Allen County GOP Denies Database to Primary Candidates!
Posted by Mike Sylvester - 4/30/08 @ 6:28 pm - Filed Under 2008 Local Elections, 2008 National Elections, Featured, Local Politics, State Politics
Let me start by telling you that my blood is absolutely boiling right now.
As many of you know I recently switched from the Libertarian Party back to the Republican Party. This was a tough decision for me and some days it is a decision that I question a lot. Today is one of those days. As most of you know I am in favor of smaller Government and protecting our individual freedoms.
The Republican Party maintains a database of likely Republican voters that is known as “Voters Vault”. This database is a powerful tool that Republicans can use to market themselves to like-minded Republicans.
Scott Wise is running for Congress in the Republican Party against Mark Souder. Scott Wise spent a term on the Whitley County Council as a Republican and was active in the Republican Party for many years. Scott is a friend of mine and he “flirted” with the Libertarian Party in 2006 and wanted to be their candidate for Congress in 2006. I was going to be Scott’s Campaign manager until the Indiana Election Board stepped in and shamefully disqualified many Libertarian candidates from running in the election due to a “loophole” in the state law.
Scott Wise wanted access to the “Voter Vault” database and requested access to it. Below is the exact reponse that he received from the Indiana Republican Party and I quote:
It is the State Party’s policy not to grant Voter Vault access to anyone running in the Primary (especially for a Congressional seat) unless they are an incumbent. However, we do allow candidates the opportunity to seek Voter Vault access county by county for their district. So if he so desires, he can so solicit each individual County Chairman for access to his or her county and access will only be granted for those counties that sign off. If he does decide to seek access to each county individually, he will need to get each County Chairman to complete and return the attached Voter Vault request form and he will need to complete the Voter Vault user agreement.
The above response was drafted by Dan Scott, Voter File Coordinator, Indiana Republican Party.
Once Scott Wise received this he then personally asked Steve Shine, the current GOP Chairman for Allen County, for access to “Voter Vault” for Allen County.
Steve Shine refused Scott access to the database.
The Indiana and Allen County GOP are obviously in the business of protecting incumbents from competition from among their own Party in the primary. In fact, they are showing that they are more interested in winning the General election then they are in fielding strong candidates.
This is a disgusting policy that makes me want to do what I can to help ensure that Steve Shine is removed from his position as the Allen County GOP Chairman.
I have agreed to serve as a Vice Precinct Committeeman. I did not run for Precinct Committeeman since the person running in my precinct is a person who I consider a “like-minded” soul.
Steve Shine needs to be removed as Chairman.
The entire purpose of the Republican Primary should be to allow Republican voters to select the person who they feel will best represent them in the General Election. The Party leadership has no business endorsing or favoring one candidate over another candidate.
Steve Shine has a sordid history of endorsing Republican candidates in the Republican primary and I feel that it is 100% inappropriate for a Chairman to favor one Republican candidate over another Republican candidate.
Mike Sylvester
P.S. Does the Democratic Party have a policy like this as well Kevin Knuth?
Comments
17 Responses to “Allen County GOP Denies Database to Primary Candidates!”
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Mike,
I agree 100% that the party should not endorse one candidate over another. If a councilmember, mayor, etc wants to endorse someone then fine. But parties should not be choosing sides in my opinion.
I especially find this decision surprising given the turmoil that still lingers after the Republican mayoral primary…
Mike,
Our system is called VoteBuilder.
We do not give access to everyone- BUT candidates can get access, or they can have us do it for them. (So if a candidate wanted a list of every D and Swing voter in precinct 551- we would give it to them.)
To the best of my knowledge, both of our Gubernatorial candidates are using the system.
Jeff Pruitt: Please don’t post using someone else’s name. Either use your own or a pseudonym…
I believe that access to Voter Vault can be had from the local GOP for a price, ($500 I believe), but don’t quote me on it. Did *you* talk to Steve Shine about this or are you getting it all second hand?
