic teachings advocate murder of non-Muslims, she charges, putting the religion at least partly outside the protection of the First Amendment, which is also contravened by Islam’s goal to “Islamize the entire world,” as she puts it. Islam’s oppression of women, she contends, violates the Constitution’s equal-protection clause.

Torgerson cites as well the 2004 assassination of Dutch director Theo Van Gogh for making a short film based on Islam critic Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s book “Infidel.”

Muslims “have teachings that are essentially criminal,” Torgerson said.

“Slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush.” (Sura 9:5)

"Idolaters are anyone who is not Muslim. Slay means to kill. Therefore, the Quran says to kill anyone who is not a Muslim. Simple."

Minnesota's 5th District is the most Progressive in the State, by far. Republicans have little hope of winning this seat. While candidate Togerson may not be a consistent libertarian, she may be the best hope for libertarians and conservatives concerned about the rising threat of Radical Islam.

TorgersonforCongress.com

From Eric Dondero:

The Hill reported earlier in the day, that Alan West, a candidate for US House from Florida for 2010, and long a favorite of Libertarian Republicans, made the following remarks:

"This enemy preys on downtrodden soldiers and teaches them extremism will lift them up," West said in a statement. "Our soldiers are being brainwashed."

The release added that West claims "the horrible tragedy at Fort Hood is proof the enemy is infiltrating our military."

West went on to comment:

[The Military should find ways] "to prevent Islamic extremism from penetrating our bases."

West said "it is imperative that we take steps to make sure this does not happen again" and that it is important to "objectively assess this situation."

West will be challening liberal Democrat Ron Klein in a Broward County district. In 2008, an off Election Year for the GOP, West polled 45% against Klein.

West gained major media attention in 2003 during the early months of the Iraq War, when he was called before a Military Tribunal to answer questions over a combat incident. West pulled his weapon and threatened an Iraqi insurgent POW for information regarding the detenion of men in his unit.

More recently, West has co-hosted functions in South Florida for Dutch libertarian Parliamentarian Geert Wilders, and is a friend and close political ally of libertarian blogger Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugs.

Republican Party of Texas Welcomes State Rep. Chuck Hopson to the GOP

From Bryan Preston:

Austin - The Republican Party of Texas is pleased to welcome State Rep. Chuck Hopson (HD-11, Jacksonville) to the GOP. The now former Democratic State Representative, first elected to his office in 2000, is announcing today that he is switching to the Republican Party. Hopson's switch follows a wave of Democrats in Hardin and Palo Pinto Counties who switched to the GOP earlier this week.

“The wave of Republican strength rolls on,” said Republican Party of Texas Chairman Cathie Adams. “Texans see how the Pelosi Democrats are behaving in Washington, insulting the Tea Partiers and locking our state out of the health care bill negotiations, and they no longer want to be associated with the Democratic Party. We welcome State Rep. Hopson and anyone else who stands with us for limited government, lower taxes and real economic growth."

There are more party switches to come, as more conservative Texas Democrats make the choice to become Republicans. Dozens of Democrats across Texas are known to be considering switching or are already in the process of doing so.

Bryan Preston
Communications Director
Republican Party of Texas
bpreston@texasgop.org
512-879-4062

"Vote Republican at all levels to keep Texas strong, free and prosperous"

Rand Paul has pulled ahead of main rival Trey Greyson. From SurveyUSA:

Bowling Green eye doctor Rand Paul has no political experience, but with the support of the same people who backed his Dad, Texas Congressman Ron Paul, when he ran for president. Rand Paul has now at least pulled even with Secretary of State Trey Grayon in the GOP U.S. Senate primary.

32% Grayson
35% Paul
2% Johnson
1% Oerther
3% Thoney
10% Other
18% Undecided

However, his ties to his controversial father are starting to become an issue in the race.

Says Video Producer Wendy Macy:

With Ron Paul "alot of people agreed with him, except when it turned to foreign policy."

"The challenge that Rand faces is that many traditional conservatives will continue to associate Rand with elements of libertarianism that they consider extreme."

Note from the Editor: Libertarian Republican is supportive of the Rand Paul campaign and runs this video for informational purposes to show what challenges he faces in the primary.

Total of 8 Libertarian Victories throughout Pennsylvania

Bill Beeman is a former Libertarian Party member. He recently switched parties to Republican, and became the non-establishment GOP nominee for County Council District 6 in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was staunchly opposed by the local establishment. From GoErie.com, Nov. 4:

The county executive contest may be the marquee race, but we repeat our concerns about Ebert "Bill" Beeman, the Republican-in-name-only candidate running for Erie County Council's 6th District seat. Beeman's radical anti-government views would make it difficult to achieve consensus on any projects to improve the region. Write-in candidate Dave Mitchell, the incumbent, has worked with the rest of Erie County Council for the common good. He deserves your support.

