George Brown is the Libertarian candidate in the upcoming May Special Election to fill a vacant seat in the Pennsylvania state legislature. And to listen to him, there are a number of reasons why this race is special. Not only isn’t there an entrenched incumbent to dislodge from office, but the district includes the boyhood home of the legendary libertarian and former Texas Congressman Ron Paul.
Read more here: PA Libertarian in bid for open State Rep seat
10 comments:
Please tell us more, George! And good luck!
George Brown has a legitimate shot at winning the 42nd District seat, although it won't be easy.
The 42nd District encompasses more than Mt. Lebanon, but looking at vote distributions from the 2012 and 2011 general elections, and just for Mt. Lebanon, the outcome this May will likely ride on voter turnout and general dissatisfaction with the two "major" parties.
One should also not assume, as is sometimes done, that Libertarians only take votes away from Republicans. In the 2012 general election for PA Auditor General, Republican John Maher beat Democrat Eugene A. DePasquale - in Mt. Lebanon - by only 209 votes. Meanwhile, Libertarian candidate Betsey Elizabeth Summers gathered 717 Lebo votes - making her the "spoiler" in the election in favor of the Maher. Once again, these are Mt. Lebanon votes only.
Another interesting set of figures from 2012 came from Matt Smith's run for both PA Senate and PA House seats. Smith easily won both contests in Mt. Lebanon; but while 19,203 votes were cast in the Senate race out of 19,666 people voting, and Smith got 11,599 of them, his total vote count in the PA House race was 16,836 out of 17,178 votes cast, running unopposed. This means that 2,025 fewer people voted in the State House race than in the State Senate race. Now if one could recoup that difference and apply it in an "off year" election it may benefit Mr. Brown more than Mr. Miller. I guess we'll find out.
I did not look at Mr. Remely's chances because I don't think he has any.
Mr. Gideon's assumption is quite probably incorrect.
He assumes that since Summers garnered 717 votes and the result of Maher winning in Lebo by 209 votes means that she was the spoiler in favor of Maher over DePasquale.
However, it's possible--and highly likely--that she didn't spoil DePasquale's victory, but just lessened the margin of Maher's victory.
As an aside, it's probable that Summers cost Maher the statewide election. She had over 210,000 votes. Maher lost by just under 180,000 votes.
Mr. Brown is quoted in that article saying that Dormont is in the legislative district. That is not correct. He would be wise not to door knock there.
Will the league of Women Voters be sponsoring a debate or meet the candidates night?
With the recent news about corruption in Harrisburg on the turnpike commission and the soon to be started PAT audit could it be time for a change in politics as usual?
I'm with Gideon here I see this as a race between Miller and Brown. I can't imagine why any Lebo voter would even consider Remely for the House seat. Personally I can't think of one SB campaign pledge that he delivered on. If there is someone out there that can show me otherwise I'd be happy to listen.
Miller as a Commisioner was a pretty straight shooter and based on that history in my opinion he'd make a great representative. But he is a democrat and as such may have to vote with his party and freespending ways when he gets to Harrisburg. That gives me pause to at least hear Brown out.
Mr. Brown was obviously misquoted, it's nothing new when it comes to media coverage.
Remely is a joke, he's standing on the edge of yet another major tax increase decision here in Mt. Lebanon and spins his position as if he demonstrated great fiscal leadership. Sure, chiding thousands of residents who asked for some sanity on spending will get him far.
True republicans who aren't RINOs should vote for Brown.
I agree. This race is between Miller and Brown. I did not get the latest flyer from Remely, but someone did email me a copy. Pretty pathetic. Remely says he will fight to lower taxes. Uhhh, when? I am not seeing it on the school board. You can start any time now, Dan.
Elaine
Remely has a flyer?
If he proclaims he's for lower taxes perhaps he should have it tattooed on his forehead backwards so that when he looks in a mirror he'll be able to remember his promise!
In what year did Dan ever lower taxes? In what life time did he keep the high school anywhere close to the number he promised?
But, what is really outrageous is that the republican party, the party of lower taxes and smaller government selected this guy as their standard bearer in the house race.
And they wonder why they're now in the minority in MTL.
From the Examiner story:
"Not only isn’t there an entrenched incumbent to dislodge from office, but the district includes the boyhood home of the legendary libertarian and former Texas Congressman Ron Paul."
From the (dreaded) Wikipedia entry on the town of Green Tree:
"The town is the hometown of U.S. Congressman and 2012 Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul and Heroes star Zachary Quinto, both of whom were born in nearby Pittsburgh."
From the description of the 42nd State Representative District, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
"The 42nd Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Allegheny County and includes the following areas:
Bethel Park (PART)
Ward 03
Ward 05 [PART, Division 03]
Ward 06 [PART, Division 03]
Ward 07
Ward 08 [PART, Divisions 01 and 02]
Green Tree
Mt. Lebanon
Scott Township (PART)
Ward 03
Ward 04
Ward 06
Ward 07
Ward 08
Ward 09
Rosslyn Farms
Thornburg"
Now one might argue that perhaps the 42nd District had different boundaries back in the boyhood days of Ron Paul, but if the current information is true, then 1)Ron Paul was born in Green Tree; 2)the 42nd District encompasses Green Tree; 3)George Brown is running for the 42nd District seat - therefore one can easily deduce why this statement appears in the Examiner's story.
CORRECTION...
In mine of 11:27 AM I wrote, in part, "...then 1)Ron Paul was born in Green Tree;..." etc.
That should read...
"..Ron Paul's hometown was Green Tree;.." etc.
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