[Lnc-business] Fwd: RE: LP Donation to Mark Miller Campaign

[Whitney Bilyeu]

I will defer to Lauren on this one.

Whitney

On Mon, Sep 19, 2016 at 2:34 PM, Sam Goldstein <goldsteinatlarge at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Whitney or Lauren,
>
> Are there any Texas campaign finance laws that would prevent the LNC from
> giving money either directly to the MIller
> Campaign or to the LPTX on his behalf?
>
> Live Free,
>
>
>
> Sam Goldstein
> Libertarian National Committee
> Member at Large
> 8925 N Meridian St, Ste 101
> Indianapolis IN 46260
> 317-850-0726 Phone
> 317-582-1773 Fax
>
> On Mon, Sep 19, 2016 at 3:29 PM, Whitney Bilyeu <whitneycb76 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> With regard to polls...  Media outlets don't typically poll for this
>> race, since it has never really been a close race to watch.  Mark's
>> campaign has looked into paying for polling, but experts are reporting that
>> it would be more costly than it is worth, given the size of TX and the
>> possibility that our results would fall within the margin of error.
>>
>> One important thing to remember is that this race is for Texas Railroad
>> Commission....which is exactly why no one pays attention to it
>> (historically).  No one cares about the Railroad.  **However, this
>> Commission has nothing to do with the railroad, and EVERYTHING to do with
>> Oil & Gas (and uranium).  Mark's campaign has been instrumental in finally
>> bringing this to the attention of voters in Texas.  Any additional support
>> would expand his reach, and bring this deceptively named commission out of
>> the shadows - making the election of its commissioners an important matter
>> in the future - opening the door to even greater success for a Libertarian
>> candidate.
>>
>> With regard to a fund-matching option...the campaign is currently engaged
>> in such an effort, and has been very thorough in their fundraising so far.
>> Considering that a matching project is currently underway, it would seem
>> that making the LNC donation a matching option, as well, would only be
>> productive if the LP provided donor info for potential donors outside Texas.
>>
>> Whitney Bilyeu
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Sep 19, 2016 at 1:32 PM, <starrcpa at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> "How do we intelligently gauge the likelihood that spending only this
>>> much money in the manner suggested will move the needle in a state the size
>>> of Texas? Are we trying to dilute a dirty lake with a glass of clean water?"
>>>
>>>
>>> Aaron Starr
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> On Sep 19, 2016, at 11:12 AM, Whitney Bilyeu <whitneycb76 at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> I submit that 100% of any LNC donation would be spent on voter outreach,
>>> whether it is radio buys, robo calls, or mailers…not on overhead etc.
>>>
>>> Mr. Starr, Mark has met with a number of editorial boards, and has no
>>> need for a PR firm to help make that happen.
>>>
>>> Whitney Bilyeu
>>>
>>>
>>> On Mon, Sep 19, 2016 at 12:38 PM, <starrcpa at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Instead of Robocalls and other proposed uses of money, I am wondering
>>>> if perhaps we can get more bang for the buck by paying a PR firm to arrange
>>>> meetings (along with supporting collateral material) with editorial boards
>>>> of other Texas newspapers.
>>>>
>>>> Aaron Starr
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>> On Sep 19, 2016, at 9:48 AM, Whitney Bilyeu <whitneycb76 at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Mark Miller has been endorsed by TWO of the largest newspapers in
>>>> Texas, so far...Houston Chronicle and Dallas Morning News.  Links to those
>>>> were included in Daniel's original e-mail, I believe.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, Sep 19, 2016 at 11:46 AM, Wes Benedict <wes.benedict at lp.org>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Robert says my recollection is 100% correct -- so now I'm 66.7%
>>>>> certain I remember correctly : ). Aaron Starr's confirmation would make it
>>>>> 100%.
>>>>>
>>>>> Wes Benedict, Executive Director
>>>>> Libertarian National Committee, Inc.
>>>>> 1444 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314(202) 333-0008 ext. 232, wes.benedict at lp.orgfacebook.com/libertarians @LPNational
>>>>> Join the Libertarian Party at: http://lp.org/membership
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -------- Forwarded Message --------
>>>>> Subject: RE: [Lnc-business] LP Donation to Mark Miller Campaign
>>>>> Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2016 12:38:28 -0400
>>>>> From: Robert Kraus <robert.kraus at lp.org> <robert.kraus at lp.org>
>>>>> To: 'Wes Benedict' <wes.benedict at lp.org> <wes.benedict at lp.org>, 'Bob
>>>>> Johnston' <bob.johnston at lp.org> <bob.johnston at lp.org>
>>>>>
>>>>> Your recollection is 100% correct.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Live Free!​​​​
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> *Robert*
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Robert S. Kraus - Dir of Operations
>>>>> Operations at LP.org
>>>>> Libertarian National Committee
>>>>> Ph: 202.333.0008 x 231
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Join today: https://www.lp.org/membership
>>>>>
>>>>> LP FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/libertarians
>>>>> size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
>>>>>
>>>>> *From:* Lnc-business [mailto:lnc-business-bounces at hq.lp.org
>>>>> <lnc-business-bounces at hq.lp.org>] *On Behalf Of *Wes Benedict
>>>>> *Sent:* Monday, September 19, 2016 12:16 PM
>>>>> *To:* lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>>>> *Cc:* Bob Johnston
>>>>> *Subject:* Re: [Lnc-business] LP Donation to Mark Miller Campaign
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Perhaps Aaron Starr remembers, but I'm thinking the issue was that the
>>>>> LNC would have had to file some campaign finance reports with the state of
>>>>> Indiana, and you all decided that Aaron Starr and the LNCC would be
>>>>> willing to handle the burden of that extra campaign finance reporting. I
>>>>> don't think it was an issue of prohibitions on giving directly to Ed
>>>>> Coleman--rather reporting hassles, but again, that's off the top of my head
>>>>> and is about something from over 5 years ago.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Wes Benedict, Executive Director
>>>>>
>>>>> Libertarian National Committee, Inc.
>>>>>
>>>>> 1444 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314
>>>>>
>>>>> (202) 333-0008 ext. 232, wes.benedict at lp.org
>>>>>
>>>>> facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational
>>>>>
>>>>> Join the Libertarian Party at: http://lp.org/membership
>>>>>
>>>>> On 9/19/2016 12:03 PM, Sam Goldstein wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> If memory serves, when the LNC contributed money to Ed Coleman's
>>>>> campaign for Indianapolis City-County Council, the money had to flow
>>>>> through the LNCC since Ed want not a federal candidate.  I don't think the
>>>>> LNC can give any money directly to the Miller campaign but it would be a
>>>>> good question to pose to Paula Edwards.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sam
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sam Goldstein
>>>>>
>>>>> Libertarian National Committee
>>>>>
>>>>> Member at Large
>>>>>
>>>>> 8925 N Meridian St, Ste 101
>>>>>
>>>>> Indianapolis IN 46260
>>>>>
>>>>> 317-850-0726 Phone
>>>>>
>>>>> 317-582-1773 Fax
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Mon, Sep 19, 2016 at 11:59 AM, Wes Benedict <wes.benedict at lp.org>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Bob, if you're researching this, also be sure to check on any timing
>>>>> issues, in other words are there restrictions or deadlines on when a
>>>>> committee has to tell the Texas Ethics Commission they plan to spend money
>>>>> on a candidate for the November 8, 2016 elections. It could vary whether
>>>>> it's the state party or directly to the candidate, so that might affect
>>>>> whether giving through LPTexas versus directly to the candidate.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Wes Benedict, Executive Director
>>>>>
>>>>> Libertarian National Committee, Inc.
>>>>>
>>>>> 1444 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314
>>>>>
>>>>> (202) 333-0008 ext. 232, wes.benedict at lp.org
>>>>>
>>>>> facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational
>>>>>
>>>>> Join the Libertarian Party at: http://lp.org/membership
>>>>>
>>>>> On 9/19/2016 11:40 AM, Daniel Hayes wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Bob,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Research fast please.  It would be good to get this up today.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Daniel Hayes
>>>>>
>>>>> LNC At Large Member
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sep 19, 2016, at 10:35 AM, Bob Johnston <bob.johnston at lp.org>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Daniel,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I need to research how much the LNC can donate to a non-federal
>>>>> candidate, and get back to you.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> My original thought was to donate the funds directly to the LPTX,
