October 30, 2010

This is a list of candidates endorsed by the LPMN. We hope this voter’s guide will assist our membership and supporters in choosing the most pro-liberty candidates possible in the November 2 general election.

Since April, when the LPMN began considering cross-party endorsements, eight candidates from other parties have approached the LPMN Executive Committee to seek a Libertarian endorsement. Seven candidates were endorsed, and one was not endorsed. All candidates are listed here. Included are a brief summary of the Executive Committee’s deliberations, the endorsement vote result, and candidate websites or other useful links.

It should be noted that endorsed candidates of other political parties are not libertarian. Libertarian voters are likely to find at least one issue where they may disagree with a candidate. An endorsement indicates that the Executive Committee has interviewed these candidates firsthand and found them to be substantially pro-liberty, enough to deserve special attention from our members and supporters. Nonetheless, we advise voters to do their own due diligence before making their decisions.

It should also be noted that it is not the intent of the LPMN to endorse only conservative-leaning candidates. The LPMN welcomes candidates from any party or political affiliation to request our endorsement.

STATEWIDE RACES:

AUDITOR
Pat Anderson (R) – endorsement granted
 Deliberation: Ms. Anderson is experienced as State Auditor from a previous term. She stated that her main goal will be to use the Auditor position to conduct “aggressive oversight” of cities, counties, school districts, and the Metropolitan Council, to fight waste and abuse. When presented with general skepticism about what Republicans can accomplish over Democrats, she agreed that while Democrats have eroded liberty, Republicans have infringed on liberty as well. She clearly understands the difference between genuine free-market libertarianism as opposed to “pro-business” conservatism, with this excellent explanation; we couldn’t have said it better ourselves. As a previous member of the LP, she’s essentially a libertarian running under a Republican banner.
Decision: Endorsed unanimously.
Resources: [Website] [Facebook]

SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
Greg Wersal (R) – endorsement granted
Deliberation: Mr. Wersal mentioned his previous affiliation with the Republicans. He has done outstanding work fighting for freedom of speech for judicial candidates. He led a successful case up to the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that judges shouldn’t be muzzled from discussing their views on legal & political issues nor prevented from identifying their political affiliation, a situation which has led to voters “voting blindly” for judicial candidates they know little about. He was questioned about the recent case of a man convicted of DWI even though he hadn’t been driving, which went before an Appeals Court (covered here) and the Minnesota Supreme Court (covered here), resulting in a conviction which was widely seen by the public as a travesty of justice. He was asked how he would’ve decided the case. He stated that he hadn’t heard about it but indicated that he’d convict if the law was Constitutional. His unfamiliarity with this high-profile case was troubling, and also, abiding by the Constitution is only a minimal threshold for Libertarian support; we seek judicial candidates who demonstrate unequivocal support for individual liberty and a willingness to strike down unjust laws even if they are Constitutional. Mr. Wersal’s request for endorsement was initially denied. However, he was invited back to clarify his views. Upon returning, he said he’d reviewed the case and believes the “in control of [a vehicle]” portion of the DWI law may be too vague. Pressed further on the issue, he was asked whether he supported jury nullification, a core libertarian issue which recognizes that jury members have the right to judge not only the facts of a case, but also the law itself. We explained that juries’ refusal to convict was key to the eventual repeal of Constitutional but unjust laws such as the Fugitive Slave Act and Alcohol Prohibition. He indicated that he supports this right, and that he’d consider informing jurors of this right. He was endorsed in a second vote.
Decision: First vote: Endorsement withheld in a tie vote. Second vote: Endorsed unanimously.
Resources: [Website] [Video]

