The Hays Daily News - Libertarian Candidate Hopes Party Can Gain Status

News Article

By Dawne Leiker

Andrew Gray said there's a reason the Libertarian Party is the "fastest growing political party in Kansas."

"Because people are getting it."

Gray, campaigning as the Libertarian candidate for Kansas governor, was chosen by his party at its state convention in April. Stacey Davis of Shawnee County is his running mate.

"They're getting that you can't have social liberty without economic liberty, and you definitely can't have economic liberty without social liberty," he said. "There's interdependence of one another, and to have one win over the other is a form of tyranny."

A win in the governor's race can happen two ways for the Libertarian Party, Gray said: either by toppling Sens. Sam Brownback and Tom Holland in the November election or by racking up 5 percent of the general vote, which would give it major party status.

"By acquiring major party status, we're on the same level, at least in the eyes of the state, as the Democratic and Republican parties," he said.

"So our ultimate goal is to win. But realistically, it's to acquire that 5 percent."

Lacking major party status has led to exclusion of Gray and Reform Party nominee Ken Cannon from participation in gubernatorial debates across the state, including an upcoming debate sponsored by WIBW-Radio in Topeka and the Kansas Radio Networks on Sept. 11 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.

The Gray/Davis team has been invited to some debates, and Gray said his exclusion from WIBW-Radio's debate, although a "huge disservice to the voters of Kansas," is something he respects due to his Libertarian values.

"They are a private business. They can decide who they want to include or exclude in the debate within the confines of the law," he said.

Last week, Gray released his education plan that entails specific nonprofit organizations to grant scholarships to students to attend a qualified private or public school of their parents' choice.

Funded through tax-credit eligible contributions from individual Kansans and corporations, Gray's plan states taxpayers will "spend significantly less on each scholarship than they currently spend per pupil in public schools."

Gray said his education bill was examined by educators, parents and educational groups. Similar educational funding plans are used in several states.

His rejection of vague political language and dedication to offering specific plans is part of what Gray said sets him apart from major party candidates.

"We are the first ones to admit that we recognize all political systems are inherently flawed," he said. "But we think this is the best one we have.

"We actually have solutions to the problems facing Kansas right now, and I don't really see that coming from either Sen. Brownback or Sen. Holland."

Gray said the message of the Libertarian party resonates with Kansans who "just want to be left alone."

"People talking about tea parties ... that's nothing new to us. We've been having tea parties since 1971," he said. "We're pros at this."

Source