Now on to reality. Wise doesn’t have a prayer in this race, so to me it doesn’t matter. I understand your frustration, but looking at it from a reality perspective, well, who cares? Wise hasn’t even raised any money. He’s a non-candidate. Kind of like a Libertarian. :)
Peace :)
I could not care less if the Republican candidate did not raise ANY money. Any candidate should have access to the database. Anything else is favoritism.
I got my information second hand directly from Scott Wise.
Mike Sylvester
Deals like this, the Kelty mess, the mess for county pros. atty., and telling others not to run is why I no longer consider myself an active GOP member.
Then again I think the GOP members left standing will find a place to work out of, bring in the dollars needed to run a solid party, and not deal with the few who put little momey into the operation but who thought they owned the local GOP.
The Allen County GOP will rise from the ashes but one wonders if it will not be until 2009-2010 time frame.
For your information: When I declared I was running for the first time with the Allen County GOP, I was “welcomed” with an invitation to use voter vault if I pay the GOP $500. In addition, this would give me access to their bulk mailing permit. Seeing that I needed every dime of the money I was raising and, further, that I had a wife and 5 kids to take care of during the process, I made the educated decision to pass on voter vault and seek my information elsewhere. I did, however, feel like Mr. Steve Shine just rolled out the red carpet for me because they are so interested in fresh blood in the Republican party and new candidates with “progressive” ideas. Steve is a gem of a guy and needs more people to appreciate him for the great leader that he really is.
Remember vote for the “Progressive Republican” in the May 6th Primary and, remember, that you have to appreciate sarcasm to even begin to understand me in this post.
Now for the NOT sarcastic: I am working for the taxpayers of Allen County and not special interests. If you want someone to work for special interests then don’t vote for me, because I won’t do it (insert list of names that think they should have special treatment here in just about any County project/program). If you want someone who will work for you as a taxpayer without regard to special interest then I appreciate your support and I will do my best to not let you down.
Jim Howard
Allen County Council
May 6th Republican Primary
Below my comments is a copy of my response to Kevin Ober.
In response to some of the responses: I understand I have not raised a lot of money. I understand that many believe money is necessary to win. I disagree, and we will find out Tuesday. I think voters appreciate someone willing to put themselves out there, and talk about any issue. The disturbing thing to me is that with all the apathy, frustration, and disillusion we still have people running political parties that want to exclude passionate candidates that love their country.
Our government is behaving in a disgraceful manner. Party loyalty is more important than loyalty to the constitution or preserving America for future generations. Even though approval of the job our government does is at an all time low, we still have people willing to send the same representative to do essentially the same thing.
Many people across this country feel there is no hope. Government will continue to do whatever it wants. Our government is for sale. If you have the money you can have your way with it.
Our current course is unsustainable. The fact that anyone considers sending the same representative back to Washington amazes me.
Win or loose I am not going away. Our government needs radical change. Our political process needs radical change.
A handful of people who see themselves as elite should not be in control of our political process no matter how much money they have. They have done so because we have allowed them. Precinct committee chairmen select county chairs who select district chairs. Precinct committee chairmen are now elected positions in the party’s primary. I have talked to people in each of the 8 counties of the 3rd district that are willing to work to slate candidates for each precinct committee chair race in the next presidential primary, and will further work to do so statewide over the next 4 years. Hopefully a clean slate will allow the GOP to return to a time when it stood for sovereignty resting in the hands of the people.
Vote Wise May 6.
Scott Wise
GOP candidate for 3rd U.S. House district
Kevin,
I appreciate your response. I have taken it too personally. I understand this is your policy, and that I have other options. I am not concerned about other candidates, but would suggest you make voter vault available to them district wide as well. We live in consequential times, and continued insistence on maintaining the status quo runs counter to the party’s interest. The leadership of the Republican party will reap what it sows.
Republicans have come to understand the party is not in step with them, and it is only a matter of time until they demand change. I respectfully contend as a candidate in the republican primary one is entitled to be treated equally when compared to all other candidates.
