Deceased 3rd-party candidate reportedly tapped by Republicans to undermine Angie Craig
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Adam Weeks was never going to win Minnesota’s 2nd District seat in Congress, but the deceased Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate has had an outsize effect on the race.
His death in September from an apparent accidental fentanyl overdose set off a legal battle over whether the contest should be delayed until February. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that it won’t be. Now, according to a published report, Weeks left a voicemail for a friend in which he said he was recruited to the race by Republicans solely to siphon votes away from Democratic Rep. Angie Craig in a competitive suburban-to-rural district south of the Twin Cities.
The Star Tribune reported that it obtained a voicemail that Weeks left for his friend, Joey Hudson, four weeks before Weeks died last month. In the recording, which the newspaper said Hudson gave them, the man identified as Weeks said Republican operatives approached him in the hopes he’d “pull votes away” from Craig and give an advantage to the “other guy,” Tyler Kistner, the GOP-endorsed candidate.
Democrats have accused GOP operatives of recruiting third-party candidates such as Weeks to siphon off votes that would otherwise go to Democratic candidates in a number of races across Minnesota and the rest of the country. Hip-hop star and fashion mogul Kanye West, a fan of President Donald Trump, got on the presidential ballot in Minnesota and several other states with help from GOP operatives but denied being a spoiler.
“I swear to God to you, I’m not kidding, this is no joke,” the man the Star Tribune identified as Weeks said. The paper said his voice was confirmed by his cousin and through independent comparison to other videos he posted online before his death. “They want me to run as a third-party, liberal candidate, which I’m down. I can play the liberal, you know that.”
Hudson did not immediately return a message Wednesday from the Associated Press. Spokesmen for the Craig and Kistner campaigns declined to comment.
But Brian Evans, a spokesman for Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, told the AP that Republicans have recruited or are suspected of recruiting several candidates to run as Legal Marijuana Now or other third-party candidates across Minnesota. Legal Marijuana Now has major party status in the state and is thus entitled to ballot spots.
“There are not that many third-party candidates running, and if you look at where they’re running it’s disproportionately in some of the most competitive districts in Minnesota,” Evans said. “It’s clear that Republicans are recruiting a lot of these folks. It’s beyond clear.”
The party put out a statement Wednesday listing several races in which Democrats believe, based on media reports, that Republicans have engaged in a coordinated effort to recruit third-party candidates to pull votes away from Democrats in close races.
“Running fake candidates to trick people out of their votes is a new low and shows how desperate Minnesota Republicans are,” Evans said.
Condemning the GOP tactic as “unconscionable” were leaders of three of the top pro-legalization groups in the state, Minnesotans for Responsible Marijuana Regulation, Sensible Change MN and MN NORML.
“The efforts of the marijuana legalization parties has been hijacked by Republican operatives seeking to game the system,” they said. “Placing Republican foils on the ballot under the guise of serving as legalization advocates sows distrust of what is supposed to be a democratic system.
A Minnesota GOP spokesman did not immediately return messages seeking comment Wednesday.
Craig first ran for the seat in 2016, losing to a Republican by two points with a third-party candidate drawing nearly 8 percent. Two years later, without a third-party candidate, Craig beat the same Republican by 5 points in a rematch.
Deceased 3rd-party candidate reportedly tapped by Republicans to undermine Angie Craig Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Reddit (Opens in
Legal Marijuana Now Party
| Legal Marijuana Now Party | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | St. Paul, Minn. |
| Type: | Political party |
| Top official: | Charles Michael Ford, Chair |
| Year founded: | 1998 |
| Website: | Official website |
Contents
- 1 Background
- 1.1 Ballot access for political parties
- 2 Platform
- 3 Rules and bylaws
- 4 Convention
- 5 Leadership
- 6 Recent news
- 7 See also
- 8 External links
- 9 Footnotes
The Legal Marijuana Now Party is a political party in Minnesota that is dedicated to electing pro-cannabis candidates. The group is headquartered in St. Paul, Minn. [1] As of September 2019, it was a ballot-qualified party in Minnesota.