Final Vote:

(WITH 23 OF 23 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
GERALD D. PRICE, JR. (DEM). . . . . 1,851 28.93
EBERT G. BEEMAN (REP) . . . . . . 2,054 32.10
ALBERT Bert TAYLOR (GRN) . . . . . 169 2.64
STEVEN PORTER (IND) . . . . . . . 754 11.78
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 1,570 24.54

Beeman runs a local Notary business in Erie. He is also a known Tax Protester. In the 1980s, Beeman spent some time in jail for refusal to pay back taxes and local fines for violations of various ordinances he believed to be unjust. From the Pennsylvania Notary Blog:

During his campaign, he stated his desire to eliminate mandated county goverment services, including the Erie County Public Library. Beeman also advocated the release of nonviolent offenders from the Erie County Prison and a 10 percent pay cut for all non-bargaining county employees.

(H/t IPR)

RELATED

Libertarian Party wins 7 local Offices in PA, including two Mayors

From LP.org:

Michael J. Robertson was elected was elected Licking Township Supervisor.

Berlie R. Etzel was elected Ashland Township Constable.

Timothy A. Russell was elected Emlenton Borough Mayor.

Larry Allen Boyle was elected Polk Borough Mayor.

James Fryman was elected Victory Township Auditor.

Paula L. Meddings and Chad M. Roberts were both elected to the Houston Borough Council.

Susan Haythornthwaite was elected Auditor of Abbott Township.

Fiery Fiscal Conservative Republican Rob Astorino crushed 3-term incumbent Democrat Andrew Spano for Westchester County Executive. Astorino is described as a "relative unknown."

The day after his win, Astorino commented to WNYC radio:

"This is a very big message to Albany that they cannot keep taxing and spending the way they are."

LoHud.com (Lower Hudson Valley) reports:

It wasn't quite a red wave that washed across northern Westchester Tuesday, but it certainly wasn't a bad night to be a Republican.

Voters ousted Democratic supervisors in Yorktown and Lewisboro and elected GOP majorities in both towns, as they did in North Castle,?North Salem and Somers. A 24-year-old Republican even cracked the all-Democratic Ossining Town Board.

As one specific example, Yorktown shifted from a Town Board of 4-1Democrat to 3-2 Republican.

The issues that caused the stunning GOP Wins? Taxes and the Economy. LowHud interviewed two local Voters:

Taxes are out of control in Yorktown, voter and mother of two Lisa Starkey said.

"It's a great community to live in, but they're making it unaffordable," she said.

That's what brought John Lemke out to vote for the Republican slate.

"Rising taxes are creating a real hardship on the residents here," Lemke said.

Democrat elected officials have become such a pariah in this heavily Blue New York City suburb that one Democrat even got beat by a Libertarian. Continuing:

In North Castle, where Democratic Supervisor Reese Berman did not seek re-election, the Democrat came in third behind the Republican and an independent endorsed by the Libertarian Party.

Scott Garrett wins by a hair: Barbara Comstock pulls it out

From Cliff Thies:

Repubs net 6 seats in Virginia House of Delegates

Increase caucus from 55 - 45 to 61 - 39

GOP 7 pick-ups

83rd

32nd

3rd

67th

51st

23rd

21st (only a 0.1 percent margin)

DEMS 1 pick-up

93rd

From the Washington Examiner, minutes ago...

Republican Barbara Comstock defeated Democratic incumbent Margi Vanderhye in the race for that seat by the razor-thin margin of 50.6 percent to 49.2 percent.

Meanwhile, Republican Scott Garrett nipped incumbent Democrat Shannon Valentine in Lynchburg, 50.5 percent to 49.5 percent, with the race called by the Associated Press Wednesday morning.

"A lot of the pickups were in urban areas," said Republican Del. Dave Albo of Fairfax. "It's really going to help us out in Richmond."

Cliff Thies is the former National Chair of the Republican Liberty Caucus. He lives in Winchester, VA.

