On November 3, the citizens of the 6th city council district will decide who will represent them – a Green, an independent, a Republican, a Democrat, or an incumbent Republican running a write-in campaign.
The Green candidate is Bert Taylor, a construction superintendent who “is interested in the proposed community college.”
The independent is Steven Porter, a college professor and author who ran for Congress in 2006 as a Democrat, then denounced the party and ran a write-in campaign as an independent in 2008 for the same seat.
Porter said county officials should focus on developing wind farms and ethanol plants as alternative energy sources and should push for a high-speed rail line through Erie County.
“These are things we need to do to restore our economy,” Porter said.“It’s tough to live in an area where businesses are closing and neighbors’ homes are being foreclosed on.”
The Republican that will be on the ballot is really “a Libertarian and only sought the Republican nomination to appear mainstream.” His name is Ebert G. “Bill” Beeman, and the local newspaper classifies him as an “anti-government” activist.
Beeman’s platform — “reduce spending” — sounds like the party line.But court records — including those that show Beeman owes more than $2 million to the Internal Revenue Service — and Beeman’s own words reveal him to be an activist who questions government by flouting it.If elected to office, it appears Beeman does not want to change county government so much as dismantle it.Beeman, 60, said residents are “coming out of the woodwork” to support him.“They agree we can’t continue to live beyond our means,” he said.The party on whose ticket he is running is spending its money to ensure Beeman’s defeat.Erie County Republican Party Chairman Brad Moore is urging Republicans to support a write-in campaign by incumbent 6th District Councilman David Mitchell, who had planned on retiring from office.Moore said Beeman admitted in a July meeting with Erie County Republicans that he was a Libertarian and only sought the Republican nomination to appear mainstream.
15 responses so far ↓
1 Richard Winger // Oct 25, 2009 at 2:59 pm
It would be a good idea to put “Erie, Pennsylvania” in the title, because 7 states have towns with a post office called “Erie”, and also Buffalo, New York is in Erie County, New York. So it took me a while to figure out that this is a Pennsylvania story.
2 Ross Levin // Oct 25, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Sorry about that. Fixed.
3 Morgan Brykein // Oct 25, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Interesting race. I love local politics.
4 Gene Berkman // Oct 25, 2009 at 5:43 pm
A Libertarian running on the Republican ticket is a good strategy because there is a base of voters who identify as Republican that is far larger than the base of Libertarian voters.
Stressing themes of cutting spending, cutting taxes and reducing government – libertarian views that many Republican voters agree with – is a way to appeal to those Republicans.
The fact that the local Republican organization opposes Mr Beeman is more evidence that the idea of merging the Libertarian movement into the Republican Party organization is just insane. Take note, RLC activists.
5 Brittney Spears // Oct 25, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Green Party candidate running for President in Romania..
Remus Cernea of the Green Party is running strong race for President in Romania.
Registration opened Oct 23.
Romanian Election scheduled for November 22nd.
http://english.hotnews.ro/stiri-top_news-6339077-electoral-campaign-for-romania-presidential-elections-starts.htm
6 Ross Levin // Oct 25, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Thanks Brittney! Although I think your name is spelled wrong…
7 Mik Robertson // Oct 25, 2009 at 8:17 pm
The fact that the local Republican organization does not like Mr. Beeman is more evidence that there is no difference between the Democrats and the Republicans.
8 Jesse Johnson // Oct 26, 2009 at 2:18 am
Quite the slanders for Mr. Beeman in the local paper. I’m looking forward to more citizens getting involved in shaking up the establishment. This country was going down the wrong road well before Obama, but we sure are picking up steam.
9 Aroundtheblockafewtimes // Oct 26, 2009 at 9:30 am
flout: to treat with contempuous disregard.
Cloud used to refer to this as macho-flashing.
I guess we need candidates to point out the emperor is naked…as long as the candidate also suggests tasteful new fashions.
We know the Party cannot be successful if all the voters know is what we are against without knowing what we are for.
10 Mik Robertson // Oct 26, 2009 at 10:40 am
I would suggest that suggesting practical new fashions would work as well, although if they are tasteful that is better and if they are beautiful that is best.
11 Third Party Revolution // Oct 26, 2009 at 5:10 pm
I bet these people like Ebert Beeman and Dede Scozzafava are running simply to bring down the Republican Party, as their political views are out of the mainstream.
12 Nice // Nov 4, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Ebert wins!
http://www.eriecountygov.org/dept/voter/pdf/2009/election/election1112.pdf
13 Trent Hill // Nov 4, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Is Ebert a Ron Paul fan?
14 jerry gradler // Dec 25, 2009 at 9:45 am
is it true that brad moore got aids from phil english?
15 Third Party Revolution // Dec 25, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Horay! The RP is now one step closer to being destroyed!
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