Governor Libertarian Candidate Barbara Howe Receiving 7% Support in Latest North Carolina Poll

Democracy, elections and voting at Democracy Chronicles

Libertarian Party Candidate for Governor of North Carolina Barbara Howe has made headlines due to a poll showing her with a large portion of the voter’s backing.  At 7%, the poll places Howe in striking distance of a major opportunity for third parties in the US.  The original post can found at Richard Winger’s Ballot Access News.  Take a look:

On July 5, Civitas Institute released a poll for the North Carolina gubernatorial election, showing Libertarian Barbara Howe at 7%. See the details here. If Howe gets 7% in the election itself, that will be the highest percentage for any gubernatorial candidate in the general election who was not the Republican or Democratic nominee, since 1912. In 1912, the Progressive Party nominee for Governor of North Carolina, Iredell Meares, polled 20.4% of the vote, placing second ahead of the Republican nominee, Thomas Settle, who got 17.9%.

The full article can be found at the Civitas Institute’s webpage.  Take a look at an excerpt:

The newest Civitas Flash Poll shows that Republican gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory loses much of his lead when respondents can choose Libertarian candidate Barbara Howe. “Although the polls differ somewhat in format, the data suggests that a significant portion of McCrory’s support shifted to Howe when given the chance,” Civitas President Francis X. De Luca said. “To win those votes in November, McCrory likely will have to persuade libertarian-minded voters that he too wants to and can rein in out-of-control government.”

The Civitas Institute is described by Wikipedia as follows:

Civitas: The Institute for the Study of Civil Society was founded by David George Green and Robert Whelan early in 2000 as an independent think tank. It is a British registered charity (No. 1085494), financed by private donations. It receives no government funding and has no affiliations with any political party. The stated underlying purpose of Civitas is to deepen public understanding of the legal, institutional and moral framework that makes a free and democratic society possible.

They state that what they do is:

• Support informed public debate and encourage consensus by:
  • Providing accurate factual information on today’s social issues.
  • Publishing informed comment and analysis.
  • Bringing together leading protagonists in open discussion.

• Work towards pragmatic solutions to current social problems.
• Implement pioneering projects to demonstrate what can be accomplished.
• Supply schools with teaching materials and guest speakers.

Also take a look at this endorsement from Gary Johnson for Barbara Howe:

We are pleased to announce that Barbara Howe has received an endorsement from the Libertarian Party presidential candidate and former governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson. Governor Gary Johnson states, “Barbara Howe has been a strong advocate for the message of liberty in her many years of involvement with the Libertarian Party. Her experience, commitment, and energy make her a great candidate for Governor of North Carolina. She is a fellow athlete and her dedication to spreading the message of liberty is exemplified by her campaign goal of visiting and running a 5K in every one of the 100 counties in North Carolina. If the voters of North Carolina want a Governor who will protect their tax dollars and their personal liberty, then, Vote for Libertarian Barbara Howe.”

To learn more about Governor Johnson, visit his campaign website at https://www.GaryJohnson2012.com.