Libertarians coming to an election near you?
The Libertarian Party of North Carolina says it has almost gathered enough petitions (about 70,000) to qualify as a political party in the state again. If they do that, and there are no problems and the Board of Elections certifies it, the party will be able to run its slate of candidates in the fall election.
That slate, according to a press release from the party, will include Mike Munger, a Duke University professor, for governor. Mark McMains of Fuquay-Varina was nominated for insurance commissioner.
In the eighth Congressional District, which promises to be a rematch of the 2006 election between Republican incumbent Robin Hayes and Democratic Larry Kissel, the Libertarians have nominated Thomas Hill of Concord. That was a barn burner of an election last time and one would think a Libertarian in the race probably draws from Hayes' constituency and helps Kissel a bit.
Paul Elledge will be offered up as a Guilford County Commissioner at-large candidate. Aside from him, the Libertarians don't appear to have targeted any other local races. You can read the run-down on their candidates here. (No perma-link yet.)