Libertarian Candidate Files Complaint Over Debate Exclusion

Libertarian Candidate Files Complaint with Wisconsin Government Accountability Board over Debate Inclusion

Robert Burke, Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate representing the Libertarian Party, asserts televised debate that excludes third parties is tantamount to a highly valuable commercial for the two party system candidates.

July 8, 2014 - Hudson, WI

Libertarian candidate for Governor, Robert Burke, announced today an effort to address exclusions and inequities of public access to Libertarian candidates for office.  The effort began last week with a letter to the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) suggesting a new and simple criterion for inclusion in the debates; ask the voters whom they want to see.  At its heart, the campaign believes exclusion of candidates from the debates and polls may result in illegal in-kind donations associated with the debate system as it stands.

“The pollsters and WBA can continue to act like I won't impact the race but, based on the current neck and neck 45% polling limited to the red and blue team candidates, my guess is there could be a very big surprise November 4th,” explained Burke.  “Like it or not I’m on the ballot November 4th and I will impact the race.”

The campaign submitted a complaint on the 4th of July to the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board asserting that a debate without Libertarian Candidate Robert Burke and People’s Party Candidate Dennis Fehr amounts to a commercial for the two party system candidates in amounts exceeding any and all state or federal election limits.

Andy Craig, Libertarian Candidate for Secretary of State, submitted the complaint on behalf of the Burke campaign.  “The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association's board is clearly populated by supporters of the two party paradigm.  We don’t expect them to create useful and realistic criteria for inclusion such as ballot access and ability to present a coherent message to the voters.  So our hope is they will instead use the simple criteria: what parties and candidates do the people want to hear from?  After all, that is the stated purpose of the debates according to the WBA's letter.”

In a letter released to Burke’s campaign June 25th, David Sanks of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, the sponsoring organization of previous televised Gubernatorial Debates, said plainly the goal is to educate voters.

"It is our goal to provide a forum to educate voters on the issues in the campaign.  It is not our responsibility, however, to elevate a candidate or provide a platform for a candidate or political party who is seeking publicity and exposure through the debate to introduce them and their issues to the voters of Wisconsin."

“I am going to disagree with Mr. Sanks on his second point,” said Burke.  “It is implicitly the Wisconsin broadcasters’ responsibility, according to the FCC mandate, to broadcast in the public interest.  Something tells me the interest is currently based on the money candidates aggregate and spend at Wisconsin television and radio stations rather than public interest of educating voters about their choices.”

Burke says he is running a grassroots, donation-less campaign, focusing on bringing together disaffected voting segments in Wisconsin, such as marijuana reformers, the heavily unemployed youth vote, and other pro-liberty groups. 

“If I’m elected Governor, it will be because I have better ideas, not more TV commercials.  I don’t want anyone to question that I was bought by anyone, so I reject the fundraising premise.  I raised eleven candidates on the ballot, that’s the fundraising of real leadership.”

The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin is the state's third largest political party with twelve candidates running for office this fall. Visit www.lpwi.org for more information.