I have to say I was quite surprised to see Kirsten Gillibrand appointed NY's junior Senator on Friday by David Paterson. My immediate reaction was to make a fun commentary on YouTube about it. Certainly in retrospect, with Caroline not in the running, an upstate political insider blue dog Democrat with a Palin potential (the superficial feels good kind) was the obvious choice.
After some other conversations, emails and even some Facebook chatting, the reality of a 'special election' has started to set in. I may have been the only 'Libertarian' ever to run in the district, when I did in 2006. Having served on the Libertarian National Committee and now serving as the chair of the LPNY, I recognize the difficulties a third party faces and appreciate the diversity of input and the impossibility of electoral victory based on a cold hard historical reality.
For this special election, over 3500 signatures would need to be collected in possibly as little as 12 days or as much as three weeks. While the latter may be possible with a rapid money and volunteer infusion, the reality is stark if the former. This post is designed primarily for interested parties to provide input into a potential candidacy on my part. Depending on certain facts and realities on the ground, it is possible that a brief, yet quixotic campaign for liberty is possible. I will list potential advantages and ideas after the 'jump'.
Advantage points;
1. Current LPNY Chair - As I organized and managed the last statewide petition campaign for the Barr candidacy, I'm confident a well funded effort with a few dozen volunteers could manage the herculean task of collecting over 3500 signatures in a district that spreads from the Baseball Hall of Fame to the site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid.
2. Lawsuit Potential - A couple emails with Richard Winger has suggested that we might have a decent potential to have the NYS election law regarding special elections, declared unconstitutional. Any break in that matrix is always worth fighting. Even if we collected as little as a thousand signatures, we would have standing to try. The inherent injustice in regard to a process that requires 'independents' to collect a burden of signatures in half the time that the two 'main' parties do not have to, is an obvious abomination to most people's sense of fairness. Exhibiting this once again in the public arena would have value for our general efforts and in 2010.
3. Turn Key Campaign - Having not decommissioned this URL or website, I can begin immediately with information, announcements and continue to build it as necessary and as help arrives. Given my current ties within the LP, a case for a credible line of support that extends nationally, within NY and on the Internet. I even have a commercial in the can that could air immediately. I've got an experienced politico and certified CPA to act as Treasurer. With enough money, I could also guarantee a local campaign office to work from. The experience which I have in the local community and business makes completely and credibly possible.
4. Sundwall 4 Congress 2.0 - If this becomes a go, filmmaker Tom Caruso of Candid World fame has agreed to come up and cover the battle. This would be a great boon to the movement and the party. Tom's eye and sense of story would provide an extra element and dimension to the story for the media. Stay tuned on this one.
5. Media - Over the years I have development enough media contacts to know that I can effectively be heard amongst them, even if editors and publishers disagree. Odds are good we could have effective inroads in this regard.
Disadvantages -
1. I'm already busy enough - Prior to Friday's revelation I had no plan or desire to run for Congress again. I have a small family, business and an old house. Any of those things can occupy me at any moment. Interrupting my expectations for the first few months of the year for a knock down drag out fight that I'm bound to lose has many problems associated with it.
2. Time & Money - Without real money, fast, the idea is toast. Is there enough support from the Libertarian Party or the movement ?
3. Backlash - If this were started and somehow went real bad fast, my credibility and cache could come into question for future political and business matters. Any time someone runs for office this problematic arises. Thick skin required.
So there it is, I'll float this out for the rest of the weekend and see who's evening paying attention and maybe I'll have an answer early next week. Of course one can never presume anything in this world. I would still need to be approved by the Capital and Hudson Valley LP.
I say, go for it! I agree that the independent body special election petition requirements (same as for a regular election, but nowhere near the time) are ripe for a legal challenge. Where did '3 weeks' come from? I saw 12 days in the election law.
http://www.elections.state.ny.us/NYSBOE/download/law/2008NYElectionLaw.pdf
Eric, I was just about to contact you about this when Bonnie noted your candidacy on an e-list.
See my post.
http://politicalclassdismissed.com/?p=3746
If you decide to run as the Libertarian Party candidate, I will contribute to your campaign.
This is an important race, and having a candidate is important to the cause.
You'll have a lot of hard work ahead of you if you decide to run. You need to know if Libertarians will help, so let's see some contribution committments here. Real pledges only folks. Let's show our support!!!
I'll start it off: if you decide to run, I'm in for $250.
Stewart
Hello all,
I'm a political scinece student so needless to say I have an interest in politics... in the 08 congressional election I didn't like either candidate so I did some research on Mr. Sundwall and actually wrote him in on my absentee ballot. I don't have much (remember, I'm a student), but if Mr. Sundwall gives a full commitment to running I'll throw in $10, for whatever it's worth.
I wanted a map of your district when I came here, so I'm linking to one here:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/New_York_District_20_109th_US_Congress.png
I am also happy to come to NY and do the petitioning necessary to get you on the ballot if it's made financially possible for me to do so. I am also willing to stay there and walk districts for you if you arewilling to buy the voter rolls and run a high-level campaign.
I have seen too many weak Libertarian campaigns. If you are serious about success, you also need to contact Greg Dirasian, who was instrumental in electing several Libertarians in the suburbs of Michigan around 2002, and now lives in NY.
Let's get this train rolling!