Running for statewide office is one of the best ways to build a state affiliate from a handful of activists to an effective statewide party organization. A statewide campaign in 2010 is also the best way to set our presidential ticket up for success in 2012. However, in most states it involves petitioning of statewide ballot access.

Someone contacted me this weekend asking this question about the Boston Tea Party: "I read your platform. The inevitable result of the obtainment of your goals would be a situation where corporate power goes unchecked. Is this something that your group is comfortable with?"

I thought many of you might be interested in hearing my reply about this important issue. Here is part of it:

Jeremy Boggess, an independent candidate for State Senate in the state of Idaho sent me a web site he established to help independent and third party candidates collaborate, specifically to discuss cost/space sharing at events.

This may seem like a dumb question considering that our constitutional republic has failed, as the Constitution has been largely ignored by the federal government for nearly a century. However, if we did stick to the Constitution, and even if we amended it, would that even be enough to guarantee our freedom?

I have recently joined a local Constitution study group, so I am considering these questions as I read Michael Badnarik's Good to be King, the Heritage Guide to the Constitution, and other assorted resources about the founding document.

According to Ballot Access News, Texas will hold a special election for U.S. Senate on May 8, 2010.

No petition is needed for special elections in Texas, so anyone who pays a filing fee can be on the May 2010 ballot, with a party label. If no one gets 50%, a run-off will be held on June 2.

If you are a citizen of the state of Texas and are interested in running for the U.S. Senate, please contact the Boston Tea Party of Texas.

This Friday from 6-8pm ET on Peace Freedom & Prosperity Movement Radio guests will be Douglass Gaking, Chair of the Boston Tea Party National Committee, Adam Kokesh who is running for congress out of New Mexico, and Dr. Paul Cwik (Director of Economics at Mount Olive University) Please Call In To The Show On 347-633-9636

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pfpmovementradio

From Ballot Access News:

Utah Will Hold Special Gubernatorial Election in 2010

Utah will hold a special gubernatorial election in 2010, because the Governor elected in 2008, Jon Huntsman, has resigned to become Ambassador to China. The 2010 election will be the first special gubernatorial election in Utah history.

Ballot Access News (May 9, 2009) – Here is a list of all known pending lawsuits in which a minor party or independent candidate is challenging the constitutionality of a state’s ballot access laws:

Alabama: a decision is expected at any time in Shugart v Chapman, pending in U.S. District Court. The issue is the number of signatures for independent candidates for U.S. House.

Perhaps as people filled out their tax forms this week, they remembered again just how fed up they are with big government. I have had a full inbox every day this week with BTP members eager to get involved in actively supporting the party and starting some new affiliates.

Many mainstream media sources have ignored the passing of Marilyn Chambers, but it's great to see that those who have recognized her this week have had so many positive things to say about her film work as well as her political involvement. Here are some examples from a few publications that have reported on her passing this week.

After profiling her film career, Reason Magazine "Hit & Run" said this of her libertarian activism: