Peg Luksik is a conservative activist in Pennsylvania who ran for Governor three times in the 90′s, and who is now running against Arlen Specter for the open US Senate seat in Pennsylvania. She ran for Governor in 1990 as a Republican and captured 44%. In 1994 she ran as independent with connections to the Constitutional Party (the Constitution Party’s Pennsylvania affilliate) and recieved an impressive 12.84% statewide, as well as beating the Democratic nominee in a couple of counties. In 1998 she ran again, as the Constitutional Party’s nominee, and scored 10.44%. She again outpolled the Democratic nominee in multiple counties. In 1994, as an Independent candidate, she raised $300,000 in about 3 months. In 1998, her campaign raised about $691,000 over the duration of the campaign–which was more than the Democratic nominee. In both the 1994 and 1998 races, Peg Luksik’s Lt. Governor nominee was Jim Clymer, who is now the Constitution Party’s National Chairman.
There is speculation that if Peg Luksik loses the Republican nomination, an as-of-yet-undetermined Constitution Party candidate would get her endorsement in the general election. Speculation is running rampant as to who that candidate will be, but the main names being tossed around are Rep. Sam Rohrer, Jim Clymer, and Paul Gottfried. Jim Clymer made his own Constitutional Party run for US Senate in 2004, scoring 3.96%, and gaining access to the televised debates, as well as the endorsement of the Pittsburg Tribune-Review.
Peg Luksik has promised to be a friend of those who suffer under draconian ballot access laws, if elected. We will keep up with this story with interest.
UPDATE: David Weigel has some more interesting tidbits on the story.
h/t to Red Phillips
17 responses so far ↓
1 Morgan Brykein // Mar 12, 2009 at 1:01 am
I wish her luck.
Despite our difference in opinion, we should all stand together as supporters of “alternative” parties and candidates.
2 Trent Hill // Mar 12, 2009 at 1:15 am
Well, right now shes running as a Republican. But I support her because she’ll support better ballot access.
3 Trent Hill // Mar 12, 2009 at 1:43 am
Little known fact about Jim Clymer–he once ran for Auditor General in Pennsylvania (in 1992) as a Libertarian.
4 Trent Hill // Mar 12, 2009 at 1:44 am
He also represents the Catholic and interventionist wings of the CP (Dont mean that as an insult. I believe he is noninterventionist, but doesnt seem to mind moderately interventionist candidates). He has close relations to Bob Smith and Alan Keyes.
5 Austin // Mar 12, 2009 at 5:43 am
I’m slightly confused… she’s running for Senate or for Governor?
6 James Clifton // Mar 12, 2009 at 6:45 am
Specter’s seat isn’t an open seat.
7 Peter Gemma // Mar 12, 2009 at 7:35 am
Does she have some personal feud with former Re p. Toomey? Is he not conservative enough for her?
8 Joe Murphy // Mar 12, 2009 at 10:18 am
She is running as a Rep. for Senate. In an interview she spoke with Rep. Toomey and he indicated to her that he was not going to run for senate. I believe that is why she decided to run, then it looks like Toomey changed his mind. He may have had some pressure from the state republican party who does not like Mrs. Luksic. This article by Trent indicates she would run for Gov. if she loses the Rep. primary against Toomey. I have no idea, put Trent is usually in the mix.
9 Joe Murphy // Mar 12, 2009 at 10:19 am
I meant BUT Trent is usually in the mix. HAHA
10 Trent Hill // Mar 12, 2009 at 10:44 am
I dont see what is so confusing. She is running for US Senate, but I cited her third party connections (which include two runs for governor)–but it WAS like 3AM when I posted this.
11 Joe Murphy // Mar 12, 2009 at 10:59 am
I just think the title threw him off, I guess.
12 Trent Hill // Mar 12, 2009 at 11:53 am
Oh,crap. The title.
Thanks Joe! =)
13 Ross Levin // Mar 12, 2009 at 1:50 pm
James – Specter’s up for reelection in 2010.
14 Peter Gemma // Mar 13, 2009 at 7:50 am
the only thing I’m confused about is why Mrs. Luksic – a great campaigner – would want to split the conservative vote in the GOP primary against Spector. Toomey is not my favorite for several ideological reasons, but he is a masterful fundraiser, will attract millions in donations, and scored 49% of the vote last time. OK, he changed his mind, and she may have hurt feelings, but the target is Spector isn’t it? Luskic has an impressive record, especially as a third party alternative, but is there no other office that she can turn her sights on but the GOP primary for Sen.?
15 citizen1 // Mar 13, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Spector’s seat is up for election but will most likely not be an open seat as it is called in the article because he will be running for reelection. Hopefully after the primary it is an open seat.
16 citizen1 // Mar 13, 2009 at 3:00 pm
If only half of the good candidates that are coming forward or being talked about as running for Senate as Republicans could win it would be a big step in the right direction.
17 Trent Hill // Mar 13, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Peter,
Luksik says she talked to Toomey and he very vluntly said he WAS NOT going to run, but since the polling numbers have come out he seems to be reconsidering. You cant bglame the lady for jumping in when Toomey said he wasnt going to. And Toomey may STILL not jump in.
With that said, I think Luksik should aim at a Congressional race, not a US Senate one. Still, I think she could win if Toomey doesnt run.
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