The 2012 Draft Effort

[Thomas]

Who do we want to run for office in 2012? We can use this guide (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?280445-Liberty-candidates-for-Senate-2012-the-definitive-list) to help choose good Senate candidates for 2012. These (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_elections,_2012) are the Senate seats up for grabs (33).

• Alabama
• Alaska
• American Samoa
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California - Peter Thiel for U.S. Senate (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Thiel-for-US-Senate-R-CA-2012/193333480701277)
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida - Jimmy Wales for U.S. Senate (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jimmy-Wales-for-US-Senate-R-FL-2012/202725489753173)
• Georgia
• Guam
• Hawaii - Sam Slom for U.S. Senate (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-Slom-for-US-Senate-R-HI-2012/108609755885220)
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky - Alan Brown Jr. for U.S. Congress (http://www.facebook.com/draftalanbrownjr)
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland - Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad for U.S. Senate (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Imad-ad-Dean-Ahmad-for-US-Senate-R-MD-2012/147049585358747)
• Massachusetts
• Michigan - Justin Amash for U.S. Senate (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Justin-Amash-for-US-Senate-R-MI-2012/175367525843432)
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana - Mike Miller for U.S. Senate (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Miller-for-US-Senate-R-MT-2012/194284557268779)
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey - Mike Doherty for U.S. Senate (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Doherty-for-US-Senate-R-NJ-2012/194494260573586)
• New Mexico - Gary Johnson for U.S. Senate (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gary-Johnson-for-US-Senate-2012/202285763120625)
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota - Kevin Cramer for U.S. Senate (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kevin-Cramer-for-US-Senate-R-ND-2012/178156768897428)
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Ohio - Drew Carey for U.S. Senate (http://www.facebook.com/drewcareyforsenate) - Bradley Smith for U.S. Senate (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bradley-Smith-for-US-Senate-R-OH-2012/114893155255077?ref=ts)
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania - Sam Rohrer for U.S. Senate (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-Rohrer-for-US-Senate-2012/168547226529835?sk=wall) - Mike Folmer for U.S. Senate (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Folmer-for-US-Senate-R-PA-2012/183653091677946)
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island - Colleen Conley for U.S. Senate (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colleen-Conley-for-US-Senate-R-RI-2012/180217995343788)
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee - Adrian Eddleman for U.S. Senate (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adrian-Eddleman-for-US-Senate-R-TN-2012/102122419871165?ref=ts)
• Texas - Robert Paul for U.S. Senate (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Robert-Paul-for-US-Senate-2012/148303935230977) - Debra Medina for U.S. Senate (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Debra-Medina-for-US-Senate-2012/203538299660480) - John Mackey for U.S. Senate (https://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Mackey-for-US-Senate-R-TX-2012/187322214637848)
• Utah - Jason Chaffetz for U.S. Senate (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jason-Chaffetz-for-Senate-2012/123410681009735)
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Virgin Islands
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin - Frank Lasee for U.S. Senate (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Frank-Lasee-for-US-Senate-R-WI-2012/145740842157343?ref=ts)
• Wyoming - Cale Case for U.S. Senate (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cale-Case-for-US-Senate-R-WY-2012/156394471084165?ref=ts)

[muzzled dogg]

Sticky in the making

[eduardo89]

Draft Alan Brown Jr. for U.S. Congress 2012 Kentucky 2nd District (http://www.facebook.com/draftalanbrownjr)

[aspiringconstitutionalist]

Thanks for posting this! This is really helpful. I would also add our group drafting the libertarian and Austrian economist founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, for US Senate from Florida: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jimmy-Wales-for-US-Senate-R-FL-2012/202725489753173

[aspiringconstitutionalist]

Also, we'll be trying to draft Ron Paul Republican Madison County Commissioner Adrian Eddleman for U.S. Senate in Tennessee: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adrian-Eddleman-for-US-Senate-R-TN-2012/102122419871165?ref=ts

[AniForLiberty]

bump!

