Hello fellow Libertarians, While these are primarily support groups for Michael Badnarik's campaign for President and, now, for U.S. Congress, and while I support Michael's efforts wholeheartedly (I have been fortunate enough to have him stay at my home on more than one occasion, and am privileged to consider him a friend) ... I know many of you believe, as I do, that the best place for Libertarian candidates to succeed, and for libertarian ideas to take root - especially in the near future - is at the local level. Some of you reading this message have run for local office, and I commend you for your efforts. For those of you who are not actually running this year, though, I'd like to tell you a bit about my campaign and ask for your support.
I am running for the County Commission in Hamilton County, Tennessee. This is the fourth largest county in Tennessee with a population of about 310,000; it contains the city of Chattanooga plus several smaller municipalities including my hometown of Signal Mountain. Hamilton County is divided into nine commission districts of roughly equal population, which means my district (District 2) has a population of about 35,000 (residing in roughly 15,000 households). The qualifying deadline passed with no Democrat entering the race. No wonder! The incumbent, a tax-and-spend Republican (a.k.a. RINO, Republican In Name Only) has never seen a tax increase he didn't like, so all the liberals love him. Last year, he also helped put in place a vehicle emissions inspection program that polls indicate is opposed by roughly 80% of the citizens. The incumbent has a Republican challenger in the May 2 primary who is a nice guy but a political neophyte - he is 70 years old and has never held or even run for office before. Needless to say, I expect to be facing the incumbent in the August 3 general election. What is my platform? You can see it on my web site at http://www.JoeDumas.com/ I am campaigning as "The Taxpayer's Best Friend ... The Vehicle Owner's Best Friend ... The Property Owner's Best Friend." In the wake of the infamous Kelo v. New London decision, I stand against eminent domain abuse that could take taxpayers' property directly, and I also oppose tax hikes that can effectively price lower-income residents out of their own homes. I oppose any county "wheel tax" and want to repeal the ineffective, inconvenient, and intrusive vehicle inspection program. And, not only do I oppose all tax increases and favor repealing the property tax increase that was passed last year (with my incumbent opponent's help), but I have pledged to decline the salary and benefits normally paid to county commissioners. (If I'm campaigning on downsizing government, I think it's only fair to start with myself! One who talks the talk should also walk the walk....) I am not about to tell you that this race is a slam dunk. In fact, it is just the opposite. It is always difficult to defeat an entrenched incumbent - all the more so when one is a third-party candidate forced to run as an independent by Tennessee's election laws (which do not recognize any parties other than R and D). The odds are against me. Then, again, the odds were against the Pittsburgh Steelers winning three straight playoff games on the road and then the Super Bowl. If the favored team always won, we wouldn't have to play the games, would we? There are several factors that mitigate in my favor, though. One is that I will be in a one-on-one race against a single major party opponent, rather than two. Another is the fact that I have been politically active in the past and (because of that and other civic activities) have good name recognition for a challenger. I have run three times (2000, 2002, 2004) for the Signal Mountain Town Council, and have improved my standing each time. In an at-large race for three vacant seats, I went from 6th in 2000 to 5th in 2002 to 4th (1,908 votes) in 2004. I also took a very active role in opposing a 2004 referendum to spend $10 million in municipal funds as an incentive (a.k.a. "bribe") to get the county to build a high school in Signal Mountain. (Unfortunately, the bribe was very narrowly approved and the new school, and the corresponding tax increase, are on their way.) I am known in my community as a crusader for low taxes and small government. (You could even say I'm the poster child :) Another important factor is that this area of the country has shown itself to be fertile ground for Libertarian candidates. Tennessee already has one elected county commissioner (Heather Scott, Wilson County). Right here in Hamilton County, Libertarian Harry Hodgdon is a sitting Collegedale City Commissioner. And just over the Georgia state line, about 30 miles from where I sit, Ben Brandon is the Dade County Executive, making him (as county CEO) one of the highest-ranking Libertarian elected officials in America. (And Ben won his seat by defeating both a Democrat and a Republican in a partisan race!) There is a strong spirit of independent-mindedness in East Tennessee that I hope to capitalize on in my race for the County Commission. So, will I definitely win? No candidate can promise that. Do I have a chance to win? Absolutely - if I can raise enough money to compete on a reasonably level playing field with my incumbent opponent. I expect him to raise and spend close to $50,000 to try to retain his seat. (He will have support from the teachers' union and every liberal special interest group under the sun.) I don't believe I have to outspend him to win ... I can spend smarter, not more prolifically ... but I do have to be "in the ballpark" to be competitive. Realistically, I will have to raise and spend at least $10,000 to run a credible race, and probably twice that to have a good chance of winning. How can I achieve my $20,000 fund-raising goal? Simple ... one supporter at a time. If 200 people donate $100 each, I will be able to run the campaign I want to run ... one that will make my supporters and all libertarians proud, and one that will give me a legitimate chance to unseat a tax-and-spend incumbent. I can accomplish the same thing if 400 people donate $50 each ... or, looking at it from the opposite perspective, if 20 people donate the legal maximum of $1000 each. If you have read this far, you are not only a lover of Liberty, but an extremely patient person :) And, obviously, you are giving significant thought to supporting my campaign. Please, take a moment to surf to my web site. If you like what you see, click on the "Make a Campaign Contribution" link and make your best donation in support of my campaign. (Note: campaign finance laws require me to make a "best effort" to determine the occupation and employer of donors over $100. That means I have to ask; it doesn't mean you have to tell me if you don't wish to.) Thanks for your time and attention, and for your support of individual freedom, personal responsibility, and limited government. In Liberty, Joe Dumas Candidate, Hamilton County Commission, District 2 www.JoeDumas.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/badnarik2008/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! 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