Seven Hardin County Elected Democrats Switch to the Republican Party

From Bryan Preston, RPT:

Austin - The Republican Party of Texas is pleased to welcome several Democratic officeholders who switched parties today and became Republicans. Today in Hardin County, seven Democrats announced that they are switching parties to become Republicans. The new Republicans include Sheriff Ed Cain, County Judge Billy Caraway and Precinct 4 Commissioner Bobby Franklin. And at noon Tuesday in Palo Pinto County, Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Bobby Hart switched his party affiliation and became a Republican. Three other Palo Pinto County Democratic officeholders indicated a strong interest in switching parties. The Republican Party of Texas has been working to build Republican strength at the local level, by working with county parties, recruiting candidates for the GOP primary and by recruiting conservative Democrats to switch parties.

“The wave of Republican strength continues to build,” said Republican Party of Texas Chairman Cathie Adams. “Americans are simply fed up with the Washington Democrats’ failing leftwing policies and government power grabs. The elections in Virginia and New Jersey Tuesday prove that Republicans are gaining momentum as the voters tell Democrats 'Enough is enough!.' We welcome these newly minted Republicans and anyone else who will stand with us for more freedom, lower taxes and smaller government.”

There are more party switches to come, as more conservative Texas Democrats make the choice to become Republicans. Dozens of Democrats across Texas are known to be considering switching or are already in the process of doing so. There is no similar movement of Republican officeholders leaving the Party.

Press Contact: Bryan Preston, Communications Director, Republican Party of Texas, bpreston@texasgop.org, (512)879-4062.

Note - Hardin County is located in East Texas just north of Beaumont. Photo is of Hardin Cty. Courthouse.

HUGE WIN FOR LIBERTARIAN PARTY IN NYC!!!

Libertarian Dan Halloran wins City Council Seat in New York City

Dan Halloran was elected to the Queens City Council in District 19. He was nominated by the Republican, Conservative, Independent and Libertarian parties. Dan is simultaneously a Libertarian Party member and a registered Republican. He serves as State Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus.

Note - Dan Halloran has just become the highest elected official for the Libertarian Party in the entire Nation. He also has the distinction of serving on the largest city council as a Libertarian Councilman in the entire 36 year history of the Libertarian Party. Previously Libertarians have been elected to City Councils in Flagstaff, AZ, Juneau, AK, Moreno Valley, CA, and Birmingham, AL. Currently, LPers serve on city councils in Springfield, MO and Indianapolis.

In Iowa two Libertarians were elected:

Roger Fritz was elected Mayor of Roland.

Bill Lynn was elected as an Alderman in Davenport.

Meanwhile, Nick Taiber got 46% running for City Council in Cedar Falls. He advances to a runoff on December 1.

In Georgia Libertarian Party members racked up 1 victory and a number of high percentage near misses. From the LPGA:

Karen Richardson (photo) was re-elected to the John's Creek City Council.

Chris Neill, running for Mayor of Marietta, got 14%.

Richard Segal, running for City Council in Douglasville, got 41%.

Jeffrey Sexton, running for City Council in Leesburg, got 22%.

Kellie Weeks, running for School Board in Gainesville, got 32%.

Dr. Thomas Smoot, running for School Board in Valdosta, got 24%.

In North Carolina, Matt Drew (photo) got 27% in a runoff election for City Council in Durham. He was running against a longtime Democrat incumbent, and had beaten 3 other candidates to advance to the run-off.

Michigan:

Mark Byrne narrowly missed re-election to the Port Huron City Council.

Tom Hren got 8% running for City Commission in Big Rapids.

Andy LeCureaux was re-elected to the Hazel Park City Council.

Besides Matt Drew's race in Durham, Libertarians ran for Mayor of two other major US cities:

Joseph Dobrian got 0.2% running for Mayor of New York City. (5th place out of a field of 8).

In Minnesota, Christopher Clark got 3.0% running for Mayor of Minneapolis.

Continuously updated election results for the Libertarian Party at http://www.lp.org

History in the making...

NEW JERSEY GOES REPUBLICAN!!!

From the Editor: Open thread to discuss 2009 Election Results. The Editor of Libertarian Republican is taking a day's rest from all blogging. Back on line Thursday morning.

NOTE FROM OUR NEW JERSEY LR CONTRIBUTOR RYAN CHRISTIANO:

This is all very exciting. I almost can't sleep because I'm so thrilled. This victory, and all of the GOP victories last night, are a repudiation of the direction Obama is taking us in.

I was very young when Whitman was elected Governor, so this will be the first Republican Governor I will really remember.

The RNC owes us supporters of Governor Christie quite a debt. This was an exhausting and Herculean effort to elect a Republican Governor in this very utlra- liberal state. They also owe us for taking out Corzine. He has always been a billion dollar thorn in the side of the national Party in DC.

