PRESS RELEASE from Gary Johnson
2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe Hunter
GOVERNOR GARY JOHNSON
ENDORSES
FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR , JUDGE, JIM GRAY FOR LIBERTARIAN
PARTY VICE-PRESIDENT
Gray Says He and
Johnson Will Offer Voters "A Choice Voters Crave"
April 30, 2012, Newport Beach, CA
–
Former Judge of the California Superior Court of Orange County Jim Gray
has announced he is seeking the Libertarian Party’s nomination for
Vice-President of the United States. The Libertarian Party will
nominate its candidates for President and Vice-President at its
national
convention this
week (May 2-6) in Las Vegas, NV. Former New Mexico Governor and
Libertarian Party candidate for President Gary Johnson has strongly
encouraged Gray to seek the nomination for Vice-President.
The
Libertarian Party nominees for President and Vice-President will be on
the ballot in all 50 states in the November election, the only party
other than the Republicans and Democrats expected to appear on all 50
states’ ballots.
Judge Gray, who was appointed to the California Superior Court bench by
Gov. George Deukmejian and served from 1989 to 2010,
is a nationally known and respected author and speaker who has long
advocated the reform of both California’s and the nation’s drug
laws.
Gray was the 2004 Libertarian candidate for the US Senate from
California. He is the author of three books, including Why Our
Drug Laws Have Failed: A Judicial Indictment Of War On Drugs, a
critique of the failed war on drugs.
Prior
to his tenure on the bench, Gray served both as a federal prosecutor
and as a staff judge advocate for the U.S. Navy's JAG Corps in Guam and
California. For his Navy service, he was awarded National Defense,
Vietnam Service and Combat Action Ribbons.
Endorsing
Judge Gray’s candidacy, Governor Johnson said, “Jim Gray is not only a
highly-respected jurist, but he is also a proven leader on issues of
concern to Americans – from drug policy to civil liberties to ethics. I
am proud he is joining me to offer America a real choice in this
election, and excited that his forceful and extremely credible voice
will be a vital part of our campaign. Judge Gray is a reformer
with the
track record and credentials to prove it, and I urge the Libertarian
Party to nominate him for Vice-President of the United States.”
Announcing
his intention to seek the LP vice-presidential nomination, Judge Gray
said, “Virtually my entire career – as an attorney, prosecutor, judge,
writer, speaker and public policy advocate – has been devoted to the
cause of putting government, through its laws and policies, in its
proper role as a defender of individual liberty and rights. From drug
policy reform to competition and choice in education, I believe and
have
worked to advance the idea that smaller government, living within its
means, is key to not only freedom, but opportunity and prosperity.
“Especially
with the candidacy of former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, the 2012
election offers an historic opportunity for libertarian ideals and
policies to be a very real part of the national debate. I am
committed
to that debate, and excited to join Governor Johnson in providing the
voters with a credible, proven alternative to the business-as-usual
that
will be offered by the two ‘major’ parties in November. Gary Johnson is
an experienced Chief Executive with an eight-year record of putting
libertarian principles into practice, cutting the size and cost of
government while creating a record number of jobs.
"As
the only candidates for President and Vice President who will be on the
ballot in all 50 states who will cut Federal Spending by 43%, oppose
the
war in Afghanistan and the failed and expensive war on drugs, repeal
the Patriot Act, support gay marriage equality and the legalization of
marijuana, we will offer voters a choice voters crave.
“Millions
of Americans are looking for leaders who will reject the wrong-headed
direction the country is being taken by the Republicans and
Democrats.
They realize both parties have become 'big government'
parties. They are looking for leaders who will not only stop government
from spending too much, but from doing too much when it comes to our
personal lives, our families, and our businesses. Our task is to
offer
the voters that choice, and I am proud to join Gary Johnson in taking
on
that task.”
About
Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson: Gary Johnson, two-term Governor of
New Mexico from 1995-2003, has been a consistent and outspoken advocate
for limited, efficient government and personal liberty. Johnson
switched from Republican to the Libertarian Party on December 28,
2011. If
nominated by the Libertarian Party in May, Johnson will appear on all
50 states' ballots as the third national presidential nominee. An
outspoken pro-Constitution Libertarian, Johnson opposes the war in
Afghanistan, demands greater transparency at the Federal Reserve, would
cut Federal spending by 43%, supports a woman's right to choose,
opposes
gun control, supports gay marriage equality and supports the
legalization of marijuana. An avid skier and bicyclist, he has reached
the highest peaks on four of the seven continents, including Mt.
Everest.