>>>>> which is a federal filing party, and have them funnel the funds to the
>>>>> Miller campaign.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Bob
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>> *From:* Daniel Hayes [mailto:danielehayes at icloud.com
>>>>> <danielehayes at icloud.com>]
>>>>> *Sent:* Monday, September 19, 2016 11:30 AM
>>>>> *To:* lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>>>> *Cc:* bob.johnston at lp.org
>>>>> *Subject:* Re: [Lnc-business] LP Donation to Mark Miller Campaign
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sam,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I agree about the time.  I wanted to hit send on what I had written
>>>>> already this morning before the hygienist started the cleaning.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>  I started writing this current email in the dentist chair, when he
>>>>> came up and saw my Louisiana Libertarian shirt he said he liked it.  He's
>>>>> currently independent but is going to be ReRegistering along with his
>>>>> wife.  She apparently is former military and has been donating to the
>>>>> Johnson campaign.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> But back on topic, before we put a motion out there, how much should
>>>>> we commit?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>  Should we do two separate motions?  One to Mark's campaign and one to
>>>>> TX LP with the understanding they donate to his campaign?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I have CCed Bob Johnston on here since apparently he and I are
>>>>> psychically linked and both wrote Lauren at almost the same time and he
>>>>> seems to have a better understanding of what we can do in TX than I do.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Bob what are the limits that the NLP/LNC could donate to the Mark
>>>>> Miller campaign?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Daniel Hayes
>>>>>
>>>>> LNC At Large Member
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sep 19, 2016, at 9:43 AM, Sam Goldstein <goldsteinatlarge at gmail.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Daniel,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I would co-sponsor a motion for a LNC contribution to Mark Miller's
>>>>> campaign and/or a targeted contribution to the LPTX in
>>>>>
>>>>> his behalf based on the information provided above.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> However, you better write the motion and get it submitted for an email
>>>>> ballot very quickly as time is running out on this
>>>>>
>>>>> election year.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Live Free,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sam Goldstein
>>>>>
>>>>> Libertarian National Committee
>>>>>
>>>>> Member at Large
>>>>>
>>>>> 8925 N Meridian St, Ste 101
>>>>>
>>>>> Indianapolis IN 46260
>>>>>
>>>>> 317-850-0726 Phone
>>>>>
>>>>> 317-582-1773 Fax
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Mon, Sep 19, 2016 at 10:11 AM, Daniel Hayes <
>>>>> danielehayes at icloud.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Mr. Chairman and fellow LNC members,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> We have been asked to make donations recently to certain campaigns.
>>>>> Despite having more money to do so than in the past, we clearly don't have
>>>>> the means, time or frankly, even the desire to donate to every person's
>>>>> campaign that is running as a Libertarian.  We need to develop some
>>>>> criteria to apply to the process to make it as fair and efficient as we
>>>>> possibly can.    I think that there should be implications of the campaign
>>>>> beyond just electing that one person to office.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I intend to bring or support a motion for the NLP/LNC to donate funds
>>>>> to Mark Miller's campaign for Railroad Commissioner in Texas.  What's
>>>>> at stake is ballot access in Texas.  If they do not have a statewide
>>>>> candidate achieve 5% in this election, they lose their current ballot
>>>>> access and with the size of Texas, it will likely cost us multiple 6
>>>>> figures getting it back.  At present Dr. Miller's campaign is the only one
>>>>> that could be considered more than a paper candidacy.  As we had been
>>>>> having discussions about which campaigns should the LNC be donating to, it
>>>>> crossed my mind that Mark Miller's was exactly the sort we should be
>>>>> lending assistance to.  It also occurred to me that we might be hearing a
>>>>> little less about it than we might because his campaign manager is also our
>>>>> Special Projects Director, Lauren Daugherty and I know she works very hard
>>>>> to try and keep those roles separated.
>>>>>
>>>>> Making it brief, Mark Miller has raised significant money already, his
>>>>> campaign stands to benefit the whole TX Affiliate and save it and the NLP a
>>>>> LOT of money, he is highly qualified for the job,  he has gotten major
>>>>> endorsements.
>>>>>
>>>>> With that in mind I reached out to Lauren yesterday.  Apparently, some
>>>>> other people were having some of the same thoughts at the same time.
>>>>> Here is Lauren's response to my inquiry.
