In a surprise decision, Republican Sharron Angle announced she will not participate in the upcoming special election in Nevada's 2nd District.
"Current outcomes concerning the special election have made this election in Nevada an illegitimate process that disenfranchises the electorate," Angle said in a statement. "Clearly, no solution that the Supreme Court can make will correct the injury to free and open elections caused by ambiguous laws and subsequent lawsuits."
"Current outcomes concerning the special election have made this election in Nevada an illegitimate process that disenfranchises the electorate," Angle said in a statement. "Clearly, no solution that the Supreme Court can make will correct the injury to free and open elections caused by ambiguous laws and subsequent lawsuits."
The 2010 Senate nominee had been mum on her intentions since a District Court judge ruled against a "ballot royale" option, giving her virtually no chance of winning the GOP nomination under a system in which party nominees are by party insiders. Nevada's Democratic Secretary of State Ross Miller has appealed the decision to the state Supreme Court.
"I do not have any desire to participate in a process described by others as a 'ballot royale' or a situation where the party central committees choose their nominees because it makes a mockery of the most important constitutional element in exercising freedom," Angle continued. "Voter participation has been preempted in either case by disallowing primary elections, or in allowing a select group of people to make a decision who otherwise would not be allowed to vote in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District. The longer this drags out the more it will become a contest of bank accounts and negative campaigning based on personal attacks instead of the important issues that face Nevada and our country."
Angle didn't say whether she would still be a candidate in the regularly scheduled general election next fall, but did say she is "not ruling out a future run for office" and "will be making additional announcements soon detailing my plans."
Angle's decision is welcome news for Republicans in the state. If Angle had decided run and failed to get the nomination and then elected to run as an independent candidate, she could have split the Republican vote, creating an opening for a Democratic candidate in the GOP-leaning seat. And if the earlier court ruling is overturned and the all-party primary is reinstated, Angle's absence removes the possibility of he siphoning off support from other Republicans - alleviating another GOP worry. Filing began Wednesday, and the election is scheduled for September 13. Republican candidates include state GOP chair Mark Amodei, state Sen. Greg Brower and former USS Cole Cmdr. Kirk Lippold. Democrats include state Treasurer Kate Marshall, former state party chair Jill Derby and former education regent Nancy Price.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/05/angle-won-t-run-in-nv-02-special-election-25
"I do not have any desire to participate in a process described by others as a 'ballot royale' or a situation where the party central committees choose their nominees because it makes a mockery of the most important constitutional element in exercising freedom," Angle continued. "Voter participation has been preempted in either case by disallowing primary elections, or in allowing a select group of people to make a decision who otherwise would not be allowed to vote in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District. The longer this drags out the more it will become a contest of bank accounts and negative campaigning based on personal attacks instead of the important issues that face Nevada and our country."
Angle didn't say whether she would still be a candidate in the regularly scheduled general election next fall, but did say she is "not ruling out a future run for office" and "will be making additional announcements soon detailing my plans."
Angle's decision is welcome news for Republicans in the state. If Angle had decided run and failed to get the nomination and then elected to run as an independent candidate, she could have split the Republican vote, creating an opening for a Democratic candidate in the GOP-leaning seat. And if the earlier court ruling is overturned and the all-party primary is reinstated, Angle's absence removes the possibility of he siphoning off support from other Republicans - alleviating another GOP worry. Filing began Wednesday, and the election is scheduled for September 13. Republican candidates include state GOP chair Mark Amodei, state Sen. Greg Brower and former USS Cole Cmdr. Kirk Lippold. Democrats include state Treasurer Kate Marshall, former state party chair Jill Derby and former education regent Nancy Price.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/05/angle-won-t-run-in-nv-02-special-election-25