A Libertarian looking to make waves in Senate race with Johnson, Feingold

Phil Anderson wants smaller,
more accountable government

While the U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin this fall is looking increasingly like it could be a toss up between two candidates, one guy in the race is working to make sure neither one of them wins it.

Libertarian Phil Anderson is busily trying to wedge himself into the conversation as a good option to either Rep. Ron Johnson or Dem. Russ Feingold. The incumbent Johnson, Anderson says, certainly hasn’t delivered on his promise of smaller government.

“He’s broken promises,” Anderson said. “Russ Feingold is not the same person he was 24 years ago when he first was entering the United States national politics.”

While Anderson barely shows up on recent polling in the race, he feels dissatisfaction with top-of-the-ticket candidates for president in the major parties could propel him to surprising vote totals in November.  

Anderson, however, is realistic about his expectations. He knows he’s up against it even during the turmoil in both parties this year. But he also wants to make it clear that he’s nothing like the two guys he’s up against.

“My message is, basically, we want to bring the troops home, ending those foreign interventions and drone striking,” Anderson said. “But also, we want smaller, more accountable government. That’s that’s something that (neither) of my opponents are talking about or have a record of advancing.

“Ron Johnson spoke about that when he was elected in 2010 but he really hasn’t voted for smaller government when he’s had a chance.” 

Anderson, who’s polling in the single digits, says, if nothing else, he figures to get enough votes to increase the status of his party in the state and build for the future.  

“Wisconsinites in general tend to be people that are more open to new political ideas,” Anderson said. “While Libertarianism is not a new political idea, it’s new to, sort of the general, national conversation.”