Individuals Of All Parties Welcome That Evening At Stag's Head Pub Event

(Houston) - Jeff Daiell, a candidate for the Libertarian nomination for Texas Governor, will host a Texas Independence Day Party and campaign fundraiser the evening of March 2nd. This will follow his March 1st appearance, representing the Harris County Libertarian Party, as part of a tripartisan panel discussion sponsored by the Hyde Park United Civic Association.  The March 2nd event will begin at 7 PM at the Stag's Head Pub, 2128 Portsmouth in Houston.

"Because of the damage done to the economy by the politicians of both tax-subsidized parties," said Daiell's campaign manager, Christie Cole-Pearson, "We've set the price very low: $5 for those having supper there, $10 for others. Children are welcome."

Cole-Pearson, the 1998 Miss Teen Texas USA, was recently named Mrs. Harris County and will compete for the Mrs. Texas America title this June. A television will be present so that attendees can see whom the Democrats and Republicans pick to oppose this year's Libertarian ticket.

"Individuals of all parties are welcome to attend," Daiell said. "There are voters within other parties who are libertarian by philosophy, and they might be more comfortable with like-minded individuals than with fellow members of their own parties."

Under Texas laws, the Libertarian Party nominates its candidates by convention. That same election code sets Libertarian precinct  conventions for March 9th. Voters wishing to know more about the Libertarian convention process should visit www.LPTexas.org.

Daiell holds the record for the most votes, and the highest percentage, by a Libertarian nominee for Governor of Texas. In his current race, he has campaigned in 23 counties, with more scheduled.  Daiell's platform combines support for free enterprise with respect for civil liberties. Several planks are already posted at the campaign's website, www.JeffDaiell.com, with more to be added as issues arise. The campaign also has two separate Facebook pages (Daiell for  Governor), and is on Twitter (WeAreTexans) .

Reference and Background Sheet

The Man

Jeff Daiell was born May 24th, 1952, in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. He graduated from Southwest High School (Miami, Florida) in 1970. He attended Miami-Dade College in August 1971, then graduated Centenary College of Louisiana with a B.A. in Government in May 1973.

Jeff has three children: a son, Christopher Ryan, 27; and twin daughters, Colleen Rachel and Kelly Rebecca, 25. Chris is currently with GEICO, and plans to become a history teacher. Colleen teaches children who have mental retardation. Kelly is a contract review specialist for an energy company. Their mother passed away in September of 2006. Jeff recently married Stephanie Zachry; the two met at college. The candidate has three grandchildren: Douglas Raymond, who is 6; Nicholas Robert, and Jackson Ryan (both born last year).

Daiell is a supervisor for a Fortune 500 company, and has been with them sixteen years.

The Candidate

In 1990, in a showing that earned him "Candidate of the Year" honors, Jeff set a Libertarian Party of Texas record for a gubernatorial race: 129,128 votes. That was an excellent showing for an alternative candidate for Governor of any State, and showed Daiell's ability to reach across party lines. Not coincidentally, the rest of the Statewide ticket hit new heights, as well.

Jeff (or a surrogate) has already campaigned in twenty-three counties, and has more appearances scheduled. He has received contributions from across Texas, and garnered considerable publicity.

The Staff

Christie Cole-Pearson, Campaign Manager and State Senate District 7 Coordinator. Ms. Cole-Pearson met Jeff at a fundraiser for a candidate in another race, and volunteered for Jeff's campaign, instead. She works with Gulf Interstate Engineering, a Top 100 petroleum pipeline and engineering company. A former Miss Teen Texas USA, her contacts have already proven valuable to the campaign.

Michael Lee, Campaign Treasurer. Mr. Lee is a long-time Texas Libertarian activist.

Dr. Bob Smither, Honorary Chair and IT Director. Dr. Smither's campaign for Tom DeLay's former seat drew support from across America and across party lines, as proven by his 19% showing in that special election.

Richard Winger, Honorary Vice-Chair. Mr. Winger is America's leading authority on election law pertaining to “third” parties.

Dr. Stacey Bourland, Director of Research. Dr. Bourland has herself run for office twice.

Bill Gray, Website Master. Mr. Gray is a technical writer and well-versed in website operations.