Simply holding incumbent status should warrant no undue status or advantage from the State party or it’s subordinates. The party should be in the business of encouraging involvement, and enabling candidates. Throwing up obstacles to candidates, or favoring incumbents, slows positive change and suppresses the independent thought that is the heart and soul of the Republican party.
This is an example of what is wrong with our party and our government. Apathy and indifference are a result of the frustration one develops from having to choose between the lesser of two evils at the ballot box time after time after time.
The GOP needs to get ahead of the curve. Foster choice, enable all Republican candidates, inspire Republican voters.
Respectfully,
Scott Wise
Mr.Wise,you have my vote. Mr. Howard,you will not get my vote. Anyone that’s thanks “stevie shine is a great leader” will never get my support.I agree with J.Q.Taxpayer!
As a Republican Chairman in the 3rd Congressional District, I would be happy to sign off on access for my county’s portion of the database to Scott as I have for all other Republican candidates who have requested it. If Scott contacts me and fills out the same paperwork that others do, I will submit it and see that he gets access. However, at this point, the process would likely take longer than next Tuesday and his access would end as of the Primary Election, assuming that Scott loses on May 6th.
I also agree that the Republican Party needs a fresh start and new blood but don’t believe Congressman Souder is where that should begin.
Scott - you’ve got my vote, see you Monday at IPFW to see Ron Paul. viva la revolution!!!!
Dan: Its called sarcasm and I now realize that I have to be careful with it. I was NOT happy that I would have to pay $500 and, further, I am NOT happy with the dominance of SPECIAL INTERESTS Dan. That is not sarcasm but called hitting the mark.
Dan,
I am suprised you are voting for any Democrat- in your letter to the Editor last fall you stated you were a lifetime Democrat.
Scott- While I believe that your heart is in the right place, you simply have to raise money to be a viable candidate.
It costs a lot to get your message out, especially in a congressional district.
Kevin,
Were you not once a card-carrying republican? Wasn’t Steve Shine was a democrat?
As a person who believes in voting for the person not the party, we are splitting votes in our household to support Jim Howard (But not necessarily John McCain and certainly not Mark Souder). Jim, you wield your sarcasmatron with wisdom and strength! If you weren’t already such a great candidate, you might have my vote just for that.
To Jim Banks,
I already have Whitley counties database. If you wanted to help, you could have listed me on your county website as a candidate, or let me speak at breakfast as a candidate when Souder did, or not turned your back on me and walk away in the middle of a conversation.
As far as Mark Souder goes, he is not the worst Republican in Washington, but has served 2 years longer than he promised when he first ran. I am tired of waiting for Republicans in Washington to start doing what they were given the majority to do 14 years ago. They have gotten too cozy, and this country does not have the time to wait around for them to see the light. Elected officials in Washington need to lead. This requires one to stick their neck out, and might even cause one to loose support from party leadership, but it is time to “Put America First.”
It is interesting, that Mark Souder didn’t get serious about border security until I told the Syliva Smith 2 years ago that was why I wanted to run for congress. He also seems to have read through my web site, which would explain his recent tough stance on China. What might be more effective, would be to challenge the president to do his job. We already have laws on border security, and it is the Presidents responsibility to ensure enforcement of our border.
Mark Souder could also publicly call for a re-evaluation of our relationship with China. They are not our friend, even though we treat them like one. I might point out they held our aircrew after one of their fighters damaged it in flight, they refused port entry to our naval fleet even though it had been arranged well ahead of time, and they continue to ignore our trademarks and copyrights.
Wait…they hold most of our debt…maybe we should have thought about that. We have put ourselves in a position where we are helping build the economy of a country that considers us their enemy, and is actively building up their military with our technology.
Respectfully,
Scott Wise
Anon-
yes, i was. But Mr. Mauricio wrote a letter to the editor last fall stating he was a life long Democrat.
however, he voted in something like 7 out of the last 8 elections as a Republican.
Thank you and your household for supporting me Angela. “Sarcasmatron” I think I need to add that word to my vocabulary!
Jim Howard
Allen County Council
May 6th Republican Primary