For Immediate Release Monday, October 13, 2014
Libertarians suffered a major setback in their lawsuit against KET on Saturday. David Patterson, the Libertarian candidate for United States Senate, will not be allowed to participate in Monday’s debate.
Judge Van Tatenhove issued a ruling against the emergency injunction filed by the Libertarian Party of Kentucky and the campaign of David Patterson for United States Senate on Saturday. LPKY and Patterson had filed suit against KET after an Open Records Request showed that KET continually shifted criteria for inclusion in Monday’s debate.
David Patterson expressed frustration with the ruling. ‘I’m running the best campaign that I can. I don’t have $50M worth of out-of-state special interest money. My campaign has always been about regular Kentuckians, and that’s who has lost today. KET has testified under oath that their mission and values statements don’t apply to the decisions they make. They intend to apply a financial threshold to all future criteria. That means you must be rich or have rich friends to even stand a chance. Kentuckians now have their hard-earned tax dollars being used to deprive them of knowing their options when they walk into the ballot box.’
Ken Moellman, State Chair of the Libertarian Party, expressed disgust. ‘It is extremely disappointing that the court has said state entities can re-write the rules in the middle of the game. KET testified under oath that Grimes and McConnell were invited without any criteria, while David Patterson was scrutinized under an ever-increasing set of criteria. This isn’t even about Libertarians, it’s everyone who’s not part of the Old Parties. The First Amendment now only applies to the ‘chosen ones’. Welcome to the illusion of choice. Welcome to the oligarchy.’
LPKY State Vice Chair Dave Capano said, ‘The battle for Liberty in Kentucky is far from over. While this ruling is disappointing, it just adds fuel to the fire that brings more Kentuckians to our cause. This verdict is just more proof as to just how our system works and why we will continue to be the change the country is looking for.’
Despite his exclusion, Patterson will be on the ballot for United States Senate, in addition to other Libertarians seeking various local office throughout the state.
KET will present a debate with 2/3rds of the ballot listed candidates on Monday, depriving Kentuckians of the opportunity to learn about 1/3rd of their choices.
David Patterson is the Libertarian Party of Kentucky’s 2014 U.S. Senate Candidate. More information about David Patterson’s campaign can be found at david4senate.com .
The Libertarian Party is the third largest party in Kentucky. Founded in 1973, LPKY promotes individual liberty though free markets and social tolerance. Its website is LPKY.org .
