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There are a total of 63 seats to be filled, with 17 wards across the city each electing three or four councillors.

The SNP is fielding 25 candidates, the Liberal Democrats have 22, the Conservatives 20, Labour 19 and the Greens 17.

There are 11 candidates from the Scottish Family Party, the Alba party is standing seven and the Scottish Libertarian Party five.

And there is a range of smaller parties and independents contesting the election too.

City Centre ward has the biggest number of candidates at 13, followed by Leith Walk with 12, while Southside/Newington has just five.

Council chief executive and returning officer Andrew Kerr said: "If you haven't yet registered to vote in these local government elections, it's not too late. The deadline for registration is midnight on April 18.

"Remember, due to changes to polling places to ensure we keep as many schools open as possible, you might have a different polling place this time. Check your polling card carefully or use the online tool to find out where to vote on May 5."

Heres the full list of candidates:

BAILLIE, Annemarie Workers Party of Britain

BROUGH, Andrew Scottish Green Party

GEDDES, Stewart Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life

HESSLER, Fred Scottish Labour Party

HILL, James Scottish Conservative and Unionist

LANG, Kevin Scottish Liberal Democrats

WORK, Norrie Scottish National Party (SNP)

YOUNG, Louise Scottish Liberal Democrats

YOUNIE, Lewis James Scottish Liberal Democrats

BRUCE , Graeme Scottish Conservative and Unionist

CHAPPELL, Michael William Scottish Liberal Democrats

FETTES, Richard Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life

GARDINER, Neil Thomas Scottish National Party (SNP)

GILCHRIST, Emma Scottish Conservative and Unionist

GLASGOW, Fiona Scottish National Party (SNP)

JENKINSON, Stephen Philip Scottish Labour Party

MULLER, Ross Scottish Green Party

ROWLANDS, Louis Scottish Libertarian Party

ALDRIDGE, Robert Christopher Scottish Liberal Democrats

BROWN, Mark Scottish Conservative and Unionist

HYSLOP, Euan Scottish National Party (SNP)

JOHNSTON, Eileen Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life

OKORO, Nkechi Labour and Co-operative Party

SCOTT, Anne Scottish Green Party

SMITH, Gary Scottish Libertarian Party

THORNLEY, Edward John Scottish Liberal Democrats

CAMPBELL, Jim Scottish Conservative and Unionist

CAMPBELL, Linda Lenora Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life

DAY, Cammy Labour and Co-operative Party

DIJKSTRA-DOWNIE, Sanne Scottish Liberal Democrats

DOBBIN, Stuart Scottish National Party (SNP)

GOOCH, Carrie Scottish National Party (SNP)

HEATHCOTE, Kerry Elizabeth Women's Equality Party

O'NEILL, Kayleigh Scottish Green Party

BANDEL, Jule Scottish Green Party

HERRING, Stuart Scottish Conservative and Unionist

HOLDEN, Phil Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life

LAIRD, Tam Scottish Libertarian Party

MITCHELL, Max Scottish Conservative and Unionist

MUNRO-BRIAN, Mhairi Labour and Co-operative Party

NICOLSON, Vicky Scottish National Party (SNP)

OSLER, Hal Scottish Liberal Democrats

WOOD, Malcolm Alexander Scottish Liberal Democrats

Ward 6 - Corstorphine/ Murrayfield

BEAL, Alan Christopher Scottish Liberal Democrats

COLVILLE, Norman David Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life

DAVIDSON, Euan Robert Scottish Liberal Democrats

FINDLAY, Hugh Scottish Conservative and Unionist

HUGHES, Connal Scottish Green Party

PARKER, Richard Scottish Labour Party

ROSS, Frank Scottish National Party (SNP)

Ward 7 - Sighthill/ Gorgie

DIXON, Denis Scottish National Party (SNP)

FULLERTON, Catherine Scottish National Party (SNP)

GRACZYK, Ashley Independent

HEAP, Dan Scottish Green Party

HOOLEY, Mark Scottish Conservative and Unionist

MCKENZIE, Ross Scottish Labour Party

SCOBIE, Devin Scottish Liberal Democrats

Ward 8 - Colinton/ Fairmilehead

ARTHUR, Scott Scottish Labour Party

BIAGI, Marco Scottish National Party (SNP)

CUTHBERT, Neil Scottish Conservative and Unionist

LUCAS, Richard Crewe Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life

MCCABE, Helen Scottish Green Party

RUST, Jason Scottish Conservative and Unionist

SPENCE, Louise Watson Scottish Liberal Democrats

Ward 9 - Fountainbridge/ Craiglockhart

COWDY, Christopher Scottish Conservative and Unionist

GRAHAM, Fraser John Ashmore Scottish Liberal Democrats

KEY, David Scottish National Party (SNP)

MASSON, Gregor Scottish Libertarian Party

MCHANEY, Megan Scottish Green Party

RAMSAY, Fraser Kenneth Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life

WALKER, Val Labour and Co-operative Party

CLYDE, Mairianna Scottish National Party (SNP)

