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JOHNSON CAMPAIGN CHARGES REPUBLICANS

ARE ENGAGING IN “SERIAL CHALLENGES”

TO KEEP LIBERTARIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

OFF BALLOTS IN KEY STATES

August 31, 2012, Santa Fe, NM — With word Friday that a challenge has been lodged in Ohio to try to remove Libertarian presidential candidate and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson’s name from the November ballot in Ohio, a senior advisor to Johnson’s campaign is charging that the national Republican Party is mounting a concerted effort to “deny citizens the right to vote for the candidate of their choice.”

In recent weeks, with the full support and legal assistance of the Republican Party, Johnson’s ballot status has been challenged in Michigan, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Iowa and now Ohio.

Ron Nielson, senior advisor to Gov. Johnson, said in a statement released Friday, “The national Republican Party may not want to publicly acknowledge the presence of a true fiscal conservative in this race, but they are certainly taking Gov. Johnson seriously enough to engage in a concerted campaign to get his name off ballots in key states before voters even get a chance to vote.

“In states across the nation, Republican operatives, lawyers, and in some cases, elected officials, are filing frivolous challenges to Governor Johnson’s ballot status. They know that even if their challenges fail, fending them off is a drain on our resources and a distraction from the real issues in this campaign. We don’t have hundreds of millions of dollars to throw around, nor do we have the Republicans’ endless supply of lawyers.

“We have dealt with many challenges in this campaign from the major parties, who clearly don’t want voters to have a viable third option in this election, but this attack on voting rights and democracy is over the top.

“Governor Johnson has made it clear that we will fight every one of these challenges and do everything in our power to be on the ballot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The prospect of a successful two-term governor who is a proven fiscal conservative and champion of social tolerance may be a thorn in the sides of the two so-called major parties, but Governor Johnson will not be deterred in his effort to give voters a real choice in November.”

NOTE TO EDITORS/REPORTERS: For more information regarding ballot challenges in various states, please see:

Judge to Rule on Libertarian Ballot Case Tuesday

Two Ohio Voters Challenge Gary Johnson Ballot Status

Republicans Trying to Boot Gary Johnson from Pennsylvania Ballot

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About presidential candidate Gary Johnson: Gary Johnson, two-term governor of New Mexico from 1995-2003, has been a consistent advocate for limited, efficient government and personal liberty. Johnson switched from the Republican Party to the Libertarian Party on Dec. 28, 2011. As the Libertarian Party nominee, Johnson will appear on all 50 states’ ballots. An outspoken pro-Constitution Libertarian, Johnson would end the war in Afghanistan now. He opposes the failed multi-billion dollar war on drugs and demands greater transparency at the Federal Reserve. As president, Johnson would cut federal spending by 43 percent, slash debt and make government live within its means while reducing taxes and regulation to foster real job creation and economic opportunity like he did in eight years as governor. The National Review said he was “#1” in job creation as governor. An avid skier and bicyclist, he has reached the highest peaks on four of the seven continents, including Mount Everest.

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