Here we are again, Connecticut; we're smack in the middle of another campaign season, and another governor's race. As it was four years ago, the choice is largely between Ned Lamont and Bob Stefanowski. Regarding those candidates, you probably know at least some of the particulars by now.
What you likely don't know about this campaign is that it once again features a third-party candidate.
The Libertarian Party has seen fit to nominate Mr. Aaron Lewis for the state's highest office. It's all well and good that there is a third choice this year; I have no problem with the existence of such an option. My concern lies with the possibility that independents might vote for Lewis.
Here's why that doesn't work for me ("brother"), and why I strongly recommend that libertarians support Stefanowski instead of their party-endorsed candidate (1).
First, the chances of Mr. Lewis actually being elected are of the "no chance in hell" variety. Let's keep past independent performances in mind.
In the 2016 gubernatorial election, third-party candidate Joe Visconti got a whopping one percent of the statewide vote. In 2018, three independent candidates mustered a combined four percent of the vote (approximately).
Obviously, these were not a lot of votes. Yet they were enough to be the difference four years ago; the final margin of victory was forty-nine point four percent to forty-six point two percent, in favor of Lamont (2, 3).
The fact is that Connecticut is a one-party state that's trying to become a two-party state. Libertarians and Independents might have a shot at winning office in other states, but not here. In this race, all they can do is play "kingmaker", and secure another four years in office for "King Ned".
Second, I expect that this race will be very close, with perhaps as little as one percent separating the two major candidates. As such, independents and libertarians will likely decide its outcome.
Traditionally speaking, most libertarians tend to lean toward the conservative side of the ideological spectrum. In many cases, this means more votes for Republicans as opposed to Democrats.
This year, however, Libertarian Party leadership is urging that independents not vote for "Red Ned" (as they call Stefanowski), and instead cast their vote for Lewis. Any such selection will take votes away from the challenger; these are votes that he will very much need in order to win election.
Thus, a vote for Aaron Lewis will effectively be a vote to continue the reign of Ned Lamont.
Now let's talk about political platforms.
Contrary to the claims of Libertarian leadership, Bob Stefanowski does indeed have a plan to restore prosperity to Connecticut. This plan includes lower taxes, investing in job growth, and restoring trust in public safety and leadership (among other issues) (4).
Mr. Lewis doesn't seem to have any such plan at all, at least not one that is known publicly. What will be do about the ever-rising cost of living in Connecticut, or the sky-high taxes that Democrats seem to love to assess? That's a very good question, apparently; I don't know.
On highway tolls, the governor has implied that if re-elected, he will once again raise the issue before the General Assembly. We've had this discussion multiple times already; every time, tolls have failed to be approved. Where does the Libertarian stand on the possibility of another round regarding this issue?
And by the way, what does Mr. Lewis propose to do in order to reduce violent crime, instances of which have recently skyrocketed in this state? Is it his position that we've (in the words of Governor Lamont) "done what we can" on this issue? If not, what will he do to ensure the safety of our towns and communities? On this point, your guess is as good as mine (5).
Therefore, if you're talking about a candidate that doesn't seem to have a clue how to get the job done, you're talking about Aaron Lewis, not Stefanowski. Is this really the best that the independents can do?
Also, did you know that Mr. Lewis used to be a Democrat? That's right; in 2019, the Hartford Courant reported that, as part of an unsuccessful campaign for mayor of Hartford, Lewis changed his party registration from that of "the donkeys" (6).
Knowing the Dems' usual tactics, that strikes me as a bit of a "red flag". At the very least, it is quite inconsistent, as well as concerning.
Fifth, voting Libertarian in this instance would be going against the very ideological principles of the liberty movement.
It is a key tenet (see definitions) of libertarianism that if one does harm, it is only to themselves. That is, personal choices that clearly harm others are regarded as unacceptable in their nature. In this sense, a vote for Lewis would not only hurt the liberty-minded Nutmegger, it would also hurt others, as it would effect their lives in quite the negative manner.
I have previously written about the stakes in this election; in short, they are higher than they have ever been in Connecticut. What we are talking about is the future of this state (7).
If Lamont should win a second term, the result will be the end of any hope to "take back Connecticut". Future generations will know our state as the bad joke of America, laughable in its failure and reputation. Is this really what libertarians want?
Vote Lewis if you will, but don't you dare complain when after Lamont wins again, things get even worse than they are now!
Finally, excuse me for quoting Led Zeppelin, but in this campaign (as their perhaps best known song says), "yes, there are two paths you can go by" (8).
If you want change, as well as a road back to prosperity, vote Bob Stefanowski. If you would rather prefer the status quo at best, vote for Lewis or Lamont.
This notwithstanding, you should "consider what you do here" (9).
Even if one wins the day, if such an outcome destroys the lives and hopes of others, it is no victory. It is, at best, one of the Pyrrhic (see definitions) variety.
Again, is this really what you want for the future of "the Nutmeg State"?
Definitions -
Tenet: Noun, a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true; especially one held in common by members of an organization or movement (10).
Pyrrhic victory: Noun, a win that is not worth winning because so much is lost to achieve it (11).
Sources:
1. Quote courtesy professional wrestling personality Hulk Hogan.
2. “Connecticut Gubernatorial and Lieutenant Gubernatorial Election, 2018.” Ballotpedia, Lucy Burns Institute, ballotpedia.org/Connecticut_gubernatorial_and_lieutenant_gubernatorial_election,_2018. Accessed 9 July 2022.
8. Led Zeppelin. "Stairway To Heaven." Led Zeppelin IV. Atlantic Records/Atlantic Records Group/Warner Music Group, 1971. Composers: J. Page, R. Plant.
9. Dorn, Michael (as Lt. Commander Worf). "The Way of the Warrior." Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. Season 4, episode 1. Paramount Domestic Television, 1995. Director: James L. Conway.
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