Thomas Massie wins legal battle to stay on ballot

Judge dismisses lawsuit to remove Massie from primary ballot | Washington Times | Kerry Picket"

March 15, 2024 - "A Kentucky judge dismissed a lawsuit against Rep. Thomas Massie by his primary opponent who claimed the GOP congressman did not qualify for the primary ballot. Lewis County Circuit Judge Brian C. McCloud ruled against Republican candidate Eric Deters, who said in a Feb. 22 suit that T.J. Roberts, one of two witnesses who signed Mr. Massie‘s candidate filing form did not meet the district’s residency requirements....

Thomas Massie in 2018. Wikimedia Commons.

"Kentucky law requires ballot filings to be witnessed by two people who live in the same district as the candidate and are registered with the same political party as the candidate. Mr. Deters said Mr. Roberts‘ permanent address was not clearly established when he witnessed the candidate’s filing because he had temporarily relocated while his home, which was destroyed by fire, was being rebuilt.

"In his ruling, Judge McCloud said state law prohibits stripping voters of their residency status when they live outside the county or precinct temporarily. 'It is clear from the evidence Mr. Roberts intention was to continue to reside at his permanent address,' he said....

"In the ballot paperwork, Mr. Roberts listed a permanent address in Burlington in Mr. Massie’s district, though the home was later destroyed by fire.... Roberts testified that while his home was being rebuilt, he temporarily lived at two different addresses within the district and returned to his newly rebuilt home on Jan. 11. 

"He also said he was advised by the Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office to list his permanent legal address on the paperwork.

"After the case [was] dismissed, Mr. Massie said he was 'glad this frivolous lawsuit is behind us'.... Massie also filed a motion for sanctions against Mr. Deters, a suspended attorney and 2023 gubernatorial candidate known for filing similar lawsuits against other political candidates. Mr. Massie‘s motion would prohibit him from filing future pro se court action without judicial screening, but Mr. McCloud did not enter a ruling Friday on the motion.

"Mr. Deters said he plans to appeal the dismissal. 'Imagine not being allowed to cross-examine witnesses who sign affidavits. Not at a deposition. Not at a hearing,' he said on X. 'That just happened in my case against Thomas Massie. I will appeal immediately. I have made a strong record.'"

Read more: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/mar/15/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-to-remove-thomas-massie-fr/

Primary foe trying to remove Massie from ballot

A primary opponent has filed suit to have libertarian Republican congressman Thomas Massie removed from this year's ballot. 

Ruling on Deters-Massie lawsuit expected March 15 | LINKnky | Rebecca Hanchett:

March 1, 2024 - "A Lewis circuit court judge is expected to rule March 15 on a motion tied to U.S. congressman Thomas Massie’s qualification for reelection amid a legal challenge from primary opponent Eric Deters.... Deters — a former Northern Kentucky attorney representing himself in the case — filed a lawsuit challenging Massie’s qualification for reelection back on Feb. 22.... 

Thomas Massie in 2018. Wikimedia Commons.

"Deters, a 2023 Kentucky gubernatorial candidate who is running against Massie for Congress, says in the Feb. 22 suit that Massie is not qualified to run this year based largely on residency questions surrounding current state House District 66 candidate TJ Roberts – one of two witnesses to Massie’s Dec. 18 candidate filing in Frankfort. 

"Deters’ lawsuit claims that Roberts – whose home on East Bend Road in Burlington was destroyed by fire early last year, but has since been rebuilt – was not living at that address last year when he listed it as his permanent address as a witness to Massie’s filing on Dec. 18.... "

Deters claims Roberts’ residency in the district was uncertain when Roberts witnessed Massie’s filing on Dec. 18. His lawsuit asks the court to throw out Massie’s candidacy based largely on that claim. Deters himself filed to run against Massie in this year’s congressional primary Jan. 5. 

"Massie responded to Deters in a Feb. 26 motion, asking the court to rule in his favor based in part on a Feb. 26 affidavit from Roberts. In the affidavit, Roberts gave sworn testimony that the East Bend Road address is his permanent address.... According to the motion, Roberts stayed with his mother temporarily at her home in Walton after the fire through mid June 2023. From that point to Jan. 10, 2024, Roberts testified that he stayed temporarily at a residence on Torrid Street in Burlington (also in the 4th District and 66th House District) until moving to a rebuilt home at the permanent East Bend Road address on Jan. 11, 2024. Allstate insurance company paid for temporary living arrangements on Torrid Street during reconstruction of Roberts’ home, the motion reads. 

