Delaware Libertarians Use Fusion for First Time

On August 23, the Delaware Libertarian Party held its nominating convention. It nominated a registered Libertarian for U.S. House, Mark Anthony Parks. For two seats in the state House, it nominated candidates who are also the Republican nominees. They are Tyler Nixon in the 4th district, and Jesse Priester in the 23rd district. They will each be on the November ballot twice, and voters who want to vote for them can choose either party label.

The Libertarian Party of Delaware tried to use fusion in 1994, when a registered Libertarian, John M. Reda, won the Republican primary for state house, district 13. He was also the Libertarian nominee. But the Attorney General ruled that Delaware did not permit fusion, so Reda kept his Libertarian nomination and the Republicans had no nominee.

Later, the Attorney General changed his mind. But in the years since, the only Delaware minor party that has engaged in fusion had been the Independent Party. The Working Families Party tried to use it, but all the Democrats who earned the WFP’s support declined the WFP nomination, on orders from the Democratic Party state organization. Thanks to LastFreeVoice for the news about the Delaware Libertarian convention.

Michael H. Drucker
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