On July 10, the 2014 Convention of the Florida Press Association/Florida Society of News Editors will be holding its gubernatorial candidate forum at the Biltmore in Coral Gables. In an all too familiar story, the Libertarian candidate for governor, Adrian Wyllie, will be denied his rightful place at the rostrum. The sponsors claim he lacks public support, even though he is polling between 5% and 6% of the vote. Lacks public support? Catch 22: how can a candidate gain support when he or she can’t be heard?
Over the years, minor party candidates have been systematically excluded from the public dialogue by the two-party system, but Libertarian candidate Adrian Wyllie is fighting back. In his statement below, he declares, “I refuse to accept your rules, and I present you with the following ultimatum. I will attend the FPA/FSNE Gubernatorial Forum on July 10th in Coral Gables. You may either allow me to participate in the forum, or you may have me arrested.”
In fighting for his right to speak, he is fighting for all minor party candidates who have been shut out of the public eye for so many years. The Green Party of Florida therefore insists that his voice be heard on an equal footing with all the gubernatorial candidates.
Continue reading “3rd Party Gubernatorial Candidate: Forum or Jail”