"While living temporarily elsewhere in the district, the motion clarifies however that Roberts returned to the East Bend Road address 'every single day in November, December, 2023 and January, 2024 to check mail, to feed the animals (on the property), to check on construction progress, and to ensure that heat was provided to the residence during cold weather.' The motion goes on to say Roberts was advised by the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office to list his permanent legal address 'and not any temporary address' on both his witness signature for Massie and on Roberts’ own candidate filing dated Jan. 5.... 

"A ruling from Judge McCloud on Massie’s motion to prohibit Deters from filing future pro se court action without judicial screening is not expected March 15, said Wiest.... On Feb. 26, Massie filed the motion, saying Deters’ Feb. 22 lawsuit meets legal standards for sanctions under existing case law and civil law.... According to the motion, Deters has 'a history of filing frivolous and self-serving actions' and 'his prior history of vexatiously challenging another opponents’ residence'.... Also cited in the motion is Deters’ 2023 lawsuit challenging the residency of last year’s gubernatorial rival Kelly Craft. It says the challenge was made 'not to adjudicate an issue but instead to garner press coverage.' That case was dismissed by Fayette Circuit Court Judge Lucy A. VanMeter last May. 

"On Friday Deters filed a motion to strike Massie’s move for sanctions. He provided a statement to LINK Friday evening, published in part below: 'My only comment is that I will be filing my response  to their motion and I believe Thomas Massie out of 435 Congressional Members is going to regret being more careful choosing is (sic) witness to his nominating position.'"

Read more: https://linknky.com/news/2024/03/01/massie-reelection-challenge-deters/

Libertarian Burt elected to Wyoming state House

Libertarian Candidate Marshall Burt Wins Wyoming State House Race | Reason - Brian Doherty: 

November 4, 2020 - "The Libertarian Party (L.P.) had high hopes for a win in the Wyoming state House in two different races — and one of them came through. Marshall Burt has won in District 39 against Democrat Stan Blake, 1,696 to 1,420, according to Apollo Pazell, who was running the L.P.'s campaigns in the state. This is only the fifth time the L.P. has won a state legislative seat with a candidate running only under the Libertarian label. 

"In Wyoming's House District 55, Bethany Baldes, who in 2018 lost a state House race against an incumbent GOP majority leader by only 53 votes, lost to Republican Ember Oakley by only 32 votes, 2,058 to 2,026.

"In other L.P. races of note around America, Donald Rainwater, in a three-way race for governor of Indiana, has earned 13.1 percent of the vote with well over 90 percent of the results in. That is right in line with polling from last month, even though third-party results tend to fall precipitously from earlier polls when actual votes are cast. Rainwater came in ahead of Democrat Woody Myers in nearly two dozen counties around the state. Republican incumbent Eric Holcomb won reelection.

"In Arkansas, with 81 percent of the vote counted, the L.P.'s Ricky Harrington got 33.3 percent in his race to dethrone Republican Sen. Tom Cotton. (No Democrat was on the ballot.) Harrington won outright in two counties. In Pulaski County, which contains the state capitol of Little Rock, Harrington leads Cotton 59 percent to 41 percent.

"In Kentucky's Senate race, which Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell won with 58 percent of the vote, Libertarian Brad Barron got 4 percent while losing Democrat Amy McGrath earned 38 percent.

"In Montana, L.P. gubernatorial candidate Lyman Bishop currently has around 3.5 percent with about 52 percent of the votes counted. That's more than 10,000 votes in a race where the declared winner — Republican Greg Gianforte — is presently ahead of Democrat Mike Cooney by about that many votes."

Read more: https://reason.com/2020/11/04/libertarian-candidate-marshall-burt-wins-wyoming-state-house-race/

Dem PAC spends $1M on Libertarian in Kentucky

Dems Boost Libertarian in Kentucky in Hail Mary to Defeat McConnell | Washington Free Beacon - Collin Anderson:

"October 26, 2020 - "A liberal PAC is spending more than $1 million to bolster Kentucky's Libertarian Party nominee in a last-ditch attempt to funnel votes away from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R.). Ditch Mitch Fund, an anti-McConnell PAC founded by national liberal operatives, has ... spen[t] more than $10 million on ads slamming McConnell and championing Democratic nominee Amy McGrath. But in the closing days of the campaign, Ditch Mitch Fund is instead spending big to sing the praises of Libertarian candidate Brad Barron.

