By Kevin Derby
Libertarian gubernatorial hopeful Adrian Wyllie arrived uninvited Wednesday at the Tallahassee AP media event featuring other statewide candidates. But the sponsors improvised by giving him a spot in the program. Wyllie used his chance to take aim at the leading candidates in the race, insisting he could make an impact.
He showed no hesitation in mocking Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist, the favorite for the Democratic nomination. Reviewing Scott’s and Crist’s speeches, Wyllie threw a quick jab.
“I don’t know what was more entertaining to me, Rick Scott talking about his fiscal conservatism or Charlie Crist talking about ethics,” Wyllie said.
A small-business man who has been active with the Libertarians for 20 years, Wyllie also hosted a radio talk show at one point. He slammed the media for “ignoring” his candidacy and insisted he was a serious candidate who could be a factor in November.
Read the full story here.
Thanks for the response, Adrian. We appreciate you taking your time to rebut the accusations. Just don’t get sucked into endless back and forth on here, because your time is better spent dealing with the general public as much as possible (as for that matter is the other side’s).
I’d like to respond the accusations regarding both my record as LPF chair and my economic plan.
Under my tenure as chair, it is true that we spent more money than we took in. However, we always maintained ample reserve funds, and our outreach spending resulted in very tangible results.
Our membership grew by over 1200% from 2011 to 2013, and the number of registered Libertarians in Florida grew by 10%. Because of the influx of new, energized members, we achieved multiple media victories, including statewide coverage of our red light camera opposition and national coverage of our TSA protests.
We created a legislative committee to introduce and promote state legislation, and recruited lobbyists to work the bills in Tallahassee. This directly resulted in the passage of the “Freedom From Unwarranted Surveillance Act” which drastically limited drone use over Florida skies. We were the first state in the nation to do so. The bill was written by and lobbied for by the LPF. We also helped introduce and lobbied for many other bills during that time, including the “Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act,” as well as a bills to repeal Real ID and Red Light Cameras.
We raised the LPF from obscurity, to a powerful force in state government in a short period of time.
The current LPF leadership is continuing to successfully build the party, and increase both our membership and political influence. Our legislative efforts continue with the introduction of an industrial hemp bill in the 2014 session, written by Bill Wohlsifer, our Florida Attorney General candidate. The LPF is working with state legislators now on the introduction of several other bills to promote liberty in Florida.
Second, there is absolutely NO central planning in my economic policy whatsoever. My proposals consist of cutting the budget, eliminating property taxes for homeowners, cutting regulation, prosecuting fraud, and asserting state sovereignty to nullify unconstitutional federal interference in Florida’s economy. I encourage you to review it for yourself at http://wyllieforgovernor.com/issues-2/economic-plan/
I would sincerely welcome a robust primary challenge, as it would create more interest in the LPF. A hard-fought statewide primary would be one more step toward achieving equal footing with Republicans and Democrats. Unfortunately, John Wayne Smith is not actively campaigning or fundraising. Very few in the LPF see him as a viable candidate. I am beginning to doubt that his name will appear on the primary ballot (Florida law requires closed primary elections for both major and minor parties). Joe Wendt is running as Smith’s Lt. Governor.
The only bridges that I’ve burned are with people who are determined to ensure the LPF remains a irrelevant debate club, rather than a viable political party. These same people continue to disparage the dedication and hard work of the overwhelming majority of the current LPF leadership and members.
January I mean
Last month JWS spoke at the LP Broward County meeting, he’s slowly campaigning and trying his best to get the message out.
Maybe we just aren’t getting the news of Smith campaigning? If anyone knows what his campaign is doing, please let us know.
I will be supporting Adrian Wyllie in the primary and the general election. From my perspective he has always worked hard for the Libertarian Party. He served as Alex Snitker’s campaign manager.
Yes. So did LaBianca and Stone.
JWS has burned a lot of bridges himself. From all I’ve read about him, I don’t understand whey anyone is even considering supporting him. Did Alex George drop out?
Sounds solid 🙂
I heard a rumor that someone from Broward that has money is planning a run. I did get a name though.
Only Smith and Wyllie. Several others talked about running but decided against it.
Agreed. I haven’t seen nearly as much evidence of Smith actively campaigning to the general public.
Last I heard there were a few other Libertarians running for the governor candidacy. Can someone update us, please?
Then there is probably still time for another L to make sufficient noise and challenge him for the nomination. But, if someone seriously intends to do so, they better get started now.
Aug 26 according to http://election.dos.state.fl.us/voting/voting-info.shtml
Wyllie seems to be the only L running a real campaign. I would think that would be a pretty big advantage in a primary.
When is the primary?
I doubt most of the people voting in the primary have any idea about that inside baseball stuff.
Wyllie has burned too many bridges for the reasons LPF Member pointed out and Wyllie’s inner-circle tend to alienate or piss off people in the same way.
Never mind, it’s on another thread
What happened to the pingback from Wohlsifer’s site? I just approved it and then it disappeared and is not in trash either.
Why do you believe that?
Interesting that he showed up and they actually let him participate.
Wyllie will not win in a primary. Whether it’s John Wayne Smith or someone else.
Did the economic plan involve centrally planning the economy?
Adrian Wyllie had a pretty tough time running the state party when he was Chair in Florida. It was the “Adrian Show” from what I’ve heard. His poor leadership resulted in the party almost dissolving altogether and the party spent way more money than it took in during his time as Chair. He also managed to alienate many hard working activists through his “My way or the high way” management approach.
If anyone has seen his website, he has a “7 point Economic Plan”. Any real Libertarian knows that no Governor can centrally plan the economy.
http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/attorney-general-candidates-clash-medical-marijuana-and-same-sex-marriage
http://miamilibertarian.wordpress.com/2014/01/30/miami-libertarian-party-gets-first-electoral-victory/
Adrian’s tenacity is commendable.
I hope he’s successful in garnering more and more media attention as it becomes obvious to everyone except the major media that most Americans want a third choice.
Good that the LP is getting some coverage.
I am glad to see Adrian Wyllie is running an active campaign and getting more attention.