Comments on: Third Party endorsements in NY

By: Gene Berkman

Gene Berkman — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:39:22 +0000

New York Libertarians have run on multiple lines in the past.
A few years ago the Chair of the Manhattan LP ran for Assembly on Libertarian & Republican lines in safe Democrat district.

In 1974, 3 New York Libertarians ran for State Assembly on the Conservative & Libertarian lines – one got 17% running against the Republican leader of the Assembly.

I don’t think New York Libertarians oppose the idea of seeking other nominations – but since there is little possibility in this years New York City elections, why bother?

By: Trent Hill

Trent Hill — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:48:31 +0000

Howard Phillips, CP Presidential candidate in 1992, 1996, and 2000, got the Right to Life Party ballot line in…1996, I think. He recieved 25,000 votes if memory serves.

By: Chris Cole

Chris Cole — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:43:38 +0000

I seem to remember a Libertarian candidate also running on the ballot line of the now-defunct Right to Life Party. County legislative race, maybe?

By: Sean Scallon

Sean Scallon — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:15:17 +0000

I wish more states would adopt Fusion besides New York. You guys are lucky.

By: Catholic Trotskyist

Catholic Trotskyist — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:58:19 +0000

Interesting that a Democrat got the Conservative Party endorsement. Is it because he is pro-life or something?

By: Gene Berkman

Gene Berkman — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:12:08 +0000

The various minor parties always run candidates for Mayor in New York City. You just don’ t hear about them and they get very few votes. So this year’s crop of third party candidates is not unusual.

By: d.eris

d.eris — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:15:51 +0000

I don’t recall there being so much third party activity in the last few NYC mayoral elections. Anyone know the numbers off hand?

By: Third Party Revolution

Third Party Revolution — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:48:44 +0000

By the way there is an error on this article. The candidate for Mayor of NYC is not with the Socialist Party but the Socialist Workers Party.

By: Kimberly Wilder

Kimberly Wilder — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:34:13 +0000

And, also, Reverend Billy Talen is the Green Party candidate for Mayor of NYC. So, the NYC race will have a vast array of third party candidates. Pretty interesting, actually.

In response to Eric:

Yes, many people dislike fusion. It can be a way for the big fish to swallow the little fish. And, that often happens with the Conservative/Independence/and Working Families Party in NY. They rarely run their own candidates, just endorse others.

On the other hand, when some Democratic leaders have proposed to end fusion in NY, I think that is a way to stifle one strategy that puts some pressure on the majors.

I kind of like it the way it is. Fusion is there, to be a “threat” to the major parties that a whole bunch of little parties could team up and overthrow them. But, parties such as the Green Party and Libertarian Party who are genuinely trying to build their own constituency and stick to their own ideals, resist the constant pressure to merge, and run their own candidates.

The local Green Party has cross-endorsed in very strategic ways. But, I am not sure I ever believe Greens should cross endorse. Greens do not take corporate funds, and cross-endorsed candidates probably would.

By: Eric Sundwall

Eric Sundwall — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:31:57 +0000

Joseph Dobrian is the Libertarian candidate for mayor of NYC. No fusion sought.