For the second time in two years, Louisville businessman Ed Martin is running as a Libertarian candidate for the 3rd District congressional seat. The small business owner joins Republican candidate Todd Lally, Independent Michael Hansen and U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, a Democrat, who is seeking his third term in office.
In 2008, Martin’s candidacy was challenged in court by the GOP because he was officially registered as a Republican voter at the time. The Kentucky Court of Appeals agreed and ruled that Martin couldn’t run.
In interviews with the press, Martin has said he’s socially liberal and fiscally conservative, but political observers are already speculating that his entry into the race will hurt Lally, who is solidly conservative on a number of issues.
However, unlike before, Republicans have embraced Martin’s entry into the race — for now.
From cn|2 Politics:
“At this critical junction in our country’s history, we need people with great ideas and we want to welcome Mr. Martin to the race,” said Jay Hill, Lally’s campaign manager. “Because in the long run this race is about Americas future and we need all the idea we can get.”
