From the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader:
One of the best known Republicans in Luzerne County Friday endorsed the Libertarian candidate in the race for the seat in the 120th Legislative District.
Walter Griffith Jr., Luzerne County controller, has endorsed Tim Mullen, the Libertarian Party candidate who is challenging state Rep. Phyllis Mundy, the Democrat who has held the seat for 20 years.
What didn’t sit well with the local GOP is that West Pittston Mayor Bill Goldsworthy – a Republican – is also in the race; yet Griffith endorsed the Libertarian.
“This is a huge endorsement for the campaign as Tim Mullen continues to gain across the board support, and is poised to shock the political establishment by being the first independent voice in Harrisburg in nearly a century,” said Lou Jasikoff, spokesman for the Mullen campaign. “It is becoming apparent that voters see the benefits of having a viable third party on the ballot and what it brings to the arena of ideas and competition to the political process. Many of our elected officials no longer represent the people, but represent their parties, and unfortunately their parties are bought and sold by special interests.”
Griffith confirmed that he has endorsed Mullen for the seat over his co-Republican.
“Quite honestly, I just feel Tim Mullen’s credibility appears better to me,” Griffith said. “I wasn’t going to endorse anybody, but the more I watched this race, I felt Mullen is the best candidate.”
Griffith has been an outspoken opponent of the home rule charter movement, while Goldsworthy recently said he was voting for the change in county government.
“I didn’t make this decision just because of that,” Griffith said. “But Mr. Goldsworthy said he didn’t agree with home rule, but then said he would vote for it. If he has the conviction to disagree with something, then he should have the conviction to vote against it.”
The Pennsylvania Libertarian Party has been particularly active in this area, with two other Libertarians on the ballot for state representative. Mullen has received financial support from both the LNCC and the Libertarian Donors Club.
I realized in hindsight that I accidentally put Mullen running for state senate in this article. I must have flipped him with the other candidate you are mentioning. When I get time (probably tomorrow night) I will correct the error.
Actually, there are two other Libertarian candidates for state legislature in the area, one for the adjacent house district and one for the state senate district.
Go Tim!!!