Background
Legal Marijuana Now was organized as a community movement in 1998 in order to coordinate petitions to place pro-cannabis candidates on Minnesota ballots. The group traces its roots to the Grassroots Party, which was established in 1986 to oppose the war on drugs. Legal Marijuana Now earned recognition as a political party in the state when pro-cannabis candidate Dan R. Vacek earned 57,604 votes in the 2014 race for Minnesota attorney general. As of February 2016, the Legal Marijuana Now Party was a recognized minor political party on Minnesota. [1] [2] [3] [4]
The Legal Marijuana Now Party supported the candidacy of Zachary Phelps in the 2016 special election for Minnesota State Senate District 35. Phelps lost the election to Republican Jim Abeler. [5]
Ballot access for political parties
As of September 2019, there were 224 state-level ballot-qualified political party affiliates in the United States. [6] Some parties are recognized in multiple states. For example, both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party are recognized in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. These two parties account for 102 of the 224 total state-level parties. [7] [8] [9] Three minor parties were recognized in more than 10 states as of September 2019:
Although there are dozens of political parties in the United States, only certain parties qualify to have the names of their candidates for office printed on election ballots. In order to qualify for ballot placement, a party must meet certain requirements that vary from state to state. For example, in some states, a party may have to file a petition in order to qualify for ballot placement. In other states, a party must organize around a candidate for a specific office; that candidate must, in turn, win a percentage of the vote in order for the party to be granted ballot status. In still other states, an aspiring political party must register a certain number of voters.
The number of ballot-qualified political parties fluctuates as parties gain or lose qualified status. In addition, some states distinguish between major parties and minor parties. Specific differences between major and minor parties differ from state to state. For example, in all states, major parties are granted access to primary elections. Some states, however, do not permit minor parties to participate in primary elections. Consequently, minor party candidates in these states can run only in general elections. [7]
The table below lists all ballot-qualified political parties in each state as of September 2019. Click “[show]” to expand the table. [7]
| Ballot-qualified parties by state, September 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Political party | |
| Alabama | Democratic Party of Alabama | |
| Alabama | Republican Party of Alabama | |
| Alaska | Democratic Party of Alaska | |
| Alaska | Alaskan Independence Party | |
| Alaska | Republican Party of Alaska | |
| Arizona | Democratic Party of Arizona | |
| Arizona | Green Party of Arizona | |
| Arizona | Libertarian Party of Arizona | |
| Arizona | Republican Party of Arizona | |
| Arkansas | Democratic Party of Arkansas | |
| Arkansas | Libertarian Party of Arkansas | |
| Arkansas | Republican Party of Arkansas | |
| California | American Independent Party of California | |
| California | Democratic Party of California | |
| California | Green Party of California | |
| California | Libertarian Party of California | |
| California | Peace and Freedom Party of California | |
| California | Republican Party of California | |
| Colorado | American Constitution Party of Colorado | |
| Colorado | Democratic Party of Colorado | |
| Colorado | Green Party of Colorado | |
| Colorado | Libertarian Party of Colorado | |
| Colorado | Republican Party of Colorado | |
| Colorado | Unity Party of Colorado | |
| Connecticut | Democratic Party of Connecticut | |
| Connecticut | Green Party of Connecticut | |
| Connecticut | Independent Party of Connecticut | |
| Connecticut | Libertarian Party of Connecticut | |
| Connecticut | Republican Party of Connecticut | |
| Connecticut | Working Families Party of Connecticut | |
| Delaware | American Delta Party of Delaware | |
| Delaware | Democratic Party of Delaware | |
| Delaware | Green Party of Delaware | |
| Delaware | Independent Party of Delaware | |
| Delaware | Libertarian Party of Delaware | |
| Delaware | Republican Party of Delaware | |
| Florida | Democratic Party of Florida | |
| Florida | Republican Party of Florida | |
| Florida | Constitution Party of Florida | |
| Florida | Ecology Party of Florida | |
| Florida | Green Party of Florida | |
| Florida | Independent Party of Florida | |
| Florida | Libertarian Party of Florida | |
| Florida | Party for Socialism and Liberation | |
| Florida | Reform Party of Florida | |
| Georgia | Democratic Party of Georgia | |