"The move is part of a larger liberal strategy to peel votes away from red-state Republicans by putting substantial funds behind little-known third-party candidates. One anti-McConnell super PAC — Fire Mitch Save America — has spent more than $250,000 on pro-Barron mailers in October....

"Federal Election Commission filings show that Ditch Mitch Fund launched an affiliate PAC called True Kentucky Patriots on October 13. Just days later, the group pushed back on reports that it was pulling its TV ads in the race's final two weeks, instead saying it was 'simply adjusting and moving around' the ad buys. True Kentucky Patriots went on to report more than $300,000 spent on TV, radio, and digital spots that call Barron 'Kentucky's true conservative for U.S. Senate.' According to ad-buying tracker Advertising Analytics, the total ad blitz is worth more than $1 million....

"The ad campaign dwarfs Barron's own spending in the race. The third-party candidate has disbursed less than $17,000 as of June 30 and has failed to file the last two required FEC reports.

"McGrath has personally boosted Barron throughout her bid to unseat McConnell. The Democrat in August invited Barron to join three proposed debates against McConnell 'so Kentuckians can hear from all of the candidates on the ballot.' She later retreated from an attempt to reject any debate invitations that excluded Barron, facing McConnell one-on-one in October. McGrath's campaign, which has denounced 'excessive money in politics,' also encouraged donors to contribute to Fire Mitch Save America in January.... 

"Ditch Mitch Fund has close ties to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), having raised more than $24,000 from Schumer's Senate Majority PAC, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. True Kentucky Patriots has paid Washington, D.C.-based advertising firm Beacon Media thousands for its ads boosting Barron — the firm has also received more than $25,000 from the Nancy Pelosi-affiliated House Majority PAC since 2018."

Read more: https://freebeacon.com/2020-election/dems-boost-libertarian-in-kentucky-in-hail-mary-to-defeat-mcconnell/

KY Libertarians defeat early candidate deadline

Libertarians Win Fight Against Kentucky on Voting - Kevin Koeninger, Courthouse New Service:

January 23, 2020 - "A change to the deadline for independent political candidates to register for elections signed is unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. Kentucky House Bill 114, signed into law by former Governor Matt Bevin in March 2019, changed the deadline for state and local candidates to declare their candidacy from April 1 to the last Tuesday in January.

" The law was made retroactive to include 2019, and prevented several Libertarian candidates from filing their statements of candidacy with the board of elections. The candidates were informed by former Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes they could not be placed on the ballot without a court order, so they filed a federal suit, joined by the Kentucky Libertarian Party....

"By May 2019, the local defendants and the board of elections had entered into consent orders that said they would not defend the legislation and would be bound by any decision made by the federal court. The only board member to opt out of the consent order was Katrina Fitzgerald, who defended the filing deadline on her own before the Wednesday ruling.

"U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman sided with the Libertarians and granted their motion for summary judgment, finding the early registration requirement unconstitutional. Bertelsman credited lay and expert testimony provided by the candidates, and determined the early deadline 'creates numerous serious problems for would-be independent candidates. Among those problems were the difficulty of organizing a campaign during the holiday season, and attempting to recruit candidates so far in advance of the election....

"Bertelsman cited the 1990 Fourth Circuit ruling in Cromer v. State of South Carolina, which dealt with a similar early deadline. The court in Cromer held that the problem with the deadline 'is in having to make the draconian decision at a time when a rational basis for making it does not exist. At this time the party candidates have not been chosen, and even the identity of those who may become candidates may not be known. The election itself is seven months of unfolding events away.' Bertelsman found that Kentucky’s early deadline was just as burdensome as the one in Cromer.

"Fitzgerald ... argued that the law advanced the governmental interest of making voters aware of candidates as early as possible and promoting 'voter education,' but Bertelsman ... cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1983 ruling in Anderson v. Celebrezze, in which it rejected voter education as a justification for early filing deadlines for independent candidates.

"Bertelsman’s ruling affected only the filing deadline portion of HB 114 and left other parts of the legislation untouched, including changes to the board of elections. One change designated the secretary of state as a nonvoting member of the board of elections, which prevents the secretary from serving as chairman of the board. Previously, the secretary was automatically named the chairman of the state Board of Elections."

Read more: https://www.courthousenews.com/libertarians-win-fight-against-kentucky-on-voting/
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Massie may also have 2020 primary challenger

Kentucky Republican Massie may be challenged in 2020 primary election - Philip M. Bailey, Louisville Courier-Journal:

July 3, 2019 - "U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie may be a darling among libertarians and constitutional conservatives, but the Kentucky Republican is the target of some who are actively recruiting a primary challenger for 2020.

