David Riley

@rilzd

There isn't a member of the Libertarian Party serving in Congress.

Tony D'Orazio thinks that could change this election year — right here in Monroe County.

He is petitioning to run for the 25th Congressional District this fall on the Libertarian Party line. D'Orazio would face 15-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-Fairport, Republican Gates Supervisor Mark Assini and independent Brandon Kirshner, who also is working to secure a spot on the ballot.

D'Orazio, 44, an information technology manager who lives in East Rochester, believes a third-party candidate has a fighting chance.

"I think this is a year when change really could happen, especially given the voters’ displeasure with what’s on the top of the ticket for the two major parties,” he said this week.

D'Orazio has no formal experience in government or politics, and he's framing that as a strength, saying there are too many career politicians in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the Greater Rochester Libertarian Party.

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He said he started voting Libertarian in the 1990s after becoming dissatisfied with Democrats and Republicans. He likes the party's conservatism on fiscal issues and government, but its more liberal take on social issues like gay marriage. "There's a way you can have both," he said.

On the economy, D'Orazio said he doesn't think it is government's place to stimulate or prop up specific businesses. Instead, he would look to cut corporate taxes, arguing that this could make it easier to start businesses across the board.

D'Orazio also is concerned about government surveillance in the age of the PATRIOT Act and he said he will work to restore citizens' privacy rights. And while he said he doesn't use marijuana, D'Orazio said he plans to campaign to decriminalize it.

"Prohibition isn't working anyway," he said.

Third-party candidates often face an uphill fight against better-funded opponents whose campaign accounts can help get their message out. Slaughter reported nearly $982,000 in cash on hand in her most recent campaign finance report. Assini lagged with a little less than $71,000. Kirshner had about $1,200, while D'Orazio reported no financial activity.

Independent candidates for federal office need to gather 3,500 signatures to get on the Nov. 8 ballot. Petitions must be filed no later than Aug. 2.

The 25th Congressional District includes most of Monroe County.

DRILEY@Gannett.com