| Georgia | Republican Party of Georgia | |
| Hawaii | Democratic Party of Hawaii | |
| Hawaii | Green Party of Hawaii | |
| Hawaii | Libertarian Party of Hawaii | |
| Hawaii | Republican Party of Hawaii | |
| Idaho | Constitution Party of Idaho | |
| Idaho | Democratic Party of Idaho | |
| Idaho | Libertarian Party of Idaho | |
| Idaho | Republican Party of Idaho | |
| Illinois | Democratic Party of Illinois | |
| Illinois | Republican Party of Illinois | |
| Indiana | Democratic Party of Indiana | |
| Indiana | Libertarian Party of Indiana | |
| Indiana | Republican Party of Indiana | |
| Iowa | Democratic Party of Iowa | |
| Iowa | Republican Party of Iowa | |
| Kansas | Democratic Party of Kansas | |
| Kansas | Libertarian Party of Kansas | |
| Kansas | Republican Party of Kansas | |
| Kentucky | Democratic Party of Kentucky | |
| Kentucky | Republican Party of Kentucky | |
| Louisiana | Democratic Party of Louisiana | |
| Louisiana | Green Party of Louisiana | |
| Louisiana | Independent Party of Louisiana | |
| Louisiana | Libertarian Party of Louisiana | |
| Louisiana | Republican Party of Louisiana | |
| Maine | Democratic Party of Maine | |
| Maine | Green Independent Party of Maine | |
| Maine | Libertarian Party of Maine | |
| Maine | Republican Party of Maine | |
| Maryland | Democratic Party of Maryland | |
| Maryland | Bread and Roses Party of Maryland | |
| Maryland | Republican Party of Maryland | |
| Massachusetts | Democratic Party of Massachusetts | |
| Massachusetts | Green-Rainbow Party of Massachusetts | |
| Massachusetts | Libertarian Party of Massachusetts | |
| Massachusetts | Republican Party of Massachusetts | |
| Michigan | Democratic Party of Michigan | |
| Michigan | Green Party of Michigan | |
| Michigan | Libertarian Party of Michigan | |
| Michigan | Natural Law Party of Michigan | |
| Michigan | Republican Party of Michigan | |
| Michigan | U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan | |
| Michigan | Working Class Party of Michigan | |
| Minnesota | Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota | |
| Minnesota | Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota | |
| Minnesota | Green Party of Minnesota | |
| Minnesota | Independence Party of Minnesota | |
| Minnesota | Legal Marijuana Now Party of Minnesota | |
| Minnesota | Libertarian Party of Minnesota | |
| Minnesota | Republican Party of Minnesota | |
| Mississippi | America First Party of Mississippi | |
| Mississippi | American Delta Party of Mississippi | |
| Mississippi | American Freedom Party of Mississippi | |
| Mississippi | Constitution Party of Mississippi | |
| Mississippi | Democratic Party of Mississippi | |
| Mississippi | Green Party of Mississippi | |
| Mississippi | Justice Party of Mississippi | |
| Mississippi | Libertarian Party of Mississippi | |
| Mississippi | Prohibition Party of Mississippi | |
| Mississippi | Natural Law Party of Mississippi | |
| Mississippi | Reform Party of Mississippi | |
| Mississippi | Republican Party of Mississippi | |
| Mississippi | Veterans Party of Mississippi | |
| Missouri | Constitution Party of Missouri | |
| Missouri | Democratic Party of Missouri | |
| Missouri | Green Party of Missouri | |
| Missouri | Libertarian Party of Missouri | |
| Missouri | Republican Party of Missouri | |
| Montana | Democratic Party of Montana | |
| Montana | Green Party of Montana | |
| Montana | Libertarian Party of Montana | |
| Montana | Republican Party of Montana | |
| Nebraska | Democratic Party of Nebraska | |
| Nebraska | Libertarian Party of Nebraska | |
| Nebraska | Republican Party of Nebraska | |
| Nevada | Democratic Party of Nevada | |
| Nevada | Independent American Party of Nevada | |
| Nevada | Libertarian Party of Nevada | |
| Nevada | Republican Party of Nevada | |
| New Hampshire | Democratic Party of New Hampshire | |
| New Hampshire | Libertarian Party of New Hampshire | |
| New Hampshire | Republican Party of New Hampshire | |
| New Jersey | Democratic Party of New Jersey | |
| New Jersey | Republican Party of New Jersey | |
| New Mexico | Better for America Party of New Mexico | |
| New Mexico | Constitution Party of New Mexico | |
| New Mexico | Democratic Party of New Mexico | |
| New Mexico | Green Party of New Mexico | |
| New Mexico | Libertarian Party of New Mexico | |
| New Mexico | Republican Party of New Mexico | |
| New York | Conservative Party of New York | |
| New York | Democratic Party of New York | |
| New York | Green Party of New York | |
| New York | Independence Party of New York | |
| New York | Libertarian Party of New York | |
| New York | Republican Party of New York | |
| New York | SAM Party of New York | |
| New York | Working Families Party of New York | |
| North Carolina | Constitution Party of North Carolina | |
| North Carolina | Democratic Party of North Carolina | |