"Two independent sources with knowledge of campaign discussions say state Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, is being groomed for a possible bid against the congressman, who has gained notoriety for opposing bipartisan measures big and small. Moser acknowledged in an interview with the Courier Journal that she's been approached by national party figures about taking on Massie in next year's Republican primary....

"The two sources, who requested anonymity, told the Courier Journal that U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who has made putting more women in Congress a personal passion, was among those looking for a challenger for Massie. But a Stefanik spokeswoman ... said Stefanik's group, Elevate PAC, 'has a firm policy of not recruiting against or endorsing against Republican incumbents.'

"Moser declined to comment when asked if Stefanik was among those who had approached her about running next year. She added that Massie is well liked, but that many constituents want a less ideological representative in Washington....

"In May, Massie gained national attention for temporarily blocking a $19 billion disaster relief plan before it ultimately passed.... 'Certainly, it was shocking to me that he was a 'no' vote on disaster relief,' Moser said.... Moser also cited Massie being among the 26 members who three years ago voted against the 21st Century CURES Act, which directed $6.3 billion to speed up drug treatment, as one of the troubling things about the congressman's record.

"If Moser were to run, it would set up an interesting primary, pitting Kentucky's grassroots conservatives against the GOP establishment. 'The tea party folks in the 4th Congressional District understand that Kim Moser is not the constitutional conservative Congressman Thomas Massie is,' said Scott Hofstra, a spokesman for the United Kentucky Tea Party....

"Massie, who was affiliated with the tea party movement, assumed office in 2012.... He has easily defeated every Democratic opponent by more than 30 percentage points in the four general elections since. But there is some speculation that he could be vulnerable in a primary election....

"The conservative activists who helped send Massie to Washington seven years ago, however, remain fiercely loyal. 'Congressman Massie doesn't go with the status quo and doesn't play into party politics,' said Stacie Earl, a Florence conservative activist who ran for state House in 2018. 'Republicans have always tried to get someone against him [but] I don't see Moser or anyone ... as a credible challenger'.... Hofstra ...said ... 'Congressman Massie is the only representative from Kentucky who is willing to buck his own leadership to support the constitution and the citizens."

Read more: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2019/07/03/kentucky-primary-election-2020-representative-thomas-massie-may-have-challenger/1581919001/

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Kentucky Libertarian makes governor's ballot

Kentucky governor's race 2019: Libertarian candidate joins - Billy Kobin, Louisville Courier-Journal:

May 14, 2019 - "After a federal judge temporarily blocked a new section of a state law related to filing deadlines, a Libertarian Party candidate has officially joined the 2019 race to become Kentucky's next governor.

John Hicks officially became a candidate Monday, according to the Kentucky Secretary of State's office.

"Hicks is a Louisville native and information technology consultant who made a bid to represent the 43rd District in the Kentucky House of Representatives in November. He lost the race to Democrat Charles Booker. Hicks, 72, is ... a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam, and he previously taught in Jefferson County Public Schools and published a community newspaper in Fern Creek.

"The Libertarian candidate's running mate is Ann Cormican, a native of Paris, Kentucky, who works at the Toyota Kentucky manufacturing facility in Georgetown. Cormican also made an unsuccessful bid last November to represent the 72nd District in the Kentucky House of Representatives....

"State legislators approved a measure, House Bill 114, in March that retroactively moved up the filing deadline for third-party and independent candidates from April 1 to January 11. Hicks said he had filed his candidacy before April 1 but after the January deadline.

"The Libertarian Party of Kentucky took the matter to federal court, arguing the measure denied its candidates access to the statewide ballot in 2019. On May 9, a U.S. District Court judge in Covington agreed and temporarily blocked the section of the state law related to filing deadlines....

"Hicks and Cormican already won the Libertarian Party's state primary back in March, meaning they will appear on ballots in November. (The Libertarian Party is not included in the May 21 primary involving Republican and Democratic candidates.)"

Read more: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/elections/kentucky/2019/05/14/kentucky-governors-race-2019-libertarian-candidate-joins/3664867002/

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Paul amendment allows sale of federal forest land

Sen. Rand Paul Proposes Changes To Natural Resources Management Act | LEX18.com - Alexia Waters:

February 12, 2019 - "Senator Rand Paul introduced two Kentucky-specific amendments to a bill that covers issues affecting federal lands.

