I respect the hard work and expansive spirit that made Coleman for Governor the most interesting and exciting thing to come out of the Arkansas GOP in my lifetime. But the truth is, I would cherish that work ethic and that spirit continuing with Gilbert for Governor!—Frank Gilbert
Earlier this year, I wrote my first article for the LPAR Blog, Why I left. It was a short explanation for why I left the Republican Party to join the Libertarian Party. While not completely identical, I feel that my reasoning for swapping parties relates to what happened in Arkansas on May 20th.
I already identified as a libertarian, but I still believed that the GOP was the best vehicle to implement libertarian policies. I was wrong. After leaving the GOP, mainly because of how they treated Ron Paul at the 2012 convention, by changing the rules at the last minute to prevent him from fighting Romney for the nomination, I joined the Libertarian Party.
After being called a Paulbot by fellow Republicans, I knew that I wasn’t welcome in the GOP; only my vote was. Well, I decided that I would take my vote somewhere else. Today, I ask Coleman supporters to do the same. I cannot tell you how appalled I have been at the treatment from other Republicans towards Coleman supporters online. From calling them Colemanistas (whatever that means), to making fun of how bad they were going to lose to Asa Hutchinson, I knew how Coleman supporters must have felt.
Asa has already asked Coleman supporters to join his campaign, and Curtis has endorsed Asa (sort of). Curtis promised he would, and he is a stand up guy for keeping his word, but remember that your vote still belongs to you. You decide.
Now, I won’t pretend that there aren’t some differences between Curtis and Frank Gilbert, but they are minute when compared to the differences between Curtis and Asa. Curtis and Asa disagree on BIG issues: Obamacare, school choice, common core, and minimum wage.
Looking at what Curtis’ campaign was about (Let Arkansas Prosper), it’s clear which candidate stands closer to Curtis Coleman supporters: Frank Gilbert.
We will gladly welcome Coleman supporters to both the Gilbert campaign and the Libertarian Party of Arkansas.
—Tyler Harrison, At-Large Member, LPAR Executive Committee
