The Ron Paul Revolution Reaches Minnesota’s House Races

The Ron Paul Revolution Reaches Minnesota’s House Races

North Minneapolis GOP House contender Grant Cermak considers it "a great honor from the most impressive statesman in America."

No, not the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President George Bush. Perhaps better (to a select few, anyway): the U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (TX-14) endorsement of Cermak’s bid in 58A against six-term incumbent Rep. Joe Mullery (DFL-Minneapolis). Cermak is the first in Minnesota to receive the Texas Representative’s endorsement, although a few more are expected to be announced soon.

Tom Lizardo, Paul’s chief of staff, said there are radically more requests for endorsement this election cycle. While he hasn’t actually crunched the numbers, he wouldn’t be surprised if the office has received over 100 requests, compared to about 12 in past years. He estimates Paul will endorse 10 to 12 candidates in Minnesota.

Candidates who pursue endorsement receive a questionnaire, which Lizardo describes as a "covenant where candidates declare what they really believe." There are over a dozen questions that focus on issues, political viability and campaign management. When comparing the endorsement process to college admissions, Lizardo said the Paul endorsement process was competitive to highly competitive.

"It’s not simple and easy to get," Lizardo said.

The campaign doesn’t do intensive, formal background checks ("We’re not in the investigative business," Lizardo said.), but they do check out candidate websites, and perhaps talk to a few local Paul activists who know the candidate. As Congressman Paul is quite busy, candidates who haven’t heard back yet about their endorsement shouldn’t fear they have been rejected - the rate of return depends on Paul’s availability to discuss potential candidates.

A Paul endorsement signifies someone who agrees with Paul on limited government, restricted government spending, and lower taxes. Lizardo considers candidates’ answer to the question, "Do you strongly believe in limited government philosophy?" to be the most important when considering endorsement.

At this point, Paul is not endorsing anyone who is running against incumbent Republican members of Congress. Paul has endorsed some non-Republicans, including a Libertarian candidate for mayor in Michigan (there was no GOP candidate). There are currently three to four dozen candidates endorsed by Paul.

Yet, for all the honor it bestows, it likely isn’t enough to secure a victory for Cermak. In 2006, Mullery received over 75% of the vote against GOP candidate Nicole Kuehn and Independence Party candidate Justin Adams.

3 Responses to “The Ron Paul Revolution Reaches Minnesota’s House Races”

1. cwhiatt Says:
   July 16th, 2008 at 6:39 am

   Mullery didn’t receive his party’s endorsement. It’s time for Mullery to go. Politics was never meant to become a full time gig. We need some new blood in there. We need a guy willing to ask some tough questions. We need a guy like Cermak.

2. Justin C. Adams Says:
   July 18th, 2008 at 7:53 am

   I was not and Independence party candidate. I was an independent candidate. There is a huge difference. I collected signatures to get on the ballot, and I ran far to the left of our incumbent.

   How far left? Well, I openly called for a $9 billion increase in income taxes and $5 billion in cuts to sales and property taxes. With the $4 billion, I proposed to provide high-quality free public education to every resident from age 3-23. I proposed to make up the $1 Billion annual shortfall in transportation funding (long before falling bridges brought this issue to a head). I proposed state-wide single payer healthcare. I got 5.5% in the general election, better than Major Party Candidates for the US Senate and for Minnesota Governor, without any party support at all.

   I currently serve as a precinct officer in the DFL, and was elected an alternate to the State convention as a DFLer. I do not appreciate being lumped in with this opposing major party’s candidates. Here’s why.

   Independence Candidates pay a fee to get on the ballot and run on a socially moderate and fiscally conservative ticket. Many of them support the highly regressive idea of abolishing the federal income tax and replacing it with a flat sales tax. I would never support such an idea.

   FYI, Mullery also has a challenger in the September 9 primary, Minneapolis Park Board member and past president Jon Olson. You can read about that contest and my reasons for opposing Mullery in 2006 and now here.

3. PamSteinle Says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 5:39 pm

   Sorry for the mistake. Thanks for setting the record straight!