Ruth Bennett
Encyclopedia
Ruth Bennett is a former chair of the Libertarian Party of Washington and Libertarian Party of Colorado
. She is the current Vice-Chair of Outright Libertarians
.
In 2000, Bennett was the Libertarian nominee for the office of Lieutenant Governor
of Washington. She campaigned on the platform of abolishing the position of Lieutenant Governor and earned 7% of the vote. This qualified the Libertarian Party for ballot access in the next election.
In 2004 Bennett campaigned for the office of Washington State Governor
. Her campaign heavily emphasized gay rights, specifically the legalization of same-sex marriage
in the state of Washington. Many Washingtonians, including the chair of the Republican Party and the Republican and Democratic gubernatorial campaigns, attribute the race's being so close to her candidacy, as it is believed to have attracted many gay and liberal voters who might otherwise have voted Democratic, and fiscal conservatives to whom the Libertarian Party appeals. She received over 63,000 votes (2.25%), whereas the Democrat (Christine Gregoire
) beat the Republican (Dino Rossi
) in the final recount by a mere 129 votes (0.0045%).
In 2008 Bennett ran for the state House of Representatives. in Washington's 37th legislative district. She was opposed by incumbent Democrat Eric Pettigrew. Bennett lost the election in a landslide, receiving only about 10% of the votes. There were no Republican nominees in the General Election for the 37th district.
Libertarian Party of Colorado
The Libertarian Party of Colorado is the state affiliate of the Libertarian Party in Colorado. The state chair is .Elected libertarians in Colorado include city councilmen Doug Anderson in Lakewood, Colorado, Joe Johnson in Frederick, Colorado, and sheriff Bill Masters in San Miguel County....
. She is the current Vice-Chair of Outright Libertarians
Outright Libertarians
Outright Libertarians is an association in the United States of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and other self-identified "queer" people who are active in the Libertarian Party...
.
In 2000, Bennett was the Libertarian nominee for the office of Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
of Washington. She campaigned on the platform of abolishing the position of Lieutenant Governor and earned 7% of the vote. This qualified the Libertarian Party for ballot access in the next election.
In 2004 Bennett campaigned for the office of Washington State Governor
Washington gubernatorial election, 2004
The election for governor of Washington on November 2, 2004 gained national attention for its legal twists and extremely close finish. Notable for being among the closest political races in United States election history, Republican Dino Rossi was declared the winner in the initial automated count...
. Her campaign heavily emphasized gay rights, specifically the legalization of same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
in the state of Washington. Many Washingtonians, including the chair of the Republican Party and the Republican and Democratic gubernatorial campaigns, attribute the race's being so close to her candidacy, as it is believed to have attracted many gay and liberal voters who might otherwise have voted Democratic, and fiscal conservatives to whom the Libertarian Party appeals. She received over 63,000 votes (2.25%), whereas the Democrat (Christine Gregoire
Christine Gregoire
Christine O'Grady "Chris" Gregoire is the 22nd and current Governor of the state of Washington, and a member of the Democratic Party. Gregoire defeated Republican candidate Dino Rossi in 2004, and again in 2008. She is the second female governor of Washington...
) beat the Republican (Dino Rossi
Dino Rossi
Dino Rossi is an American commercial real estate executive, former Washington State Senator, two-time Republican candidate for Governor of Washington, and former Republican candidate for United States Senate. His first run for the Governor's mansion in the 2004 election became the closest...
) in the final recount by a mere 129 votes (0.0045%).
In 2008 Bennett ran for the state House of Representatives. in Washington's 37th legislative district. She was opposed by incumbent Democrat Eric Pettigrew. Bennett lost the election in a landslide, receiving only about 10% of the votes. There were no Republican nominees in the General Election for the 37th district.