May 1998
Carl Strang wins 10% in expensive Florida race
Despite loss, ex-mayor "makes mark" for Libertarian Party in Florida politics
Outspent more than 15 to one, LP candidate Carl Strang nonetheless won 10% of the vote in a fiercely contested, three-way partisan race for State Senate in Florida.Strang, the former mayor of Winter Haven, saw his $49,000 campaign budget dwarfed by the $763,000 spent by his Republican and Democratic opponents in the March 10 special election -- but managed to "mobilize volunteers, bring new members to our party, and get thousands of people to vote Libertarian for the first time," said state party secretary Tom Regnier.
"The Strang campaign clearly established the Libertarian Party as a factor in state politics," he said.
Strang credited a "grassroots effort" for his strong showing -- and said his campaign sent a message to the older parties.
"We started with no party organization to speak of and a great deal less money than our opponents, but we had a true grassroots effort and a message that spoke to many people," he said. "This should be a wake-up call to the powers in Tallahassee that the Libertarian Party is on the march."
During his campaign, Strang stressed the themes of lower taxes, less government, and greater freedom -- and emphasized the similarities between his two "tax-and-spend" opponents. He promised, if elected, to work to cut the state sales tax.
"We have lost the race, but won the battle," said acting State Chair Brian Collar. "In a district with only a few registered Libertarians, 3,277 [people] voted Libertarian. Today the battle to restore the rights of the people of Florida has advanced."