>>>>>
>>>>> "
>>>>>
>>>>> Mark Miller is an exceptional candidate. He’s highly qualified for the
>>>>> position he’s seeking and more qualified (by far) than his 3 opponents. If
>>>>> he was elected, he would be well prepared to serve. He’s been a Libertarian
>>>>> since the 1970s and is well versed on Libertarianism and able to
>>>>> communicate Libertarian ideas well. And, he’s also a solid leader. He’s
>>>>> well liked, kind, and personable. Rarely do we find candidates of any party
>>>>> that are so well rounded.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Mark’s race is the top of the ticket in Texas this cycle. The Texas
>>>>> Railroad Commission is one of the most powerful agencies in Texas. It
>>>>> regulates oil and gas and has nothing to do with railroads. In Texas,
>>>>> oil & gas often trump property rights. It’s messy and outrageous and will
>>>>> make any normal human being hopping mad if they look into it. Mark is
>>>>> outspoken about protecting property rights.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Mark has a PhD from Stanford in petroleum engineering and has spent
>>>>> over 40 years in the industry. In contrast, none of his opponents have
>>>>> worked one day in oil & gas.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> For the Libertarian Party of Texas to retain ballot access for 2018,
>>>>> we need one statewide candidate to achieve 5% of the vote. This cycle, the
>>>>> only statewide candidates on ballots in Texas are Railroad Commission
>>>>> (Mark’s race) and judicial races. Almost all of our judicial candidates
>>>>> this year are “paper candidates”. Mark is running the most active campaign,
>>>>> by far.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> We started this campaign 1 and a half years ago, when I left
>>>>> employment with LPTexas. We’ve raised over $70k so far and received 2 of
>>>>> the biggest media endorsements in Libertarian history. I expect that we’ll
>>>>> break $100k within the next 2 weeks. Mark is a full-time candidate. We
>>>>> anticipate that he’ll very likely get more media endorsements over the
>>>>> coming weeks. He’s talking with reporters almost daily and traveling
>>>>> extensively.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> We’ve just started robo calls to strategic areas and will have mailers
>>>>> promoting our endorsements starting in the next few days. We are planning a
>>>>> major radio buy that will flood the talk radio airwaves across Texas
>>>>> with Mark’s name and info on his endorsements and the LP for 2 weeks before
>>>>> early voting begins. This will cost $50k and we think this is critical to
>>>>> achieving the 5% needed to ensure ballot access. We’ve raised approximately
>>>>> $30k towards this so far and we expect to receive the final funding on that
>>>>> within the next week.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> If we are unable to achieve the 5% needed to secure ballot access, it
>>>>> will take approximately 80,000 verified signatures to regain ballot access.
>>>>> I’m told we’d need to shoot for approximately 125,000 signatures or more to
>>>>> make sure we have enough “good” signatures. In Texas, if someone
>>>>> votes in a primary, they are not eligible to sign a ballot access petition
>>>>> and this makes it more difficult. The signatures would have to be gathered
>>>>> within a 75 day window. Experts tell me that this would likely cost between
>>>>> $250,000 and $500,000.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> In my opinion, it is far better to spend money now, promoting an
>>>>> exceptional candidate, rather than having to scramble to raise even more
>>>>> money to regain ballot access in 2018 or 2020. I know the fundraising
>>>>> situation in Texas better than anyone. If we lose ballot access, it
>>>>> will likely be 2020 before we can afford to regain it.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Mark is a candidate that makes us all extra proud to be Libertarians.
>>>>> He’s highly qualified, and skilled communicator, and represents us very
>>>>> well. He can walk into a room of people who are skeptical or even of the
>>>>> Libertarian Party and when he walks out, they respect us and many support
>>>>> us.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Here are our goals for Mark’s campaign: 1) achieve 5% (or far more!)
>>>>> of the vote in order to retain ballot access for 2018; 2) grow the
>>>>> Libertarian Party. Mark’s a team player. We are promoting Libertarians up
>>>>> and down the ballot whenever we can."
>>>>>
>>>>> "
>>>>>
>>>>> If the LNC donates to Mark’s campaign, we’d use the money on radio
>>>>> buys, and/or carefully targeted robo calls, and/or large postcard to
>>>>> strategic areas, educating voters about the endorsements, Mark’s
>>>>> credentials, and the LP.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I think the max that the LNC could give Mark’s campaign directly, by
>>>>> law, is $5k. My understanding, based on what Bob Johnston has told me, is
>>>>> that if the LNC wanted to give more, they could donate it to LPTexas (which
>>>>> is currently an FEC filing entity) with the understanding that LPTexas
>>>>> would then donate the funds to the campaign. LPTexas receives directed
>>>>> donations regularly and I don’t foresee any problem with working with them
>>>>> in this way. One SLEC member said in the SLEC meeting yesterday that “Mark
>>>>> is our shining star”. SLEC, the officers, and key players, all agree and I
>>>>> think they’d be delighted to help in this way.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Folks can read more about Mark here: miller4tx.com"
>>>>>
>>>>> "
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Thank you for considering supporting his campaign. If anyone would
>>>>> like to talk with me directly, they can call/text me at 931 249 9924
>>>>> or email me at lauren at miller4tx.com"
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Here are some links she sent to me also:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/recommendations/arti
>>>>> cle/For-the-RRC-9206271.php?t=76087424ea438d9cbb
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/20160915-we-rec
>>>>> ommend-mark-miller-for-texas-railroad-commissioner.ece
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Daniel Hayes
>>>>> LNC At Large Member
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ...
>>>
>>> [Message clipped]
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Lnc-business mailing list
>>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>>>
>>>
>>
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>>
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