Stephanie Zachry, Scheduler. Ms. Zachry had scheduling experience as Tutorial Services Coordinator for the Community College of Southern Nevada.

Stan Norred, Director of Labor Outreach. A long-time employee of the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers union, Mr. Norred knows how to communicate limited-government messages to this vital constituency.

T. Evan Fisher, Education Advisor. Mr. Fisher, who holds a Master's from Southern Methodist University, is a private educator.

Bobbi Schwartz, Editorial Consultant. Ms Schwartz holds degrees in both English and International Relations. She has experience in marketing composition.

David LeBlanc, Harris County and State Senate District 17 Coordinator. Mr. LeBlanc is a supervisor for Westex Security.

Bill Grisham, Bexar County Coordinator. A long-time CPA, Mr. Grisham has served on the Bexar County Libertarian Party Executive Committee for many years.

Bob Phipps, Jasper County Coordinator. Mr. Phipps proved his political acumen by winning a sear on the Sour Lake City Council in 1996 with 82% of the vote.

Karen Stack, Assistant Director of Research. Ms. Stack is an attorney in Travis County. Her law degree is from Case Western University.

Some of Jeff Daiell's Campaign Issues

-- Texas Sovereignty:

Texas needs a Governor who will defend her sovereignty, who will demand respect for The Tenth Amendment (which limits the scope of the Federal Government), and who will adhere to Article I, Section 1 of The Texas Constitution. This is not a matter of "Left", "Right", or "Libertarian", but of protecting what is ours: Texas' Right to make her own decisions, so long as the Rights of individuals are also respected. Jeff Daiell will be such a Governor.

Regarding Nullification:

Laws enacted by Congress beyond the authority vested unto them by The Constitution are antithetical to Liberty.

Indeed, not only did the Founders recognize and state this, but Supreme Court rulings have upheld this position.

Even in Marbury v. Madison the Supreme Court stated that 'All laws which are repugnant to the Constitution are null and void.'

Therefore, in a Jeff Daiell Administration, Texas will lead the way by refusing to enforce unConstitutional acts.

While nullification may be an option, history dictates that without the cooperation of our sister States such efforts shall fail, and failure is not a part of the Texian vocabulary.

We do not desire to challenge the will of people.

Indeed, we desire to protect their rights.

Therefore, since, in no forum have the people stated a desire to be victimized by unConstitutional statutes and regulation, let the people speak.

Let their voice be heard loud and clear so that Washington may hear.

We do not consent to unConstitutional acts.

We will not acquiesce in, concur with, grant, or sanction such nefarious deeds.

We will not yield.

-- State spending and taxes:

Jeff Daiell will work with the Legislature to reduce State spending by putting teeth into the Texas Sunset Act. He favors having all State agencies reviewed every six years instead of the current 12, and requiring a 2/3 vote of each House of the Legislature for an agency to be renewed.

This change in the Sunset Act will allow the transfer to the private sector of well-meant programs that have not proven themselves and the elimination of those, such as the Railroad Commission, designed to favor special interests. Pruning State agencies that don't work well will enable us to lower State taxes while still ensuring that the basic needs of all Texans are met, thus giving the Texas economy -- and your personal economy -- a healthy boost. To alter an old saying, bureaucracy is not healthy for children and other living things.

Also, Jeff is adamant: "We need to move away from property taxes!"

-- Crime:

We need to make two major changes in crime-fighting: it needs to be locally-centered, because our city and county officials know local situations better than State officials do; and it needs to be focused against crimes of violence and theft. Switching back and forth between Democrats and Republicans has moved us further away from both. Because we are Texans, let's switch instead to a candidate who will take the steps we need to make Texans safe, in their homes, in their streets, and in their schools.

Jeff favors creation of a Texas Innocence Commission to ensure that only the guilty are incarcerated. This Commission would provide an independent review of cases, especially capital cases, where there is legitimate doubt about a verdict even after all appeals have been exhausted.

-- The Right To Keep And Bear Arms

Jeff Daiell will consistently support a Texan's Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and our right to self-defense. He will work with legislators to protect our rights against the actions of local governments.

The United States grew out of the frustration of dealing with an overbearing central government. Local self-government in the Colonies was repeatedly thwarted by the English crown.

