Posted on 03/13/2003 9:24:02 PM PST by Commie Basher
INCUMBENT LIBERTARIAN UNDER ATTACK!
An urgent message from Ron Crickenberger, National Libertarian Political Director
Dear Libertarian Compatriots,
Martin Howrylak, incumbent Libertarian City Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem of Troy, Michigan is facing vicious attacks from Republicans in his bid to retain his council seat.
This Libertarian needs our help right now if he is to stay in office.
And the election is April 7 -- only 3 weeks away.
In his first term Howrylak:
* Kept the campaign promise that brought him into office, and repealed the pension plan the council had voted itself. He then lead a charter amendment drive to prohibit such looting of taxpayers in the future.
* Fought construction of a $200 million civic center complex (the biggest issue of the current election)
* Got the property tax rate reduced (in a time of ubiquitous tax increase proposals)
* Created a voluntary association to raise money in support of the financially troubled, city-owned waterpark (as an alternative to additional tax subsidies)
Backing up Howrylak is one of the LP's "winningest" campaign management teams -- Barbara Goushaw, Fred Collins and Greg Dirasian. This is the same team that got Howrylak elected the first time, as well as winning Collins' own election to the Berkley City Council.
Then last year they managed David Eisenbacher's stunning Troy City Council victory, putting a second Libertarian on the city council of Michigan's 11th largest city!
Goushaw has provided campaign management training to Libertarians nationwide, and I personally consider her to be the LP's most competent campaign manager.
It should come as no surprise that Howrylak has been targeted for defeat by the major parties. His opponents in the race are the former mayor (a woman who, of course, has huge "name recognition" in the city), and the wife of the district's current state rep (thus, also entering the race with built-in name ID).
These two are running as a team, combining to defeat the upstart Libertarian. The state rep has activated his fund-raising apparatus and contacts for his wife's effort. He is even working the floor of the state house to secure endorsements.
What is of particular concern is the nature of the campaign being waged against Howrylak.
Although the race for Troy City Council is non-partisan, Howrylak's Libertarian Party membership is well known in the community. The opposition, unable to attack him based on his very successful track record of serving the interests of the residents of Troy, is instead specifically using his LP affiliation against him in this 70% Republican-base city.
This targeting, combined with their access to substantial resources, has significantly raised the costs of countering their attacks.
There are 84,000 registered voters in Troy, of which about 10,000 consistently vote in municipal elections. Howrylak is sticking to the issues -- campaigning on a message of personal and fiscal responsibility, targeted at those 10,000 voters. The campaign has already sent mailings to the absentee voters (who cast their ballots last week) and secured locations for over 500 lawn signs. A district-wide mailing to the non-absentee, likely-voter households went out this week.
To be sure, Howrylak does have one unaccustomed advantage for a Libertarian. He is the incumbent.
However, the opponents "teaming up" strategy of two women against one, lone Libertarian male, their built-in name recognition, and their major-party fundraising abilities mean that we must raise an additional $5000 to fund two more mailings to high propensity voters. Funds permitting we'll also use newspaper advertising to draw additional support from those registered voters in the city who have historically been less likely to participate in local elections.
The election is 3 weeks away, so time is critical. Please go to:
http://www.lp.org/contribute?prog=2003winraces&fund=2003-0045
right now and provide whatever you can to re-elect an incumbent Libertarian in one of Michigan's largest and most important cities.
If you would like to see the Howrylak team's efforts so far please feel free to review them at www.Troycouncil.org.
It is vitally important that Martin Howrylak retains his seat in order to demonstrate that:
1.) Libertarian ideas are supported by voters
2.) Libertarian Party membership is no impediment to winning election to public office.
In fact, we are very anxious that Howrylak once again be the top vote getter in the race. We have two Libertarians on the council now, and are working to bring a Libertarian majority to the council over the next few election cycles.
Martin winning again, and winning big, is critical to that eventual Libertarian majority.
Re-electing Libertarian incumbents is one of our party's top priorities. Arguably, it is second only to getting them elected in the first place. These local elected officials are the Libertarian "farm team" -- our best hope for future state and national, partisan electoral success.
It appears that our major-party opponents have come to the same realization. Their targeting of Howrylak for defeat has significantly raised the stakes -- and, consequently, the costs -- of maintaining our momentum.
Please be generous.
For Liberty,
Ron Crickenberger
Political Director
PS. Take two minutes to view the closing remarks of one his opponents at a televised candidate debate a few weeks ago: http://www.smallgov.org/liarliar/
I think you'll be outraged. Calm your nerves with a generous at: http://www.lp.org/contribute?prog=2003winraces&fund=2003-0045
Campaign Finance Law Disclaimer: In order to comply with Michigan campaign laws, the Libertarian National Committee is acting to collect donations for the Small Government Alliance, a registered Michigan independent political action committee that will make independent expenditures for Howrylak.
Many Libertarians are pro-war (check out Talk Radio Host Neal Boortz [http://www.boortz.com/]) in the fashion that they are pro-defense. They would prefer not to war, however, they recognize the need for defense, as Mr Boortz does.
The only ones causing Democrats to get success in the Senate are the Republicans.
1.) Libertarian ideas are supported by voters
2.) Libertarian Party membership is no impediment to winning election to public office.
It won't do either. All it will demonstrate is that this individual has some personal popularity or his opponents are unpopular, in some narrow little community.
I do not see any particular benefit nationally to the Libertarian Party, movement, or general principles, by having this guy reelected.
The Libertarian Party and much of the movement is wasting time running such campaigns for such little benefit.
Heheh - I like it. Makes me want to send a check to every GOP candidate running against one of the losers.
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