[aspiringconstitutionalist]

And for the final big dump, we've finally gotten around to starting draft pages for most of the rest of the states:

Sam Slom for U.S. Senate (R-HI) 2012 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-Slom-for-US-Senate-R-HI-2012/108609755885220)
Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad for U.S. Senate (R-MD) 2012 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Imad-ad-Dean-Ahmad-for-US-Senate-R-MD-2012/147049585358747)
Mike Miller for U.S. Senate (R-MT) 2012 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Miller-for-US-Senate-R-MT-2012/194284557268779)
Mike Doherty for U.S. Senate (R-NJ) 2012 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Doherty-for-US-Senate-R-NJ-2012/194494260573586)
Kevin Cramer for U.S. Senate (R-ND) 2012 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kevin-Cramer-for-US-Senate-R-ND-2012/178156768897428)
Mike Folmer for U.S. Senate (R-PA) 2012 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Folmer-for-US-Senate-R-PA-2012/183653091677946)
Colleen Conley in U.S. Senate (R-RI) 2012 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Colleen-Conley-for-US-Senate-R-RI-2012/180217995343788)
John Mackey for U.S. Senate (R-TX) 2012 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Mackey-for-US-Senate-R-TX-2012/187322214637848)
Jason Chaffetz for U.S. Senate (R-UT) 2012 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jason-Chaffetz-for-Senate-2012/123410681009735)
Frank Lasee for U.S. Senate (R-WI) 2012 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Frank-Lasee-for-US-Senate-R-WI-2012/145740842157343?ref=ts)
Cale Case for U.S. Senate (R-WY) 2012 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cale-Case-for-US-Senate-R-WY-2012/156394471084165?ref=ts)

Also, if Drew Carey can't be persuaded to run in Ohio, then as a backup, we're looking at
Bradley Smith for U.S. Senate (R-OH) 2012 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bradley-Smith-for-US-Senate-R-OH-2012/114893155255077?ref=ts)

[Thomas]

bump!

[aspiringconstitutionalist]

Ooh, it also looks like Clint Didier is going to reuse his 2010 campaign Facebook page for 2012 as well: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=144064676225

[Thomas]

Ooh, it also looks like Clint Didier is going to reuse his 2010 campaign Facebook page for 2012 as well: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=144064676225

Why do you say that? Plus, if he is running again he needs to use a page not a group.

[aspiringconstitutionalist]

Why do you say that? Plus, if he is running again he needs to use a page not a group.

He's pretty much said he's running again, and his 2010 Senate Facebook page didn't have a year in the title, so I imagine he's just going to reuse that.

[fatjohn]

And no peter schiff draft? Lieberman is retiring, 2012 might even better economy wise to run and for the primary his main competitor will likely again be mcmahon which already like screwed up her chance last time. Plus he seemed eager to have another go at it after last primary race.

[aspiringconstitutionalist]

I think Schiff has soured on the idea for the time being. It looks like Linda McMoney might try again also, and it's just damn near impossible to compete against that kind of money. All the CT GOP delegates and activists either went for her, because of the loads of money, or for Simmons, because he had brought home the pork for years and years. Then, the CT general electorate blindly supported Blumenthal because he had a letter other than (R) after his name, even though Blumenthal was caught in the middle of a huge scandal surrounding his Vietnam record. Peter doesn't have Linda's money, Rob's connections, or Blumenthal's (D). I honestly wish Peter would get a residence in Nevada and run there, because his fiscal conservatism and social libertarianism would fit that state perfectly, and there's no bored, big money blue bloods who want a Senate trophy on their shelf, who could outspend Peter there either. I'm tentatively supporting Tarkanian in NV, but I'm not too thrilled about any of the current prospects there.

I'm also wondering about drafting Graydon Carter in CT, since he's a solid libertarian and happens to be loaded, but he hates major political parties. Bah... Thoughts, anyone? Could Peter be convinced to get a residence in NV and run there?

[MRoCkEd]

Not to be a downer, but the vast majority of these people have no chance. Shouldn't we be a bit more serious about picking people who could win rather than anyone we can find?

[aspiringconstitutionalist]

Not to be a downer, but the vast majority of these people have no chance. Shouldn't we be a bit more serious about picking people who could win rather than anyone we can find?

