The bill, you may recall, would require independent camdidates to file at the same time as Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians, even though they have no primaries.
The bill was placed in the committee chaired by Sen. Delbert Scott, R-Lowry City, who co-sponsored similar legislation last year. Scott, of course, faced a stiff challenge from an an independent candidate, Michael Holzknecht, in 2006.
The 2007 Senate bill that started this movement was sponsored by Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, who also faced an independent challenge from Kim Wright, Joplin:
Sen. Delbert Scott, the committee’s chairman, said opposing parties often recruit candidates to run as “independents.”
“It is a game that’s played every election,” he said. “Maybe you’ll understand sometime.”
In 2006, Scott received a stiff challenge from independent candidate Mike Holzknecht, who garnered nearly 43 percent of the vote. Last year, Scott co-sponsored a similar measure crafted by Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, who had a similar challenge in ‘06. His independent opponent, Kim Wright, got 36 percent of the vote.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Ted Hoskins, D-Berkeley, didn’t face an independent candidate in 2006. Even though he only faces one foe in August’s Democratic primary, he said an independent candidate could swoop in at the last minute and surprise him.
In a situation like that, “I’ve expended all of my funds against my opponent trying to win the primary,” he said. “I have to now turn around and raise some more funds.”
Independents now must file for office by July.
Whatever happened to the concept of legislators filing bills that actually addressed serious issues?
Wishful thinking Randy? Kim Wright was never a serious "challenge" to Gary Nodler. That thought is rather funny.
ReplyDeleteFirst, it's obvious that Gary Nodler considered Kim a challenge thus his sponsorship of the original senate bill.
ReplyDeleteDelbert Scott reference to the parties playing the game degrades legitimate independent candidates and is only a game to be played by members of the major parties who also get to play the 'game' of administering our elections and designing our legislative districts. Serious 'games' indeed which to often undermines the will of those they were elected to represent.
A similar bill in Montana is being challenged and this one will as well if it becomes law.
Barbara
As an Independent, I certainly was not coerced into running against Mr. Nodler by the Democrats (or the Republicans for that matter--some of them were not fond of their candidate if you will remember). Rather, I ran in an effort to hold the incumbent responsible and give voters a choice. It was a campaign that I took very seriously as an Independent--it was no game. I resent the comments of both Hoskins and Scott who somehow feel "entitled" to the votes. As Hoskins told me--Independents steal the votes!! Who knew any political party owns the votes of the constituents. Thank you Randy for keeping the voters informed about the motives of elected politicians. I know this bill will be challenged in Missouri. As a postscript, I would remind readers that the number of Independent voters nationally surpasses the number of registered Dems and Republicans. Interesting that both parties are so willing to offend the majority of voters with this type of legislation.
ReplyDeleteKim Wright