The Libertarian candidate for Governor, Dan Feliciano, held a press conference on Thursday, August 7 announcing that he intends to actively seek the Republican nomination as a write-in candidate.
Feliciano’s decision is controversial within the Libertarian Party, which has many points of difference with the Republican Party.
"I am not opposed to candidates seeking outside nominations if there is a match on a certain issue," said Travis Spencer, chair of the Milton Town Committee and State Committee Assistant Treasurer.
"This election cycle shows where a major issue can be overturned by joining forces to overcome it,” he said, referring to the looming “single-payer,” government-managed health care for Vermont. “There are times when Liberty is greater than Party and this is one of those times."
Jeremy Ryan, chair of the Vermont Libertarian Party, and other state committee members expressed concerns that the news will reinforce the idea that Libertarians are closely aligned with Republicans on most issues.
Mr. Ryan emphasized that he wants the VTLP to be attractive to anyone who supports liberty, whether they come from the left or right.
"I remind everyone that Libertarian principles do not waver,” he said. “It is great when other parties find agreement with our positions and support our candidates, but I personally oppose Libertarian candidates seeking outside party nominations, and so do the majority of our state committee. This is not our party strategy, but we do feel that Dan is the best candidate for governor.”
Ryan said that he apologizes to “any member that may be disillusioned or offended by this development.”
“It's also worth noting that many of our other candidates have also been contacted by members of both the Republican and Democratic parties to seek their nominations, but turned them down on principle," he said.
About Vermont Libertarian Party
The Vermont Libertarian Party is an affiliate of The National Libertarian Party. The motto of the VTLP is "Small Government, Low Taxes, More Freedom." The VTLP has been more or less active in the Green Mountain State since the early 1980s. Despite the relatively small size of our state Party, the Libertarian Party is the largest third party in the country and is driving a renaissance in libertarian thinking in this country.
Source: Vermont Libertarian Party, August 7, 2014