"It’s the Natural Resources Management Act he’s proposing changes to and if passed, Kentuckians would see changes to two outdoor attractions. The senator says these changes would help increase tourism and support new economic growth in counties around Daniel Boone National Forest and the Lake Cumberland area.

"His amendments would give public access to waterways in the Daniel Boone National Forest in several counties. This would allow docks, boat slips, and marinas.

"The senator’s other proposed change would allow parts of the forest to be sold. He said it’s aiming at developing land in the national forest, which would allow the sale of land at some points along U.S. Highway 27.

"Opponents of the bill say there’s no limitations to how much land can be sold and there’s no public input.... Opponents also say there are endangered species in the area that may be harmed and they’re urging people to call legislators....

"Paul says the federal government should not stand in the way of Kentuckians accessing their own natural resources."

Read more: https://lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/2019/02/12/sen-rand-paul-proposes-changes-to-natural-resources-management-act/
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Libertarians end year with 38-state ballot access

The 2016 Election's Biggest Winner: Gary Johnson and The Libertarian Party? - IVN.us - W.E. Messamore:

November 12, 2016 - "The Libertarian Party is now an officially recognized party for the next election in [38] states, the highest ever for the burgeoning third party. Here’s a breakdown of the gains state by state from the LP’s website:

• The Texas LP retained ballot access with Railroad Commission candidate Mark Miller receiving over 5 percent. The party would have had to collect over 80,000 signatures to get back on the ballot if no statewide candidate received 5 percent. This will save the party approximately $220,000 in petitioning cost.
• The LP retained ballot access in North Carolina for four years with Gary Johnson and the gubernatorial candidate, Lon Cecil, each getting over 2 percent. The party would have had to collect over 100,000 signatures to get back on the ballot if neither the presidential nor gubernatorial candidate got 2 percent, saving the party approximately $250,000 in petitioning cost.
• Iowa and Kentucky LPs are recognized parties for the first time, with Gary Johnson getting over 2 percent in both states.
• The New Hampshire LP is a recognized party for the first time in two decades due to gubernatorial candidate Max Abramson getting over 4 percent.
• The DC party is recognized for the second time ever, with candidate for Delegate to the US House of Representatives Martin Moulton getting over 17,000 votes.
• The LP retained ballot access in North Dakota, with Gary Johnson getting over 6 percent.
• In Connecticut, Libertarian Dan Reale for US House in the second congressional district, Richard Lion for US Senate, and Gary Johnson for President all received over one percent of the vote. As a result, the party will not have to petition in these races in the next election.
• Massachusetts’ LP is a recognized party again, with Gary Johnson getting over 3 percent.
• West Virginia’s LP retained ballot access for four years due to David Moran receiving over 2 percent in his race for governor.

"Instant ballot access in these states’ next election, just like the Republican and Democratic parties get, is a coveted status that will save the Libertarian Party a small fortune in money, time, and energy previously wasted on petitioning efforts just to get on the ballot.

"That’s resources that can go toward more fundraising, registering more voters, campaign ads, poaching disaffected voters from the two major parties, and making the case for Libertarian policies to unaffiliated independent voters."

Read more: http://ivn.us/2016/11/12/2016-elections-biggest-winner-gary-johnson-libertarian-party/
'via Blog this'

Paul's priority is repealing federal regulations

Rand Paul: Obama’s Overregulation Won Trump The Election | The Daily Caller - Michael Bastach:

November 9, 2016 - "Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul credited real estate mogul Donald Trump’s presidential win Wednesday morning, at least in part, to the Obama administration’s regulatory onslaught.

"'It’s in reaction to these regulations,' Paul told Fox News, referencing in particular federal regulations on the coal industry — a major talking point of the Trump campaign.... Paul, who held onto his Senate seat in a landslide victory against Lexington’s Democratic Mayor Jim Gray ... also laid out a goal to put legislation in front of Trump to repeal at least half a dozen regulations in his first week in the oval office.  

"Paul beat Gray by a 53 to 43 percent margin, and Trump went on to win Kentucky’s eight electoral votes. Kentucky was one of the first states media outlets called for Trump on Tuesday night.

"Trump promised Kentuckians he’d do all he could to revitalize the coal industry. Kentucky’s coal sector has been one of the hardest hit from cheap natural gas and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations."

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2016/11/09/rand-paul-obamas-overregulation-won-trump-the-election/


Rand Paul: ‘We’re going to spend the first month passing the repeal of Obama regulations’ - The Washington Post - Peter Holley:

 November 9, 2016 - "'I have a prediction to make this morning,' [Rand Paul] said during an appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe Wednesday morning. 'I think were going to spend the first month passing the repeal of Obama regulations.... This is something I’m excited to do,' he added.

"Paul called the election 'a big rebuke' of the Obama administrations 'regulatory war' on business. He said the Obama administration was made up of 'extremist academics' who don’t understand business.

"During his short appearance, Paul didn’t specify what regulations congressional Republicans would seek to repeal.

"'I think you’re going to find that were going to repeal a half dozen or so of regulations that are killing jobs and making us less competitive with the rest of the world,' he noted, adding that he didn’t expect 'resistance' from Trump when it comes loosening regulations."

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2016/live-updates/general-election/real-time-updates-on-the-2016-election-voting-and-race-results/rand-paul-were-going-to-spend-the-first-month-passing-the-repeal-of-obama-regulations/
'via Blog this'

KY Libertarian, Constitution parties sue for ballot status

Libertarian Party of Kentucky, and Constitution Party of Kentucky, File Lawsuit on Definition of “Party” | Ballot Access News - Richard Winger:

December 4, 2015 - "On December 4, the Libertarian Party and the Constitution Party filed a lawsuit against the Kentucky definition of a qualified party. The case is Libertarian Party of Kentucky v Grimes, e.d. 3:15cv-86.

"Kentucky is the only state in which it is impossible for a party to ever be ballot-qualified until it polls a particular share of the vote for President. The law requires 2% for President. No other index of support matters. Kentucky is one of only five states in which the only ballot-qualified parties since November 2000 have been the Democratic and Republican Parties. The others are New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.... In the last 100 years, only four parties have met the Kentucky 2% presidential vote test....

"History shows that voters are far more likely to support a party, other than the Democratic and Republican Parties, for office other than President. The Libertarian Party of Kentucky polled 3.08% for U.S. Senate in 2014, but that doesn’t count. Also it has almost 5,000 registered members, but that doesn’t count either."

Read more: http://ballot-access.org/2015/12/04/libertarian-party-of-kentucky-and-constitution-party-of-kentucky-file-lawsuit-on-definition-of-party/
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KY GOP OK's Paul's plan for presidential caucus

Kentucky GOP OKs Caucus; Allows Rand Paul to Seek 2 Offices - ABC News - Adam Beam, Associated Press:

August 20, 2015 - The Kentucky Republican Party has agreed to hold a presidential caucus for Rand Paul - but only if he shows them the money.

"The party's executive committee approved a proposal on Saturday to hold a presidential caucus on March 5. The plan would let Paul run for president and re-election to his Senate seat at the same time without violating state law that bans candidates from appearing on the ballot twice in the same election.

"But the caucus could cost as much as $500,000, and the Republican Party has less than $170,000 in cash on hand according to its latest disclosure report....

"Saturday, after a more than four hour meeting ... Republicans agreed to approve the caucus on one condition: The state party had to have $250,000 in its bank account by Sept. 18 specifically reserved for caucus expenses. If the money is not there by the deadline, the caucus would be canceled and Kentucky would have its regularly scheduled primary.

"Paul told reporters after the vote he was relieved, adding that getting the required two-thirds majority to approve the caucus was not easy....

"State law bans candidates from appearing on the ballot twice in the same election. Paul tried without success to convince the state legislature to change the law. A presidential caucus allows voters to vote for Paul for president on March 5 and then vote for him again for re-election to his Senate seat during the primary election on May 17.

"Saturday's vote passed 111-36, avoiding a potential embarrassment to Paul's presidential campaign."

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/kentucky-gop-oks-caucus-rand-paul-presidential-run-33251268
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Kentucky Libertarian kept out of Senate debate

Oligarchy Wins, Kentucky Loses, Libertarian Candidate Says of Being Excluded from Senate Debate | The River City News:

October 13, 2014 - "Mitch McConnell and Alison Lundergan Grimes will face each other in a televised debate on Monday evening.... Absent will be the third candidate seeking the office: Libertarian David Patterson.

"A judge ruled against Patterson's emergency injunction filed by the Libertarian Party of Kentucky and the campaign. Patterson's campaign said that an open records request revealed that KET 'continually shifted criteria for inclusion' in the debate, to ensure that the Libertarian would not be part of it.