SECRETARY OF STATE
Dan Severson (R) – endorsement denied
Deliberation: Mr. Severson stated that his main goal is to mandate government-issued photo identification of voters. Challenging this, we explained that mandatory government ID has already expanded over the years to include driving, alcohol purchase, airline travel, fishing, and many other areas, and we see photo ID for voters as an incremental step toward a “National ID” scheme which would empower the government to track and monitor citizens for all activities. We also note that numerous senior citizens and many of the poor don’t have drivers licenses, so a mandatory photo ID would tend to disenfranchise those groups, and since obtaining a government-issued photo ID requires paying a fee, this amounts to a poll tax which is unconstitutional under the 24th and 14th Amendments. He also stated his goal to eliminate same-day voter registration, claiming that it’s been used fraudulently. However, we find this to be a typical tactic of politicians: if a few people abuse a freedom, it’s used to “justify” taking away that freedom from everyone. Even if there have been some occurances of fraud, we note that same-day voter registration has been used legitimately by an overwhelming majority of voters. When Mr. Severson was asked whether he supports the instant-runoff (ranked choice) voting method, he replied that he opposes it. By contrast, the LPMN endorsed instant-runoff voting for Minneapolis in 2006.
Special Note: Mr. Severson has recently voiced some disturbing views regarding separation of Church and State, and while he alleges “widespread fraud” in the 2008 U.S. Senate race, we note that former Senator Norm Coleman hadn’t even raised fraud as an issue during the election’s court case.
Decision: Endorsement withheld unanimously.

STATE HOUSE, SENATE, & JUDICIAL RACES:

HOUSE DISTRICT 40A (Burnsville & Savage northeast)
Bruce Johnson (C) – endorsement granted
Deliberation: Mr. Johnson stated that he would enforce the 10th Amendment by opposing federal infringements upon Minnesota through unfunded mandates, and that he opposes corporate welfare, burdensome mandates like No Child Left Behind, and other federal involvement in education. He opposes eminent domain and strongly supports property rights. He also mentioned that he’d been a National LP member. However, he initially voiced confusing views on some issues, most notably his support for “campaign finance reform”. We explained that previous attempts at such “reform” have only raised barriers to smaller political parties and helped cement advantages for the two major parties. We pointed out that Libertarian Presidential contender Doug Stanhope, who’d intended to use his nationally-touring standup comedian act to promote his campaign, had been forced to withdraw because federal law now prohibits political campaigning when earning personal income. Mr. Johnson’s request for endorsement was initially denied. However, he was invited back to clarify his views. Upon returning, he said he’d investigated the issue further and now agrees that political campaigning falls under freedom of speech, and stated that he’s changed his position accordingly. He was endorsed in a second vote.
Special Note: While our LPMN platform avoids a position on the divisive abortion issue, we realize that the Constitution Party’s strong “pro-life” stance will be disagreeable to libertarians who support a woman’s reproductive liberty and who believe government has no business interfering in matters of parenting or childbirth. However, we recognize that some libertarians hold good-conscience views on the “pro-life” side. As this would otherwise remain an intractible issue between the CP and LP, the Executive Committee has decided to set it aside for the purpose of cross-party endorsements, as CP candidates tend to be pro-liberty on most other issues. Thus, we leave it to our members to vote their conscience.
Decision: First vote: Endorsement withheld by majority vote. Second vote: Endorsed unanimously.
Resources: [Website]

HOUSE DISTRICT 49B (Coon Rapids & Andover south)
Harley Swarm (C) – endorsement granted
Deliberation: Mr. Swarm expressed strong support of many issues important to libertarians, including support for the Bill of Rights, support for the 2nd Amendment right to self-defense, and repeal of the 17th Amendment which removed the states’ check-and- balance on federal power via the U.S. Senate. He advocates a flat tax but only as an incremental step toward elimination of personal taxation. He also opposes unfunded federal mandates such as No Child Left Behind. While his support of zero tolerance for illegal immigration is at odds with the LPMN’s support of free movement of people and goods across borders, this is unlikely to be a significant issue in state-level office. As the Constitution Party is known for its religious flavor, he was asked whether he supported separation of Church and State. He replied that he does believe in keeping these separate. He also voiced support for a free-market education system where parents could choose between secular schools, Christian schools, and schools of other religious denominations.
Decision: Endorsed by majority vote with one dissent.
Resources: [Website]