The Founders added The Tenth Amendment to the Federal Constitution as protection against an out-of-control central government and to assure The Union the blessings of decentralized self-government. All political powers not specifically listed in the Constitution were to belong to the States or the people.

The Tenth Amendment, repeatedly violated by Washington, is being put to the test today. A growing movement is using the clear language of that Amendment to uphold the rights of individual
States against some of the more egregious regulations from Washington. An outstanding example of this movement is the introduction of a bill into several State legislatures, including that of Texas, known as the Firearm Freedom Act (FFA). It has become law in Montana and Tennessee.

The FFA, based on The Tenth Amendment, would remove from Federal regulation any firearms and ammunition manufactured and retained within a single State. Current Federal firearm regulations, patently unConstitutional under The Second Amendment, are justified as an exercise of the Federal Constitution's commerce clause. The FFA removes that justification. Predictably, Washington has declared that Federal law supersedes the FFA. It clearly does not.

I will work closely with the Texas Legislature to see that the FFA in Texas becomes law, and will use the power of the office of Governor to vigorously defend the Rights of all Texans to keep and bear arms.

-- Education:

No amount of tinkering with politically-controlled education will significantly improve it.

Electing Jeff Daiell as our governor and electing Libertarian lawmakers to the Legislature is the only way to put the welfare of our children ahead of the self-serving agendas of the educational bureaucracy. Together, we can take the politics out of education and take education out of politics.

Toward this end, Jeff Daiell is proposing the Texas Affordable School Choice (TASC) reform, a comprehensive school choice plan that will put parents in charge of the education of their children. The details of Jeff's common sense plan are on the TASC page.

-- Civil liberties:

Texans fought a Revolution to protect our precious freedoms. Because we are Texans, let's not surrender to the politicians what we would not concede to Santa Anna. Jeff Daiell will work to expand our Freedom to choose among peaceful, honest activities and ways of life.

Jeff opposes "Real ID". A more detailed statement will be posted in the future, but he notes that, among other objections, the plan violates The Tenth Amendment, which limits the powers of the Federal Government.

Although State judgeships in Texas are elective, vacancies are frequent. As your Governor, Jeff Daiell will fill such vacancies with judges who will respect due process, including the Right of jurors to judge the law as well as the facts ("jury nullification").

-- Reform:

There are many areas in which reform is needed, and this page will address more of them in the future. But one change that must be made is a requirement that all proposed State Constitutional Amendments, and all proposed State bond issues, be voted on only at the General Elections of even-numbered years, to maximize public awareness, debate, and voter turnout.

Jeff Daiell also supports Initiative and Referendum. His exact proposal will be posted later, but he has stressed that he wants a process that makes utilization by concerned citizens possible, rather than one with requirements so stringent as to render an I&R law meaningless.

-- Texas and Immigration:

Foreign nationals entering Texas in accordance with Federal policy to live honest and peaceful lives should be welcomed. The incentives for those who would move here for other purposes should be eliminated (e.g., by privatizing health and welfare services and education).

Foreign nationals with convictions for violence, theft, or fraud who enter Texas in violation of Federal policy should be detained and transferred to Federal authorities.

More issues will be addressed in the coming weeks.

What Texans Are Saying About Jeff Daiell Libertarian For Governor

"Jeff Daiell has proven himself to be the friend, teacher and supporter in the state of Texas. I have never seen anyone as devoted to helping the people by education as Jeff is. He understands that workers are struggling in this economy with stagnant wages, job loss, soaring prices for health care. Taxes, education and immigration have been on the top of his list. I am confident that Jeff Daiell will put this great state of Texas back on track toward prosperity and opportunity for all and not the few.

As a candidate for a federal office, I will support Jeff Daiell for Governor of the great state of Texas." -- David Smith, Harris County

"I was reflecting on my years as a Libertarian the other day and how my disgust at George H. W. Bush for signing the biggest tax increase in history at that time after his “no new taxes” pledge sent me looking for a political philosophy I could trust and believe it. I went to a Ron Paul speech and knew I’d found it.