"'I'm running the best campaign that I can. I don't have $50M worth of out-of-state special interest money. My campaign has always been about regular Kentuckians, and that's who has lost today,' Patterson said in a statement on Sunday. 'KET has testified under oath that their mission and values statements don't apply to the decisions they make. They intend to apply a financial threshold to all future criteria. That means you must be rich or have rich friends to even stand a chance. Kentuckians now have their hard-earned tax dollars being used to deprive them of knowing their options when they walk into the ballot box.'

"'It is extremely disappointing that the court has said state entities can re-write the rules in the middle of the game,' said Libertarian Party of Kentucky Chairman Ken Moellman. 'KET testified under oath that Grimes and McConnell were invited without any criteria, while David Patterson was scrutinized under an ever-increasing set of criteria. This isn't even about Libertarians, it's everyone who's not part of the Old Parties. The First Amendment now only applies to the "chosen ones". Welcome to the illusion of choice. Welcome to the oligarchy.'"

Read more: http://rcnky.com/articles/2014/10/13/oligarchy-wins-kentucky-loses-libertarian-candidate-says-being-excluded-senate
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Kentucky Libertarian thrown off ballot

Judge throws Libertarian off ballot - Scott Wartman, Cincinnati.com:

August 23, 2014 - "It turned out that county attorneys need to be practicing attorneys after all.

"That's how Circuit Court Judge Gregory Bartlett ruled Friday afternoon when he threw a Libertarian candidate for Boone County attorney off the November ballot.

"Libertarian Joseph Szeremet is one of two Libertarian candidates in Northern Kentucky fighting to stay on the ballot in a year when the Libertarians have put six candidates on local ballots in Northern Kentucky.

"In the other case, Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summe filed suit against her Libertarian challenger, Christopher Robinson, alleging he hasn't lived in Kentucky long enough to qualify to run for office.

"That case will have a hearing in Kenton County Circuit Court next Friday....

"The judge commended Szeremet on his interest in running for public office but called his candidacy 'an absurdity.'

"Szeremet was a licensed attorney for 32 years in Michigan but retired 10 years ago and isn't licensed in Kentucky....

"Szeremet said Bartlett misconstrued the constitution, which states that a county attorney should be a practicing attorney for two years. Szeremet interpreted that as any two years and not necessarily the current two years. He doesn't know if he'll appeal.

 "'Frankly I'm losing interest, because I'm by myself,' Szeremet said. 'I don't have a law firm or anything like that. But I have time. I'm not going to necessarily be on the ballot, but I may take the issue up just to prove him wrong.'"

Read more: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/08/22/lawsuits-threaten-kick-two-nky-libertarians-ballot/14442423/
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Libertarian makes U.S. Senate ballot in Kentucky

Kentucky Tea Party Activist on Senate Race: 'Majority of Our Group Will Vote for the Libertarian' - Michael Patrick Leahy, Big Government, Breitbart.com:

August 12, 2014 - "David Patterson, the Libertarian Party's nominee for U.S. Senate in Kentucky, confirmed on Tuesday to the Fox Business Network that Secretary of State Allison Lundergan Grimes has certified his signatures, and he will be included on the ballot in November.

"Grimes is also the Democratic challenger to incumbent Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and stands to benefit from Patterson's inclusion on the ballot....

"Patterson emphasized that his entry into the race significantly increases the number of undecided voters, a point first highlighted in a Breitbart News article. '[W]hether I am in the race or not, the incumbent is two points ahead of the Democratic challenger,' Patterson said, referring to a recent Bluegrass Poll. '[W]hen I am included, the undecided vote swells from about 8 percent to 13 percent"....

"Tea Partiers in Kentucky, angry at McConnell's history of treating them poorly and stung by his crushing defeat of their endorsed candidate, Matt Bevin, in the May Republican primary, responded positively to the news that Patterson had qualified for the November ballot.

"'The Kentucky Tea Parties are not going to endorse or work for any of the candidates," Scott Hofstra, a spokesperson for the United Kentucky Tea Party, told Breitbart News. 'The large majority of our group will probably vote for Patterson, the Libertarian," Hofstra added. 'Estimates are that he will take 7-9% of votes. Probably hurt McConnell more than Grimes.'

"A new poll released on Tuesday by Public Policy Polling (PPP) confirms Hofstra's assessment."

Read more: http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/08/12/Kentucky-Tea-Party-Activist-on-Senate-Race-Majority-of-Our-Group-Will-Vote-for-the-Libertarian
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Kentucky LP running most candidates in a decade

Libertarian Party backing most candidates in 10 years - Cindy Schroeder, Cincinnati Enquirer:

April 6, 2014 - "The Libertarian Party of Kentucky has 17 candidates running for public office in November’s election, including nine in Northern Kentucky, the most candidates that party’s had in a decade.

