Posted at LP.org:
Jeff Caldwell, the 2018 Libertarian candidate for governor of Kansas
The Emporia Gazette ran a feature story on Libertarian Jeff Caldwell’s bid for governor of Kansas. Here, we excerpt from the article, “Caldwell favors legal cannabis, small government,” by Lydia Kautz (July 17, 2018):
Libertarian candidate for governor Jeff Caldwell became a libertarian in 2010, after a series of videos detailing government corruption helped sway his political belief system. He knows what he intends to do if elected.
“The first thing that I will do is pardon all nonviolent cannabis offenses,” he said. “I believe I’m the only candidate that has publicly stated this.”
Caldwell said this will benefit Kansas monetarily, as he said the state is spending roughly $20 million annually to prosecute these offenders and keep them incarcerated.
“That would help with our budget crisis, and we need to look at legalization of cannabis,” he said. “I know that I personally won’t be able to do that as governor, but I will actually work with both sides of the aisle in order to bring a bill to my desk.”
Caldwell said he’s running with hopes of cutting government spending. He wants to cut taxes — namely, he wants to abolish the sales tax on food and water and [to] lower taxes on private property.
“We are in a deficit crisis,” he said. “The state has actually borrowed money the past three budgets…in order to cover the budget gap. I will be looking at the cronyism, the backdoor deals…. [We] need to end the corruption that has occurred from the government growing too big with the big corporations. We also need to stop back-scratching politicians.”
What this implies, to Caldwell, is getting elected officials to work for their constituents instead of themselves.
“A lot of politicians don’t vote for a certain bill because they don’t get a certain cut of the check,” he said. “And I think that’s corruption as well. So I’m running to abolish the corruption within government.….”
He believes his platform and the stance of the Libertarian Party represent the views of most of the people who would become his constituents.
“I have four planks that make me a complete package that represents most Kansans: cutting government spending, cutting taxes, legalizing cannabis, and defending the second amendment,” Caldwell said.
He feels he can bridge the widening gap between the two sides of the aisle.
“I will support both sides, but only if it brings more prosperity and liberty to Kansans and the United States,” Caldwell said. “There are a few things both Republicans and Democrats agree on.”
These include, he said, abolishing civil asset forfeiture and sales tax on food and water. Even on issues where there is disagreement, Caldwell feels he can encourage cooperation.
“You’ve got to look at all angles of each issue instead of [being] black and white,” he said.
Click here to read the full article at the Emporia Gazette’s website.
Caldwell, who ran in 2014 for the District 36 seat of the Kansas house of representatives, faces four opponents in the 2018 governor’s race: one Democrat, one Republican, and two independents.
Learn more about Jeff Caldwell for Governor and Mary Gerlt for Lieutenant Governor, at their campaign website, CaldwellForKansas.com.
Nationwide, approximately 800 Libertarian candidates are offering voters bold Libertarian solutions in the election this fall. Learn more about these candidates at LP.org/2018-candidates.