GUNN BARRETT, Leah Alba Party for independence

MUNRO, Marie-Clair Scottish Conservative and Unionist

PARKER, Ben Scottish Green Party

ROSS, Neil John Scottish Liberal Democrats

SIDOR, Peter Scottish Libertarian Party

WATT, Mandy Helen Scottish Labour Party

BOB, Bonnie Prince Independent

CARSON, Pete Independent

FOXALL, Andy Scottish Liberal Democrats

GRAHAM, Margaret Arma Labour and Co-operative Party

ILLINGWORTH, Kevin Independent

MCFARLANE, Finlay Scottish National Party (SNP)

MILLER, Claire Scottish Green Party

MOWAT, Jo Scottish Conservative and Unionist

MWIKI, Marianne Scottish National Party (SNP)

See the rest here:
Here's a full list of the candidates standing at Edinburgh's council elections - Edinburgh News

The filing deadline for candidates running for state or federal office in Idaho was March 11, 2022. This year, nine candidates two Democrats, six Republicans, and one Libertarian are running for Idahos two U.S. House districts. Thats 4.5 candidates per district, less than the 5.0 candidates per district in 2020 and 9.0 in 2018.

Here are some other highlights from this years filings:

Both incumbents are running for re-election: Russ Fulcher in District 1 and Michael Simpson in District 2.

The only contested primary is the Republican primary in District 2, where Simpson faces four other candidates. One of those candidates is Bryan Smith, who Simpson defeated 62-38 in the 2014 Republican primary.

According to Roll Call, Republicans have won 27 of the 28 U.S. House elections in Idaho since 1994. Democrat Walt Minnick won in District 1 in 2008 before losing his re-election bid in 2010.

Idahos U.S. House primaries will take place on May 17. Also on the ballot will be a U.S. Senate seat, governor, lt. governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and all 105 seats in the state legislature.

View post:
In Idahos two congressional districts, there is one contested primary this year - The Center Square

Challenges are set in three state House races and three County Council races forthe June 14 primary election, according to the final list of candidates who filed for office in Spartanburg County by the noon Wednesday deadline.

The general election is Nov. 8.

Three incumbent Republican state House members in Spartanburg County will face challenges, according to the S.C. Election Commission.

In District 33, Bill DeVore has filed to run against incumbent state Rep. Travis Moore.

In District 35, Joseph Pellegrino has filed to run against incumbent state Rep. Bill Chumley.

2022 SC Elections: Register to vote

And in District 36, Rob Harris has filed to run against incumbent state Rep. Rita Allison.

Districts 35 and 36 include portions of Greenville County.

No one filed to run against Democratic District 31 state Rep. Rosalyn Henderson-Myers; and Republicans District 32 Rep. Max T. Hyde; District 34 Rep. Roger A. Nutt; District 37 Rep. Steven Long; and District 38 Rep. Josiah Magnuson.

Donald Trump's influence:Trump's influence in South Carolina could be tested

For Spartanburg County Council, there will be challenges in the Republican primary for three council seats.

In District 2, O'Neal Mintz filed to run against incumbent Councilman Jack A. Mabry. Constitution Party candidateand Kathleen K. Wright also filed.

In District 5, Republicans Jeffrey A. Horton Jr. and Louis Nespeca filed to run against Republican incumbent Bob Walker.

In District 6, Republican Alex Turner filed to run against Republican incumbent Jessica Coker.

Republican incumbent County Council Chairman Manning Lynch is the only one who filed for his at-large seat.

Other Republican incumbents who have filed for office in Spartanburg County include Ponda A. Caldwell, probate judge; Sharon H. West, auditor; Oren L. Brady III, treasurer.

Henderson-Myers is the only Democrat out of the 23 candidates who filed in Spartanburg County. Twenty-one are Republican, and one is a Constitution Party candidate.

Incumbent Republican Gov. Henry McMaster filed for re-election. He faces a primary challenge from Republicans Harrison Musselwhite and Mindy L. Steele.

Also filing for governor are:Jokie Beckett Jr. andMichael Copeland, Independence Party; Carlton Boyd, Joe Cunningham, Mia S. McLeod, Calvin CJ Mack McMillan and William H. Williams, Democratic Party; Bruce Reeves, Libertarian Party; Gary M. Votour, Labor Party.

Incumbent Republican Tim Scott filed for re-election and faces no opposition in the primary.

Also filing for Scott's seat are Democrats Catherine Fleming Bruce, Angela Geter and Krystle Matthews.

Incumbent 4th District Republican U.S. Rep. William Timmons faces a primary challenge from George Abuzeid, Mark Burns andMichael Mike LaPierre. Also filing for Timmons' seat areMichael Chandler, Constitution Party; and Ken Hill, Democrat.

