The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania - Forum

Is anyone aware of any candidates that intend to run for specific offices this year?

Excuse me, I meant this May.

May is the primary elections, which applies only to the Republicans and Democrats.  Minor parties in PA don't go through the primary process.  So most of our candidates will be running in November, not May.  So far the local candidates I'm aware of include David Owens (borough council I think), Ken Krawchuk (Abington township commissioner), and Mark Rauterkus (Pittsburgh mayor).

This year however there are a few elections in May.  These are special elections to fill seats vacated by people who won higher offices in November.  Seats open include PA Senate districts 4 (parts of Philadelphia and Abington township in Montgomery County), 16 (the Lehigh valley and Allentown), and 42 (Pittsburgh).  We missed the deadline for 16, we're fielding Mark Rauterkus for 42, and Ken Krawchuk may run for 4.  We're still searching for another candidate for district 4 though.

Libertarian to run for Pennsylvania Senate in special
election.
For Immediate Release:

Rauterkus for State Senate
412-481-2540
mark04@Rauterkus.com
www.lppgh.org

December 20, 2004


Libertarian to run for Pennsylvania Senate in special
election.

By Daniel Cloud, editor, www.lp.org

Mark Rauterkus, a Libertarian activist in Pittsburgh, Pa.,
has been nominated to run for the state Senate in an
upcoming special election.

The Democrat incumbent in District 42, Sen. Jack Wagner, was
elected state auditor general in November, and will resign
his Senate post on Jan. 18.

Rauterkus was nominated to run for the position -- and was
unanimously approved -- at the Dec. 12 meeting of the
Pennsylvania Libertarian Party's Allegheny County Committee.
This will be the highest profile race in Pennsylvania in
2005, said Tim Crowley, chairman of the Allegheny County LP.

"Pennsylvania took a step forward today," said Rauterkus,
"because we now have a candidate from outside the
established political machines. My candidacy will provide
citizens and taxpayers some new ideas and perspectives
representing their interests."

Rauterkus, a Pittsburgh South Side resident, is no stranger
to politics. In 2001, he was runner-up for the GOP
nomination for mayor of Pittsburgh, and he used the
opportunity to build alliances throughout the area. Later he
changed his party affiliation to Libertarian and he was
recently elected as a 2005 board member of the Allegheny
County LP.

In 2004, the 45-year-old swim coach has worked with local
groups to search for private funding for closed city
recreational facilities.

In his acceptance speech, Rauterkus promised to put the
interests of the taxpayer above those of corporate and
government interests.

As a first move toward fiscal responsibility, Rauterkus has
proposed a money-saving idea regarding the special
election -- the date of which has not been set, said Rich
Loether, treasurer of the county LP.

Rather than wasting about $200,000 of the taxpayers' money
to hold a special election for the Senate seat, Rauterkus is
calling for the state "to schedule the District 42 special
election on the same day as the state primary, May 17,
instead of earlier in 2005."

"I know that will increase opposition turnout and make the
election harder for me, but I cannot in good conscience sit
silently and cost taxpayers unnecessary expense," he said.

In addition to declaring his candidacy for Senate, Rauterkus
is currently fighting a bill proposed by Pittsburgh City
Councilman Bill Peduto, who wants to limit campaign
contributions to candidates for city office.

The measure calls for a $2,000 limit on individual
contributions to candidates in a four-year election cycle;
the offices of mayor, controller and the nine-member city
council would be affected.

Pittsburgh residents were able to voice their views on the
proposed bill after Rauterkus started a petition drive that
collected enough signatures to force the city council to
hold a public hearing on the issue.

End of press release
---------------------------------------------

Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party is the third largest
political party in Allegheny County, in Pennsylvania and in
the nation.  There are over 500 elected and appointed
Libertarians currently serving nationwide, 70 here in
Pennsylvania.  Libertarians believe that you have an
inalienable right to conduct your life as you see fit,
without interference, so long as you respect the rights and
property of others.  For more information about the
Libertarian Party, contact the Libertarian Party of
Allegheny County at www.lppgh.org (412-553-6464) or the
National Libertarian Party at www.lp.org (202-333-0008).