Document:California Press Release 15 October 1998 Candidates Endorsed by Gun Owners of America
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- NEWS FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
- Office of the Executive Director
- 11956 Riverside Dr., #206
- Valley Village, CA 91607-3772
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- For immediate release: October 15, 1998
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- For additional information:
- Juan Ros, Executive Director
- Phone: (818) 506-0200
- Fax: (818) 506-0212
- Mailto:director@ca.lp.org
- Web: http://www.ca.lp.org/
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Libertarian candidates endorsed by Gun Owners of California -- over Republicans
LOS ANGELES - In a move that underscores the emerging importance of the Libertarian Party in electoral politics, the Sacramento-based gun rights organization Gun Owners of California endorsed 10 Libertarian candidates on the November 3rd ballot, the Libertarian Party of California announced today.
"This is a historic day for Libertarians," declared Libertarian state chair Mark Hinkle. "We have been fighting for a long time to be taken seriously as a viable political party, and the dedication and hard work of our candidates is paying off. These endorsements are one small step for liberty and one giant leap for the Libertarian Party of California."
What makes the endorsements especially satisfying, according to Hinkle, is that Libertarians were endorsed over Republican candidates, who are usually expected to receive the support of gun rights organizations.
"Gun Owners of California is recognizing what we've been saying for years: that Libertarians fully acknowledge the constitutionally-protected right held by law-abiding citizens to protect themselves from violent criminals," noted Hinkle. "Republicans tend to forget that."
For example, in the 36th Congressional race, Libertarian Kerry Welsh was endorsed over Republican Assemblyman Steve Kuykendall, and in the 24th Assembly race Libertarian Ray Strong was endorsed over Republican incumbent Assemblyman Jim Cunneen.
The 10 candidates who received endorsements, and the offices they are seeking, are:
- Congressional District 18: Linda M. DeGroat
- Congressional District 26: Juan Carlos Ros
- Congressional District 36: Kerry Welsh
- Senate District 26: Bob Weber
- Senate District 40: David N. Graham
- Assembly District 22: Paul Rako
- Assembly District 24: Ray Strong
- Assembly District 39: Christopher "Kit" Maira
- Assembly District 40: Kelley L. Ross
- Assembly District 47: Eric Michael Fine
Gun Owners of California represents 50,000 members statewide.
The Libertarian Party of California is running 99 candidates for federal, state, and local office this November.