Dear Mark,

After a hard day of collecting signatures and talking to voters about my upcoming campaign, I was rather excited to see the piece Baird Helgeson penned for the Star Tribune about your ‘strong libertarian impulses’. The fact that you vacillate between Libertarian and Liberal on a daily basis is one of the many reasons I’ve stepped forward to run, as an option for Minnesotans who want someone who doesn’t waver on liberty. Over 50% of the voters polled have stated they want more choices on the ballot, which is an inherently libertarian position. Furthermore, when asked to identify themselves, a growing population of people state they are “fiscally conservative, and socially liberal”, a.k.a. libertarian.

Among these people are Millennials, who are disenfranchised with the status quo of present day politics. Politicians often misrepresent themselves to gain favor with specific groups or simply to get votes, and both major parties have been guilty of this in the past. Again, people want more choices. And while your fiscal actions have rarely been libertarian — read the massive Vikings Stadium subsidy, the $2.1 billion dollar tax increase, your move to unionize the daycare workers by executive edict, or the abdication of the marijuana bill to special interests — I’m glad that you are adopting freedom and liberty, taking our platform and criticisms seriously, and rethinking some of your old beliefs.

Here’s the thing: my party, the Libertarian Party of Minnesota, and my friends, family and co-workers have been collecting thousands of signatures to gain our candidates access to the ballot in November. Despite the obstruction of your government, from timelines to arrests, we’ve met our goal and will be turning them into the Secretary of State today, along with our other independent comrades in the Green Party, etc. This is grassroots politics in action!

Unfortunately, even though we have talked with literally thousands of Minnesotans (and will talk to many thousands more by November), and they want to hear from MORE candidates like me, at this time I and the other Libertarian candidates will not be allowed to participate in any of the televised debates. Honestly Mark, that’s not very libertarian.

What I’m asking from you, my Libertarian Brother, is that you advocate for the libertarian idea of free speech and transparency in government by supporting the inclusion of me and the other minor parties in all candidate debates this year. I know you’re only one man, but you’re the man in charge. Someone of your stature protesting the exclusion of debate and refusing to participate until free and open (more libertarian) electoral practices are followed would be a great step towards a BETTER MINNESOTA and the causes of free speech and electoral transparency.

I look forward to hearing from you and discussing the issues this election cycle.

Your friend in Liberty,

Chris Holbrook

Libertarian Candidate for Governor