"Most of the Northern Kentucky Libertarians are seeking office in Boone County, where six filed a statement of candidacy to run by Tuesday’s deadline.

"Libertarianism holds that a person should be free to live as that person chooses, accepting responsibility for their own actions, without forcibly effecting the lives of others.

"'I would have liked to have seen more candidates statewide, but we had a good turnout in Northern Kentucky,' said Pendleton County resident Ken Moellman, state executive committee chair for the Libertarian Party of Kentucky. 'The leadership up here has done a great job (recruiting candidates).'"

Read more: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/northern-ky/2014/04/06/libertarian-kentucky-election-candidates-ken-moellman/7364823/
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Rand Paul backs voting rights for ex-convicts in Kentucky

Rand Paul testifies on felon voting rights in Kentucky - Emma Roller, Weigel, Slate:

February 19, 2014 - "Sen. Rand Paul brought his national crusade against the war on drugs back to his home state, giving testimony before the Kentucky state senate in favor of an amendment to restore voting rights to felons after they get out of prison.

"The amendment, which state Republicans have forestalled for years, looks like it may finally pass. Today, only Kentucky and Virginia permanently strip felons of their voting rights. Most states require a probationary period before felons can vote again, but states like Iowa and Florida have such punitive laws that they may as well be permanent. Only Maine and Vermont have no restrictions on felons voting, including when they are still in prison."

"In his testimony, Paul gave a fact-based and level-headed critique of mandatory minimums, the war on drugs, and the American justice system writ large—it could have doubled as a David Simon blog post. A few samples:

* 'When you look at those who are being deprived of voting, I think it is disproportionately people of color.'

* 'Kids do make mistakes: white kids, black kids, brown kids. But when you look at the prison population, three-quarters are black or brown....

* "Not only is the incarceration unfair...but then they get out and their voting rights are impaired."

Read more: http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2014/02/19/rand_paul_testifies_on_felon_voting_rights_in_kentucky.html
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Libertarian candidate enters Kentucky Senate race

Libertarian candidate enters Senate race in Ky. - Associated Press - WHAS-TV:

August 26, 2013 - "Libertarian David Patterson has announced his intention to run for U.S. Senate in Kentucky.

"A 42-year-old Harrodsburg police officer, Patterson said in a statement that he's making a bid to unseat Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell because voters are looking for an alternative.

"Ken Moellman, chairman of the Libertarian Party's state executive committee, said he's pleased Patterson wanted to get into the race. Patterson will seek the party's nomination in an internal primary on March 1.

http://www.whas11.com/community/blogs/political-blog/UN-Syria-team-says-vehicle-shot-at-by-snipers-221147401.html

Libertarian Party of Kentucky holding annual convention this weekend

Libertarian Party of Kentucky Holding Annual Convention This Weekend | WFPL - Philip M. Bailey:

March 1, 2013 - "The Libertarian Party of Kentucky is gathering in Bowling Green this weekend for its annual convention.

"Last year, Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson received less than one percent of the vote in Kentucky and the party has no officeholders at the state or federal level.

"But the party has seen a 30 percent increase in registration over the past nine months, and recently opened up new chapters in Boone and Campbell county.

"Ken Moellman is a former libertarian candidate for state treasurer and is chairing the convention. He says reaching local voters is becoming equally important to the party, and more candidates will be running for those offices in the coming "

Read more: http://www.wfpl.org/post/libertarian-party-kentucky-holding-annual-convention-weekend
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Tea party groups, libertarian Super Pac vow to challenge McConnell re-election bid

Tea party groups, libertarian Super Pac vow to challenge McConnell re-election bid | WHAS11.com Louisville:

January 23, 2013 - "LOUISVILLE, Ky (WHAS11) -- With speculation rising about actress Ashley Judd challenging U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) in the 2014 general election as a Democrat, Kentucky's senior senator is also hearing some footsteps from the right.

"The leader of a coalition of 14 Kentucky tea party groups, United Kentucky Tea Party,  said Wednesday he is considering mounting a primary challenge against McConnell.... Now, the libertarian Super Pac Liberty for All, which spent $700,000 of Texas college student John Ramsey's inheritance to help elect Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie last year, is also vowing to unseat McConnell.

Read more: http://www.whas11.com/news/local/McConnell-catching-heat-after-cooperating-with-Obama-on-fiscal-cliff-sweetheart-deal-188123551.html
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