I just emailed the following message to the 8th District Chairman of Minnesota’s Independence Party. I’ve been warned that Mr. Richardson takes a dim view of cross-over endorsements. That’s what happens when one party endorses the candidate of a second party. Republican Senate candidate Mark Kennedy did this today when he endorsed the Democrat, Joe Lieberman, who was just defeated in the Connecticut Primary.
8-10-2006
Chair P J Richardson
Vice-Chair Don Waller
Minnesota Independence Party Gentlemen,I have lived in Duluth, Minnesota, and the 8th Congressional District, since 1974. Although I have maintained a 35-year relationship with the Republican Party it has been a rocky one. In 1992 I challenged the Republican endorsed Congressional nominee and the Democrat’s James Oberstar as an Independent. I received 22,000 votes.
I come from a family of teachers and value public education and graduated with a teaching degree from Minnesota University, Mankato in 1973. I was a teacher in the Duluth schools off and on until 1987. For two terms from 1995 until 2003 I served on the Duluth School Board. I earned a reputation for telling people what they needed to hear rather than what they wanted to hear. I am a fiscal conservative and a libertarian regarding personal conduct. I have been a writer for Duluth’s alternative paper the Reader Weekly for the past four years.
I am a centrist and a moderate. I strongly believe in the separation of church and state. Long before the Independence Party called for transparency I began outlining my positions on numerous controversial issues so that there could be no doubt in the public’s mind how I would likely vote. Many of my positions can be found at my website www.snowbizz.com , on my blog: www.lincolndemocrat.com or on my campaign website: www.welty4congress.org
My only piece of campaign literature – a bookmark – which directs voters to my websites can be viewed at this link. I have filed for office as an independent candidate and have a copy of my affidavit of Candidacy from the Secretary of State. I will be listed on the ballot as representing the “Unity Party.”
I hereby request consideration from Minnesota’s Independence Party for their endorsement of my race for the 8th Congressional District seat.
If you require a more formal letter for such a consideration please advise me and I will put this in the mail as well as a photocopy of my affidavit of candidacy.
Sincerely,
Harry Welty
candidate for Congress, 8th Dist
