Larry Sharpe and the Libertarians

Larry Sharpe was the libertarian candidate for governor this year, he garnished 90,816 votes putting the libertarian party on the ballot through at least the election of 2022. It will be the sixth party listed on the ballot, after Democratic, Republican, Conservative, Working Families, Green. Independence and Stephanie Miner’s Serve America Party will also be on the ballot.

I don’t know much about the libertarian party in New York but I’m guessing that the chairman of it will likely reserve the Wilson Pakula authorizations to just Republicans. Maybe he or she will give it to Democrats, indeed county committee chairs are free to give authorizations to whomever they want.

I did cast a protest vote for Larry Sharpe as I thought he had many interesting ideas, like pardoning people for SAFE Act violations and reducing the overly burdensome government. But I also recognize the problematic nature of giving the libertarians ballot access status, as it will make it somewhat easier for Republicans to get elected into office in our state.