| North Carolina | Green Party of North Carolina | |
| North Carolina | Libertarian Party of North Carolina | |
| North Carolina | Republican Party of North Carolina | |
| North Dakota | Democratic-Nonpartisan League Party of North Dakota | |
| North Dakota | Republican Party of North Dakota | |
| Ohio | Democratic Party of Ohio | |
| Ohio | Republican Party of Ohio | |
| Oklahoma | Democratic Party of Oklahoma | |
| Oklahoma | Libertarian Party of Oklahoma | |
| Oklahoma | Republican Party of Oklahoma | |
| Oregon | Constitution Party of Oregon | |
| Oregon | Democratic Party of Oregon | |
| Oregon | Independent Party of Oregon | |
| Oregon | Libertarian Party of Oregon | |
| Oregon | Pacific Green Party of Oregon | |
| Oregon | Progressive Party of Oregon | |
| Oregon | Republican Party of Oregon | |
| Oregon | Working Families Party of Oregon | |
| Pennsylvania | Democratic Party of Pennsylvania | |
| Pennsylvania | Green Party of Pennsylvania | |
| Pennsylvania | Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania | |
| Pennsylvania | Republican Party of Pennsylvania | |
| Rhode Island | Democratic Party of Rhode Island | |
| Rhode Island | Republican Party of Rhode Island | |
| South Carolina | Alliance Party of South Carolina | |
| South Carolina | Constitution Party of South Carolina | |
| South Carolina | Democratic Party of South Carolina | |
| South Carolina | Green Party of South Carolina | |
| South Carolina | Independence Party of South Carolina | |
| South Carolina | Labor Party of South Carolina | |
| South Carolina | Libertarian Party of South Carolina | |
| South Carolina | Republican Party of South Carolina | |
| South Carolina | United Citizens Party of South Carolina | |
| South Carolina | Working Families of South Carolina | |
| South Dakota | Democratic Party of South Dakota | |
| South Dakota | Libertarian Party of South Dakota | |
| South Dakota | Republican Party of South Dakota | |
| Tennessee | Democratic Party of Tennessee | |
| Tennessee | Republican Party of Tennessee | |
| Texas | Democratic Party of Texas | |
| Texas | Green Party of Texas | |
| Texas | Libertarian Party of Texas | |
| Texas | Republican Party of Texas | |
| Utah | Constitution Party of Utah | |
| Utah | Democratic Party of Utah | |
| Utah | Green Party of Utah | |
| Utah | Independent American Party of Utah | |
| Utah | Libertarian Party of Utah | |
| Utah | Republican Party of Utah | |
| Utah | United Utah Party | |
| Vermont | Democratic Party of Vermont | |
| Vermont | Green Mountain Party of Vermont | |
| Vermont | Libertarian Party of Vermont | |
| Vermont | Liberty Union Party of Vermont | |
| Vermont | Progressive Party of Vermont | |
| Vermont | Republican Party of Vermont | |
| Virginia | Democratic Party of Virginia | |
| Virginia | Republican Party of Virginia | |
| Washington | Democratic Party of Washington | |
| Washington | Republican Party of Washington | |
| Washington, D.C. | D.C. Statehood Green Party | |
| Washington, D.C. | Democratic Party of Washington, D.C. | |
| Washington, D.C. | Libertarian Party of Washington, D.C. | |
| Washington, D.C. | Republican Party of Washington, D.C. | |
| West Virginia | Democratic Party of West Virginia | |
| West Virginia | Libertarian Party of West Virginia | |
| West Virginia | Mountain Party of West Virginia | |
| West Virginia | Republican Party of West Virginia | |
| Wisconsin | Constitution Party of Wisconsin | |
| Wisconsin | Democratic Party of Wisconsin | |
| Wisconsin | Libertarian Party of Wisconsin | |
| Wisconsin | Republican Party of Wisconsin | |
| Wisconsin | Green Party of Wisconsin | |
| Wyoming | Constitution Party of Wyoming | |
| Wyoming | Democratic Party of Wyoming | |
| Wyoming | Libertarian Party of Wyoming | |
| Wyoming | Republican Party of Wyoming | |
Platform
The party supports pro-cannabis candidates in Minnesota. [2]
Rules and bylaws
The state party is governed by a set of rules and bylaws. Typically, these give structure to the different levels of organization—local, county, and state committees—and establish protocol for electing committee members. The bylaws also typically give details on the party’s process for nominating and sending delegates to the national party convention during presidential elections. As of February 2016, the rules and bylaws of the Legal Marijuana Now Party were not publicly available.
Convention
The date of the 2016 state convention for the Legal Marijuana Now Party was January 24, 2016. [11]
Leadership
As of February 2016, the Legal Marijuana Now Party did not have an executive director.
The following individuals hold leadership positions with the Legal Marijuana Now Party:
- Charles Michael Ford, Chair
- Dan R. Vacek, Treasurer[12]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms ‘Legal Marijuana Now Party’. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics