Counting Candidates

By Greg Tlapek

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Thirty-three Missouri Libertarians who have never run for office before have expressed an interest in running for office this year. MoLP Executive Director Greg Tlapek estimates that between 10-15 of those will actually file and run. "We should still end up with about 30 candidates, but I hope I'm wrong," said Tlapek.

The Party ran 50 candidates statewide in 1998 and 41 candidates in 2000.

Candidates Could Come Out of Woodwork

"One gentleman I spoke to," Tlapek reported, said, " 'Heck, I might as well run'. I hope there are more like him". Many others share the view that running for office as a Libertarian is vastly better than the fruitless pursuit of waiting around for the Republicans and Democrats to improve matters.

Many Americans get their first exposure to Libertarian ideas through our candidates and their campaigns. "Without candidates and campaigns, we are invisible," said Ron Crickenberger, national Political Director for the LP.  "Running for office is the single most effective way to promote the freedom philosophy."

Further, Libertarians are natural idea leaders. "Libertarian ideas that were considered outlandish 30 years ago -- like replacing the bankrupt Social Security system with private retirement accounts and ending the failed War on Drugs, are part of mainstream political debate now", stated LP National Director Steve Dasbach.

Anyone Can File on Libertarian Party Ticket

One factor that could affect the number of Libertarian candidates is that we are a good alternative party for some.  Jeff Foli ran for mayor of Chillicothe, Missouri, on the Libertarian Party ticket, hoping he could pull support from both Republicans and Democrats. He won. Political types were reminded of that fact in a recent second round of statewide press coverage.

If you are considering a run, you can e-mail Jim Higgins, Secretary of the state party, at HigginsLP@aol.com or fill out the candidate form at the national LP website, www.LP.org.  Click on "Campaigns" and then click on "Run for Office".