SENATE DISTRICT 62 (Minneapolis Hiawatha area)
Patrick Elgin (R) – endorsement granted
Deliberation: Unlike many Republicans, Mr. Elgin expressed strong support for liberty on personal and social issues. He supports the freedom of people to marry without government restriction and would legalize gay marriage. He supports ending taxpayer-funded abortions but would not challenge the availability of abortion in the state, and he also understands that government should neither encourage nor discourage religion. On fiscal issues, he supports cutting state bureaucracy and a balanced budget. He is opposed to government-mandated health insurance, although he suggests creation of new government clinics to handle those without insurance. When questioned whether he’d be willing to support new free-market approaches to education, he was receptive. He understands that productive jobs aren’t created by government, but by allowing businesses to prosper. He also expressed strong support toward libertarians and a desire for libertarians to have a voice in his campaign.
Decision: Endorsed by majority vote with one dissent.
Resources: [Website]

JUDICIAL DISTRICT 10, SEAT 3 (Counties of Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Sherburne, Washington, & Wright)
David Hanson (R) – endorsement granted
Deliberation: Mr. Hanson indicated that he was seeking Republican endorsement. He described himself as a “fiscal conservative and social liberal” with a “libertarian flair” although he never became active in the LP. He stated that he was a prosecutor for two years but is now a defense attorney, giving him balanced experience on both sides of cases, rather than only acting on the government’s behalf as prosecutor. He promised to serve out a full term, not to resign prematurely so the Governor could appoint a successor to bypass the election process. Mr. Hanson was asked whether he would inform jurors of their right to jury nullification. He responded that he’d be unable to directly inform jurors of their right since jury instructions are standardized by the Minnesota Supreme Court and any attempt to modify them would lead to appeal. However, he said that he would allow defense attorneys to cite jury nullification in their closing arguments.
Decision: Endorsed unanimously.
Resources: [Website] [Facebook] [Article]

CITY & COUNTY RACES:

APPLE VALLEY – MAYOR
Ryan Richard Moe (L) – nominated by LPMN, endorsement granted
Decision: Endorsed unanimously.
Resources: [Facebook] [Article]

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS – MAYOR
Bob Odden (L) – nominated by LPMN, endorsement granted
Decision: Endorsed unanimously.
Resources: [Website] [Article]

HENNEPIN COUNTY – COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 1 (Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal north, Mpls northwest, New Hope north, Osseo, & Robbinsdale)
Mary O’Connor (L) – nominated by LPMN, endorsement granted
Decision: Endorsed unanimously.
Resources: [Article]

RAMSEY COUNTY – COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 5
Andy Noble (R) – endorsement granted
Deliberation: Mr. Noble’s emphasis is on fiscal issues. He spoke to the fact that Ramsey County’s property taxes are the highest in the metro area, higher than even Hennepin County, and that Commissioners have raised their own pay to $84,000, even though these are part-time jobs. He would cap Commissioners’ salaries, and cap property taxes for 2 years, while seeking ways to cut wasteful spending. He said that he opposes the light rail systems now being built at taxpayer expense. We pointed out that these light rail systems are not in themselves bad, only the involuntary funding by taxpayers. He agreed to support light rail if it were built by private entrepreneurs instead.
Decision: Endorsed unanimously.
Resources: [Website]

Party affiliations are (L) Libertarian Party, (C) Constitution Party, (R) Republican Party.

We hope this voter’s guide will assist our membership and supporters in choosing pro-liberty candidates on November 2. Would you like to have asked a question of these candidates? Another election is always around the corner. We invite you to come to our annual Convention or to one of our monthly meetings, where you can meet and ask questions of candidates seeking our endorsement, as well as make sure the LPMN Executive Committee hears your concerns.

Concerned about the relentless expansion of government control and the erosion of individual liberty? Consider joining and becoming active in the Libertarian Party of Minnesota. Libertarians stand in support of liberty on all issues, all the time. Libertarianism is a philosophical and political movement promoting individual freedom, voluntary interaction, genuine free markets, and peace.