| Volume 2 Issue 3 | September 1996 |
The Libertarian Party will become West Virginia's first new major party in 70 years according to a recent governors race poll. The poll, conducted by the Charleston Gazzette, showed Democrat Charlotte Pritt at 51 percent, Republican Cecil Underwood at 47.6 percent, and Libertarian Wallace Johnson at 1.4 percent. Ther survey was taken by telephone August 26 through 28, and represented a cross-section of statewide voters.
State law mandates new political parties win at least one percent of the gubernatorial vote to earn major party status. Major party staus will allow Libertarian candidates for any office to run without having to petition for ballot access. This year the Libertarian party gathered more than 23,000 signatures to place its candidates on the general election ballot.
"Obviously, we wish we were polling in the 30 percent range," said Johnson. "But we are excited about being on target for our goal of becoming a major party in West Virginia."
According to Libertarian Party of West Virginia Chair John K. Brown, major party status will open the door for disaffected Democrats, Republicans and even followers of Ross Perot.
"There's a lot of politically active people who don't like the choices the Republicans and Democrats are offering," Brown said. "Since the Reform Party was unable to get their candidate for governor on the ballot, we hop to pick up those voters."
The last non-Democratic/non-Republican party in West Virginia was the Socialist Party, which received more than one percent of the vote in 1924. Even though they never won an election they were very instrumental in shaping public policy.
"Big Government was their goal--and they got it," Johnson said. "Now its our turn and we not only want less government, but we want minimal government"
Dr. Johnson has accepted an invitation to participate in a televised debate against Charlotte Pritt. The League of Women Voters is sponsoring the October 6 event that will begin 7 p.m. The debate will be aired by West Virginia Public Television and simulcast on West Virginia Public Radio. Cecil Underwood declined.
In another debate, hosted by the West Virginia Broadcasters Association, Johnson was excluded.
"I am deeply disappointed with (their) recent decision," Johnson said. "They have ignored the public's desire for alternatives, especially the 23,000 who signed petitions to put me on the ballot.
The LPWV will organize a debate protest demonstration. It will begin at 6 p.m. Oct, 8 outside the Cultural Center in Charleston. Call John Sturgeon at 343-6272 for more information.
"The LPWV Founders Club"
"If you're for out-of-state Megacorps like Big Coal and Big Oil vote for my opponent," says Dr. Joseph Whelan, Libertarian state senate candidate for the ninth district. "But if you're for West Virginia-based businesses, paying the taxes, not getting the credits, and tired of the endless regulations, vote for me."
Whelan believes if he can reach enough small business owners and help them realize this--he will have a chance to become the nation's highest-elected public official in the LP's history.
He has started the face-to-face meetings in Beckley, and has received a very good response.
In other news:
The West Virginia Family News, published by the West Virginia Family
Foundation, has endorsed Whelan as the "Family Values" candidate.
Whelan scoed an 81, while his incumbent Democratic opponent, Billy
Wayne Bailey, scored 63 on a survey of 16 questions.