I spent many, many hours looking high and low for viable candidates and researching their stances on the issues, their personal and public record, their electoral history, etc. when I made the "definitive list" thread (which is stickied to this subforum). These people, as far as I can see, ARE the best available chances we have at these seats. If you can find anyone more electable and better positioned to run for US Senate in these states, please don't hesitate to speak up, because I agree that we need to get behind the most electable libertarian Republicans we can find, but honestly, this is it. And I don't think it's wise to ignore any of these seats and not try to get a liberty candidate on the ballot in every Republican Senate primary. Who would have thought that Mike Lee would topple a sitting US Senator in the Utah Republican primary in 2010 and become the next UT Senator? It's a good thing we had a liberty candidate in that race, which at first probably looked like a lost cause.

[erowe1]

Do we have anyone for Nevada, now that it's an open seat?

[aspiringconstitutionalist]

Do we have anyone for Nevada, now that it's an open seat?

I offered a list of potential candidates in my "definitive list" thread stickied to this subforum, but frankly we don't really have any great options there that I could find... I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile to try to draft Peter Schiff into moving there and running, because he would be a perfect match for that state, but the idea would admittedly be hard to sell to Peter.

[matt0611]

I spent many, many hours looking high and low for viable candidates and researching their stances on the issues, their personal and public record, their electoral history, etc. when I made the "definitive list" thread (which is stickied to this subforum). These people, as far as I can see, ARE the best available chances we have at these seats. If you can find anyone more electable and better positioned to run for US Senate in these states, please don't hesitate to speak up, because I agree that we need to get behind the most electable libertarian Republicans we can find, but honestly, this is it. And I don't think it's wise to ignore any of these seats and not try to get a liberty candidate on the ballot in every Republican Senate primary. Who would have thought that Mike Lee would topple a sitting US Senator in the Utah Republican primary in 2010 and become the next UT Senator? It's a good thing we had a liberty candidate in that race, which at first probably looked like a lost cause.

Well said. We have to start somewhere. Even if we don't throw our support behind all of these candidates its a good idea to start showing the playing field and putting the best we have up there. Great job!

[erowe1]

I offered a list of potential candidates in my "definitive list" thread stickied to this subforum, but frankly we don't really have any great options there that I could find... I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile to try to draft Peter Schiff into moving there and running, because he would be a perfect match for that state, but the idea would admittedly be hard to sell to Peter.

It would be great. But I don't think it makes sense for him. He'd look like someone who just wants to get into the senate and will move from state to state until he finds one that will put him there. It would be one thing if he were a shoo-in to get the GOP nomination there, and if there were a big movement inside the state begging him to do it. But that's probably not the case.

[Echo]

North Dakota's Cramer said he's not going to run. I emphatically suggest Bob Harms, A Ron Paul and Gary Johson supporter who started the North Dakota Tea Party Caucus. He was at one time the NDGOP Party Treasurer, but has since distanced himself somewhat from the GOP.

Other suggestions I have, and am open to input, include:

Clint Didier, Washington State

Sharron Angle, Nevada

Paul Kohls, MN (or Bachmann could wisely give up her Pres. bid, and possibly run for this seat, thoughts?)

Scotty Boman, Michigan

Richard Mourdock, IN

Jaime Radtke Virginia

John Schiess, Wisconsin

Andrew Ian Dodge, Maine

Libertarian Candidate Paul Passarelli in CT (I'd like to see Schiff in a cabinet position instead)

Eric LaMont Gregory, OH

Jim Deakin, AZ

Also, how does Laureen Cummings in PA compare to Roherer and others in the state?

Other states that we must be finding primary and general candidates for:
MO
MS
NE
MA!

Liberty Matters, Ron Paul 2012!

[thehighwaymanq]

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?302865-Draft-Kristi-Risk-for-Congress

[forsmant]

Pat Flynn is the most liberty minded candidate to unseat Senator Ben Nelson. http://www.patflynnforsenate.org/

[Shane Harris]

replace Sam Rohrer with Marc Scaringi

[EdQ]

Sam Rohrer should not be listed on PA, it should be Marc Scaringi. And Folmer is running for re-election as state Senator, not US.

[MeSSeNJa]

Kurt Bills in Minnesota. Actually endorsed by the good doctor himself! www.kurtbills.com