Republicans should recognize this electoral tsunami for what it is, a harbinger of a Republican surge in the coming midterm elections. They should remember where the first 'shot' was fired, and the candidate who led the way.

Thank you, Eric for all of your help in tirelessly promoting the Christie campaign. Once again, your extraordinary talents were needed, and you were there offering your help in any way you could. Your urging on of moderate and libertarian Republicans to back Christie made a difference. This victory is yours tonight, even if you do live just south of New Jersey.

Note - Ryan is Acting Chair of the Libertarian Defense Caucus, a former Libertarian Party member, and a lifelong New Jerseyan.

From Eric Dondero:

Last night, Dave Nalle, National Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus joined myself and fellow RLCer Dan Sheill of Michigan, on a special election edition of "Libertarian Politics Live." For a good 50 minutes we looked at all the various races around the US from a libertarian perspective. You can listen to the show on the side right bar at the Blog Talk Radio button.

To recap:

Bob McDonnell and Chris Christie are of course, in the two most important races in the Nation. While both men are solid conservatives, McDonnell has a pro-growth/pro-jobs libertarian streak on economics. Christie has tapped a "fiscally conservative/socially tolerant" running mate in Kim Guadagno.

For Attorney General in Virginia, Ken Cuccinelli comes from the social conservative side of the spectrum. However, Cuccinelli has called himself a "libertarian" on occasion, and was slammed by the Democrats and the liberal media in Virginia for having once supporte a "Cato Institute" inspired plan to privatize Social Security.

Note - Both states also have races for state legislature to watch.

For New York City Mayor a colorful and flamboyant Libertarian Party member Joseph Dobrian, is the "real Republican," in the race against liberal nanny-stater Michael Bloomberg on the Republican line. Dobrian is in favor of repealing Bloomberg's city-wide smoking ban on bars and restaurants, and promises to "make NYC fun again."

Also, Republican Liberty Caucus State Coordinator Dan Halloran is running for City Council in Queens, and is given at least even odds of winning in this heavily Democrat City.

Of course, the most talked about New York race around the country is Doug Hoffman for US Congress CD 23. While not a libertarian, Hoffman is a fan of Glenn Beck and is the "Tea Party" candidate.

In southern Michigan, Greg Merle is running in a special election for State Senate. Merle is running on the Libertarian line, though, he's a former, and maybe even future Republican. He says no matter the outcome of the election, he plans to run for Congress in 2010 as a Republican in the GOP primaries.

Also in Michigan, Mike Byrne, Libertarian City Councilman in Port Huron, is running for reelection. Mike recently received the endorsement of the local paper in town.

Libertarian Matt Drew is the underdog in the race for Mayor of Durham, NC against an ultra-liberal establishment Democrat Howard Clement. There is no Republican on the ballot. Regardless of the final outcome, Drew may have already won in many respects. He made it to the run-off in a 5-person field; a first for a Libertarian Party candidate in North Carolina.

Other races include: Mayor of Atlanta where Mary Norwood is the "fiscally conservative," choice; King County Executive (Seattle) where Susan Hutchison is the budget hawk anti-establishment candidate.

Two ballot initiatives of great interest to libertarians include the TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) in both Maine and Washington State. Both are expected to pass.

For a full list of 2009 endorsed candidates by the Republican Liberty Caucus go to rlc.org

Just Breaking...

From Eric Dondero:

Libertarian Republican has just learned that GOP officials believe that as many as 50 to 70 elected officials on the county level throughout Texas could be switching from Democrat to Republican by the filing date for the 2010 elections. The news comes to us from Bryan Preston, Communications Director for the Republican Party of Texas out of Austin. Preston hosted an exclusive conference call for Right bloggers earlier this afternoon, including LR, and libertarian Republican Stacy McCain of The Other McCain.

The special guest for the conference call was newly appointed RPT Chair Cathie Adams. Ms. Adams made the official announcement.

Details are still not available at this time. They should be released later this evening and into tomorrow.

What we do know is that the Party Switchers appear to be mainly within 4 Counties: Palo Pinto, McColloch, Hardin, and another yet to be named. Hardin has 8 expected Party Switchers. A Judge has already switched in Palo Pinto and another 3 or 4 are expected within the coming days. By the end of the week said Preston, there could be as many as 10 County elected officials who have switched parties from these 4 Counties.

Commented Preston on the main reason for the Switching: Today's election results with Republicans on the verge of a blow-out and the fact that "Obama's name is becomming poison here in Texas."

UPDATE

The RPT has just released preliminary information on a press release at RPT.org