ICYMI: Libertarian Nominee for Attorney General Mark Ash Endorses Democrat Rochelle Garza

AUSTIN, Texas -- Today, the Libertarian nominee for Attorney General, Mark Ash, endorsed Democratic Nominee Rochelle Garza for Texas Attorney General. 

The column highlights Ash’s family history of having fled authoritarian ex-Yugoslavia and how that drives his political values of fighting government overreach saying, “I fight every day to ensure that the State does not overstep its authority, and to protect our freedoms. [...] The stakes are now simply too high for me to settle merely to be another option for Texans who, like me, love our state, love our country and value our freedoms.

“I have thought long and hard how to say this, and I don’t say this lightly. Ken Paxton is the poster child for corruption and authoritarianism. And if he is allowed to continue, we might have to be the ones to flee …voting for Rochelle Garza is the better choice.”

See here or read below for Ash’s full endorsement: 

Amarillo Pioneer: Libertarian Candidate for Attorney General Recommends Democrat Rochelle Garza

[Mark Ash, 10/27/22]

My family’s story is like that of many Texans. My parents lived in a small town in a small country that had, before their very eyes, begun to change in ways that had once been unimaginable. The government, once a provider of services, began to take from the people.

It started slowly, with small things. Bad policy decisions meant that economy took a nosedive, making it harder for people like my parents- regular people without the political connections- to get even the basic necessities, like food, soap, and wood to heat their homes. As authoritarianism set in, the state began taking in earnest. They devalued the money, so what little people had was worth even less. When they took my family’s house, that’s when my parents felt they had no choice but to leave.

My parents came to America from ex-Yugoslavia with no property or money. They had to learn American English and America’s customs. Like so many immigrants, they built a life in America for my brother and me. And they both became proud U.S. citizens.

Our family’s story of authoritarianism has informed nearly every aspect of my life. It propelled me into the profession of law, to safeguard the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution. It compels me to represent people accused of violating those laws and who can’t afford an attorney. And it is why I am a Libertarian.  I fight every day to ensure that the State does not overstep its authority, and to protect our freedoms.

That’s also why I decided to run for Attorney General of Texas. A democracy should offer choices. With only two major political parties on the ballot in an extremely important race, I entered this race to give Texans a third choice.

But on the eve of the election, giving Texans a third choice feels inadequate.  The stakes are now simply too high for me to settle merely to be another option for Texans who, like me, love our state, love our country and value our freedoms.

I have thought long and hard how to say this, and I don’t say this lightly. Ken Paxton is the poster child for corruption and authoritarianism. And if he is allowed to continue, we might have to be the ones to flee.

The office of the Attorney General is incredibly powerful and not very well understood. Basically, it acts as the police officer for the state, enforcing our laws.  At least, that’s what it’s meant to do. Under Ken Paxton, it is a weapon that is used against innocent Texans. It is also a tool for him to avoid obeying the law himself. Like a bad cop on steroids, he is using his insider knowledge to get away with crimes, and his very great power to take away our freedoms, from intimidating people from voting to stealing property owners’ land.  

I know that many voters are reluctant to throw away their votes on a third-party candidate. So if you feel that your vote may not count, then voting for Rochelle Garza is the better choice. Therefore, I am taking the extraordinary of recommending Rochelle Garza for Attorney General over Ken Paxton. Not voting or voting for me may not be enough.  

This is a pivotal moment in American history that we are facing. Our way of life hangs in the balance. Ken Paxton isn’t playing politics-as-usual. He is taking pages from the authoritarian playbook. And we cannot afford to play politics-as-usual. That is why I am taking this unheard-of step.

We must kick Ken Paxton out of office in order to save our liberties.

While Rochelle is the Democratic candidate, there is a lot of overlap with our Libertarian values.  She believes in legalizing marijuana and is against using public domain to steal our land for an ineffective border wall. I believe not only that she will respect the rule of law but that she will fight for our freedoms.

The most recent poll show that, despite all the ways in which Ken Paxton has proven himself to be a threat to our freedoms, he still leads Rochelle Garza by two points, while I have six points. (Yet despite this, the Houston Chronicle says that I am “not a factor in the race”. And they wonder why we distrust mainstream media.)

Let’s show them that we matter and our freedoms matter. For these reasons, I am recommending Rochelle Garza for Attorney General as the better candidate in this race.

Mark Ash is the Libertarian Nominee for Texas Attorney General. 

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