“Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”…. Galatians 6:9
Back in 2004, when the Libertarian Party was still new in these parts, the Wayne County party had three solid candidates for the county council seats that were up for election that year. Two were business managers, and one had worked in production in Wayne County for over 30 years. A couple of weeks before the election, one of the Democratic Party candidates for council was arrested for shoplifting cold medicine at a local drugstore.
When election day came, the Democratic candidate that had just been arrested received more votes than the 3 Libertarian candidates combined.
I don’t mind telling you, that made candidate recruitment a little tougher the next time around.
But recruit we did, and each election the LP’s vote totals increased, and our candidates became a little better versed in campaigning. Around the state, some candidates began to receive endorsements from service organizations, and even the FOP.
In 2008, The Libertarian candidate for Wayne County Commissioner, Cheryl Heacox, received the endorsement of the Palladium-Item over a seated Republican.
Earlier this month, over in Ohio, the Cleveland Plain Dealer endorsed Matthew Cantrell, the Libertarian candidate for State Treasurer.
This morning, the Indianapolis Star endorsed Chard Reid, the Libertarian candidate for Indiana District 5 of the U.S. House of Representatives. Over a seated Republican.
Of course, the endorsement didn’t produce a win for Cheryl, and I don’t know what effect it will have on Cantrell or Reid’s race, but it sure feels better than being ignored.
Or getting defeated by a shoplifter.