So there I was, trying to organize the Golden Triangle for Libertarians and I had no idea what I was doing. I went looking for help and found it in Houston, John Kormylo, Joe Lusardi….and Jeff Daiell. Jeff made three trips to Beaumont to help, all at his own expense, once staying so late he had to stay overnight at my house. Once the group took up a collection feeling they should help with his expenses….Jeff donated it to the State Party! In the end, we organized Orange, Jefferson and Hardin counties for the LP and there is no way we could have done it without Jeff’s help.

And here we are, 20 years later, and Jeff is as strong an advocate for freedom and liberty as ever. Jeff is the highest vote getter among Libertarians for the office of Texas Governor, one of the most loyal Libertarians I’ve ever known. When I agreed to help with his campaign in Jasper County, I asked how he felt about me using my time to also start a county organization at the same time. His response was typically Jeff: “I ride for the brand, no objection at all”.

There has never been a time when America and Texas needed Libertarian principles more. Jeff Daiell is the Libertarian who can deliver these principles. That’s why I support and work for the Jeff Daiell campaign for Governor of Texas." -- Bob Phipps, Jasper County

"I am giving my endorsement to Jeff Daiell for Governor of Texas. He is the most capable Libertarian candidate for Governor.  He has run Statewide before and has the experience to win the job. He has also run in partisan and non-partisan races and knows the difference between the two. He is the media- friendly candidate who understands the use and purpose of media for his campaign. He has campaigned all across Texas and knows what citizens in Texans need in their Governor." -- David LeBlanc. Harris County

"Texas needs a Governor who will defend her sovereignty, who will demand respect for The Tenth Amendment which limits the scope of the Federal Government, and who will not misuse the authority and power that has been bestowed upon him. It is unfortunate that Texans are accustomed to being let down by our elected officials, but, moving forward, we all can take a stand, and demand better because we deserve it, Because We’re Texans! Jeff Daiell wants to reduce state spending and re-focus crime-fighting to crimes of theft, violence and fraud instead of wasting our money on lifestyle-crimes. Jeff Daiell supports a Texan's right to Keep and Bear Arms and our right to self-defense, and he also proposes the Texas Affordable School Choice reform, a comprehensive school choice plan that will put parents in charge of the education of their children. This is not a matter of partisan politics; it’s a matter of protecting what is ours! Texans should have the right to make their own decisions, so long as the Rights of individuals are also respected. Jeff Daiell will be such a Governor."  -- Christie Cole-Pearson, Harris County

"I support Jeff Daiell for governor because he has a proven track record as a Libertarian activist and candidate, who is an expert at showing why libertarianism is better than socialism." -- Clyde Garland, Brazos County

"I first met Jeff Daiell at a LP state convention a few years ago. My first impression was that he is extremely sharp, principled, and well spoken. Over the years I've realized that Jeff is a rarity in our society today, a true gentleman. His openness, honesty, morality, and leadership are exactly what we need our governor to be."

-- Roy Wright, Washington County

"Jeff Daiell is a consistent advocate of Liberty. He is also experienced in running an active Statewide race, and knows how partisan races differ from non-partisan campaigns. He will make a most effective champion for the cause of small, limited, and accountable government." -- Elizabeth Barthlow, Harris County

"I am always happy to support a lover of liberty for a political office and Jeff Daiell is a most worthy competitor for the Governorship of Texas." -- Bill Grisham, Bexar County

"In 1990, I contributed $1,200 to Jeff Daiell's campaign. I was repaid with the best gubernatorial showing in LP Texas history, with Jeff attracting more votes than all of our other candidates for Governor [to that point] combined." -- John Kormylo, Harris County

"Jeff is very clever about dealing with the media. Another reason Jeff has had good success with the media is that he has maintained open and consistent communication with the media." -- Marie Angell, Harris County

"I have known Jeff Daiell since 2002. In all that time he has been a tireless campaigner for liberty. I am supporting his campaign because I believe he can lead Texas back to peace and prosperity." -- Bill Oliver, Bell County

"Jeff is that rare libertarian with the gift of explaining the benefits of freedom in an entertaining way, often using his sense of humor to reach people with the message of liberty.

Two of my favorite Jeff-isms are:

"Government is not healthy for children and other living things."

and

"When the Mafia demands payment to do business in their territory,it's called a protection racket. When the State does the same thing, it's called a sales tax." -- Bob Smither, Galveston County