Libertarian Overby in 2-person race in Florida CD

Democrats' blunders open door to Libertarian facing David Jolly - John Romano, Tampa Bay Times:

May 31, 2014 - "Lucas Overby should blow kisses to local Democrats. They not only did a spectacular job of bungling the Congressional District 13 race for themselves, but they opened the door for Overby, who hadn't planned on running....

"Because their party honchos failed to act with any A) urgency B) vision C) strategy D) brain activity whatsoever, there will be no Democrat on the ballot in the fall....

"Overby, 27, ... points out that the Libertarian platform is broader than those of the two major parties, and it allows for right-leaning and left-leaning candidates. For instance, Overby ... is prochoice, supports LGBT issues and favors the federal legalization of medical marijuana.

"His progressive streak led him to work with the Rev. Manuel Sykes on his campaign in April before Democratic leaders bullied Sykes into dropping out. Within a week, Overby had decided to re-enter the race....

"Overby also hopes to pick off mainstream Republicans who disagree with some of Jolly's hard-right stances. Voting for a Libertarian will carry little risk for Republicans in this race because there is no Democrat to benefit from the split vote....

"Overby got roughly 5 percent of the vote in March with Jolly and Democrat Alex Sink on the ballot. His numbers will increase with no Democrat around."

Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/romano-democrats-blunders-open-door-to-libertarian-facing-david-jolly/2182363

Creative Loafing interviews FL Libertarian Lucas Overby

Third Party Lines: An Interview with Lucas Overby | Political Animal | Creative Loafing Tampa - Mitch Perry:

March 6, 2014 - "While David Jolly and Alex Sink continue to bash each other in incessant television ads, Libertarian candidate Lucas Overby has been trying to win over voters by showing up anywhere that will have him throughout [Florida Congressional] District 13.

"Although some Republicans accused him of being a 'plant' to siphon off GOP votes and aid Sink, the fact of the matter is that Overby declared even before Bill Young announced his intentions to run for re-election in 2013.

"At a Clearwater Starbucks on Gulf-to-Bay, I sat down with Overby to talk about the issues. Here are some excerpts:"

Read more: http://cltampa.com/politicalanimal/archives/2014/03/06/third-party-lines-an-interview-with-lucas-overby

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Libertarian Lucas Overby hits 12% in Florida poll

Alex Sink leading David Jolly by 9 percent in St. Leo Poll of CD 13 | Sunshine State News - Kevin Derby:

February 13, 2014 - "The polls keep coming in the special congressional election to replace the late U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla.

"St. Leo University released a poll on Thursday which shows former state CFO Alex Sink, the Democrat in the race, takes 46 percent while Republican David Jolly takes 37 percent and Libertarian Lucas Overby garners 12 percent. The Tampa Bay Times released a poll on Wednesday night showing Sink with a smaller lead and St. Pete Polls and St. PetersBlog unveiled a poll on Thursday which had Jolly up by a small margin. Both of the other polls found Overby polling in single digits.

"'Ms. Sink’s advantage is being driven by solid favorability ratings coupled with issue positions that seem to be more closely aligned with voter preferences than are Jolly’s,” said Frank Orlando who teaches political science at Saint Leo.... 'The fact that a Libertarian candidate has robust support levels in the double digits seems to be contributing to the size of Sink’s lead.

"'Jolly is not only leaking Republican voters to Alex Sink, but also to ... Overby,” added Orlando. 'Traditionally, Libertarian candidates have siphoned off more support from Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, and this is the case here. Despite being outspent and advertised, Overby’s presence in the televised debate has increased his visibility, but it remains to be seen if he can maintain this support to Election Day.'"

Read more: http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/alex-sink-leads-david-jolly-9-percent-libertarian-lucas-overby-12-percent-st-leo-poll

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Moneybomb & LP raise $12K to put FL Libertarian on ballot

Libertarian Party rallies massive fundraising to get Lucas Overby on ballot - The Global Dispatch - Brian Cole:

November 19, 2013 -"A weekend campaign money bomb, coupled with a generous donation from the Libertarian Party of Florida (LPF) worked together Monday evening (Nov. 18) to secure Overby’s slot on the ballot for the March 11, 2014 Congressional District (CD) 13 Special Election. This contest will decide who fills the congressional seat left vacant since October’s death of long-time Florida Republican Congressman Bill Young.

"Between the fundraiser and the LPF donation, Overby brought in over $12,000, comfortably above the required $10,440 filing fee needed for the Libertarian to be listed along with his Democratic and Republican opponents.

"The Overby Campaign organized the money bomb late last week, after the petition-drive effort to get Libertarian Party (LP) Candidate Lucas Overby’s name listed alongside the Democrat and Republican fell short by a heartbreaking 19 signatures.

"Overby for Congress campaign workers gathered over 1,600 petitions, and submitted in excess of 1,300. However, the Florida Division of Elections (DOE) Office in Tallahassee only approved 1,153; Overby needed 1,172 to earn ballot access."

Read more: http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/libertarian-party-rallies-massive-fundraising-to-get-lucas-overby-on-ballot-90370/
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