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Libertarians want Travis County Republicans to hand over precinct convention lists

Submitted by keath on Fri, 2008-08-08 07:41

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Texas Libertarian Party Executive Director Wes Benedict wants Republicans to hand over participant list for the 2008 precinct conventions, but it seems nobody's home at the Travis County Republican Party headquarters.

Libertarians' emails and phone calls requesting the lists have gone unanswered since April. Benedict plans to visit the TCRP office again on Monday to repeat the request in person.

Benedict says the precinct documents are public record, "The Texas Election Code specifies that all documents filed with and retained by political parties are public information, with several exceptions. An attorney with the Texas Secretary of State's office has told us that the copies of the precinct convention lists are public information, and that members of the public are entitled to make copies of that information."

Why do the Libertarians want the Republican's precinct lists?

"We know that many of the people who attended the Travis County Republican precinct conventions are Ron Paul supporters. We would like to contact them and invite them to join and support the Libertarian Party. The Republican Party has repeatedly shown them nothing but disrespect and hostility," Benedict said.

My advice? Give them the lists and pronto.

Libertarians finding new clout

Submitted by keath on Tue, 2008-08-05 09:07

Close races and Republican dissatisfaction are lending Libertarians new-found clout.

Libertarians meet with speaker's staff:

Libertarians continue to enjoy overtures from Republicans who, at least in some circles, worry that third-party candidates could be a factor in close races this fall.

Just days after ex-state Rep. Suzanna Hupp, R-Lampasas, urged Libertarians to quit key races, three members of Speaker Tom Craddick’s staff met Monday afternoon with Libertarian leaders.

In the past, Libertarian candidates might only get 5 percent of the vote, but that’s enough to determine the winner in a close legislative contest.

With the House closely split between Republicans and Democrats, a handful of legislative races could affect the partisan outcome and perhaps Craddick’s chances to remain speaker.