Libertarian Gubernatorial Candidate threatens Florida Press Association and Florida Association of News Editors

The Florida Press Association (FPA) and the Florida Society of News Editors (FNSE) will be hosting a Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on July 10th, 2014. However, not all candidates have been invited. It appears that at least one candidate for governor will not be attending the forum and he is not happy. He has threatened the FPA and FNSE, but is that a good political move?

Given the public’s growing wariness and outright distrust of the media at new highs, this candidate may be on to something.

Graphic contained in email sent to supporters. For a larger view click on the image.

In an email to supporters Adrian Wyllie, the Libertarian candidate for Florida Governor, writes, “As the only third-party candidate for Florida’s governor, I am extremely disappointed in your failure to include me in your upcoming gubernatorial candidate forum at the 2014 FPA/FSNE Convention. Your exclusion of a viable third-party candidate is unacceptable, and exposes an entrenched bias in the FPA/FSNE approach to political coverage.”

“The criteria you have created make it absolutely impossible for any minor party candidate to participate, by its very definition. According to your stated rules, in order to be included, ‘a candidate must belong to a party that has at least 5% of the registered voters in Florida.’ The legal definition of a minor party in Florida is one that has less than 5% of the registered voters in the state. Therefore, your criteria guarantee that only Republican and Democrat candidates can participate,” Wyllie notes.

Wyllie concludes with, “Therefore, I refuse to accept your rules, and I present you with the following ultimatum. I will attend the FPA/FSNE Gubernatorial Forum on July 10th in Coral Gables. You may either allow me to participate in the forum, or you may have me arrested. You have no third option…As you have denied the people of Florida a third option. Govern yourselves accordingly.”

It would appear that Mr. Wyllie has a point. Florida law defines a viable party candidate. I for one would like to hear what Mr. Wyllie has to say. In politics the more the merrier and is makes for great news stories afterwards.

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