Election 2000 scorecard: 34 victories and counting
Party picks up eight more wins in late results
The number of Libertarians winning public office in November has jumped to 34, thanks to a flurry of late election results from around the country -- including a three-vote squeaker in California.
In addition to the 26 victories reported in the December 2000 issue of LP News, Libertarians were elected in West Virginia, Michigan, Iowa, and Idaho, reported LP Political Director Ron Crickenberger.
The new victories make Election 2000 the most successful presidential year ever for the party in terms of winning local office, he said.
"We may have fallen short in our goals for the presidential vote, but we exceeded all expectations in the number of local wins," said Crickenberger. "We elected five times as many Libertarians this year as we did in 1996, the last presidential election year. And we elected more people than all other third parties combined."
Additional Libertarian winners include:
Kate O'Brien, who emerged victorious in the year's closest race -- a three-vote nail-biter for the Rancho California.
After a lengthy recount, O'Brien captured the third and final open spot on the board, besting rival Jim Dantona by three votes, 17,310 (18.1%) to 17,307 (18.1%), reported the California LP. Her opponent, who spent over $20,000 on the race to O'Brien's zero dollars, didn't concede until December 11.
"There was no way that our opponent was going to make up the gap, [and he wasn't] willing to continue paying $1,200 per day for the count," said Aaron Starr, who coordinated the Libertarian recount-watching operation. "And they couldn't steal it from us because we managed to have enough volunteers to watch the process. This has been an amazing experience!
Richard K. Linville, who was elected to a four-year term as Gem County Prosecuting Attorney in Idaho. Linville is an attorney in Emmett, Idaho and a commercial fisherman on the Copper River in Alaska.
Jon Kueny, who picked up a seat on the Soil and Water Conservation Board (Group Four), in Pasco County, Florida in an unopposed race.
David Barron, who won an unopposed contest for Soil and Water Conservation Board (District Five), in Orange County, Florida
Robert Paty, elected to the post of Public Weigher in Nacogdoches County, Texas.
Ken Hearin, elected as a County Constable in Mobile County, Alabama.
Jerry Vines, elected as a County Constable in Blount County, Alabama.
Mike Ryan, who was elected to the Scott County Agricultural Extension District in Iowa. He won as a write-in in an unopposed race.
William Clem, who won re-election to the partisan position of Jefferson County Surveyor in West Virginia. He was unopposed, and won 5,790 votes.
Linda Strom, elected to the Lakeside Community Planning Area Board, San Diego, CA.
Charlie Lambert, elected to the post of Public Weigher in Hutchinson County, Texas.
In other election news, one Libertarian whose victory was reported last month is already out of a job.
In November, Clyde L. Garland was simultaneously elected as Public Weigher in Brazos County, Texas, and saw his position abolished.
"I ran on the grounds that the position should be abolished," said Garland. "Although no one has ran for or held this position for over 50 years, it was never officially abolished."
Voters heeded his wishes, passing -- with 76% of the vote -- a proposition to abolish the position.
"Congratulatio