The 4th District covers large portions of Spartanburg and Greenville counties.

Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com. Please support our coverage of Spartanburg County with a digital subscription.

Read more here:
2022 election: Who is on the ballot in Spartanburg County Council, SC State House races - Spartanburg Herald Journal

Cryptocurrency has come a long way since its humble beginnings inthe further reaches of the internet.When Bitcoin was first launched in 2009,its appeal was largely limited to online pioneers, tech utopians and libertarians. It has now truly entered the mainstream an estimated 2.3 million people in the UK own crypto assets, according to research from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the number of companies trading in crypto is likely to grow further over the coming years.

Has the rise of unregulated cryptocurrencies brought about the new world of finance as foreseen by its early followers? Many wished for the end of central banking, the replacement of the dollar and fiat money by Bitcoin or digital gold and an upending of regulation in markets and of the potential surveillance of consumers. But the crypto evangelists have so far been disappointed. Like all utopian projects it has collided with the realities of geopolitics, corporate power andillicit finance.

With reports that Russian oligarchs may rush to convert their assets into cryptocurrencies to avoid sanctions, many are rightly questioning whether crypto has a future at all

However, the UK does not need to choose between a total crackdown on ownership of cryptocurrencies and the Wild West approach advocated by some parts of the Conservative Party.

Properly regulated crypto assets have the potential to transform our economy and the financial services sector. Many innovative companies are embracing different forms of blockchain technology to improve transparency in finance and to create high-skilled, high-productivity jobs across the UK. This has the potential to reduce regional inequalities, with $696m invested in financial technology companies based outside London and the south-east in 2021 alone, driving efficiencies in all sorts of industries.

But the government has risked undermining the reputation of thesector. In the absence of acomprehensive regulatory regime, the UK has become a centre for illicit crypto activity. According to Chainalysis a global leader in blockchain research cryptocurrency-based crime such as terrorist financing, money laundering, fraud and scams hit a new all-time high in 2021, with illicit activity in the UK estimated to be worth over $500m.

Despite pressure from Labour and the financial sector, ministers have yet to acknowledge the scale of the threat.

The FCA has identified over 230 unregistered crypto asset firms operating in the UK. Many companies have not even applied to register for anti-money laundering or know your customer checks, yet face little or nosanction from the government. This hasallowed some firms to exploit anonymity-enhancing technology to protect the identity of criminals and individuals linked to hostile states such as Russia.

Also concerning is the rise of crypto-related scams in the UK reports of digital assets fraud were up by 50 per cent in 2021 compared with the previous year. The government has stood by and let the firms responsible for these scams trade with impunity and has continued to delay introducing stronger rules on the advertisement and marketing of cryptocurrency products.

A survey by investment platform AJ Bell found that many crypto investors are simply unaware of the high-risk nature of their investments. This is worrying, particularly as many of these investors have sunk a huge proportion of their savings into crypto half dont have an ISA while four in ten dont have a pension. A serious collapse in crypto could therefore not only wipe out the life savings of many people, but also significantly destabilise the UKs financial market.

US President Joe Biden has announced plans to introduce a comprehensive, all-of-government framework to address the emerging risks and opportunities posed by crypto assets. If the UK doesnt follow suit, we are at risk of falling behind our global competitors, including the US, in the crypto space. We could be leaving ourselves open to market failure. A Labour government would be serious about attracting fintech companies to the UK and safely harnessing the progressive potential of crypto technology. But its time to reject the arguments of the libertarian right and properly regulate the sector.

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Here is the original post:
Why we need to end the crypto Wild West - The New Statesman

By Dan Murphy

A Zogby poll for NY Governor in February had democrat Kathy Hochul at 50%, republican Lee Zeldin at 29%, and Libertarian party candidate Larry Sharpe at 6%. We wondered who Larry Sharpe is and why he is running for Governor.

Larry Sharpe is a businessman, consultant, Marine Corps Veteran, Native New Yorker, and active member in the Libertarian Party. In 2016, Sharpe wanted to be the Libertarian Party nominee for vice-president. He lost the party nomination to Bill Weld.

In 2018 Sharpe ran as the Libertarian candidate for NY Governor, and received 95,033 votes, (1.6%). This total entitled Sharpe and the Libertarian Party automatic ballot access in NY for the next four years.

But in 2019 former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo, angry at the Working Families Party for endorsing Cynthia Nixon for Governor, changed the election laws in NY to make it harder for minor parties like the Libertarian Party to stay on the ballot.

Last year, the Libertarian Party and three other minor parties lost their ballot status in NY. Sharpe is running for Governor of NY in 2022 but at the same time, working to collect the 45,000 signatures needed to run on the Libertarian Party line.

We spoke to Sharpe about his run for governor. Im running to show the people of New York that there is another option. We started this in 2018 and we got on the TV news shows, the Joe Rogan show, and made a real campaign. And to get 2% on the Libertarian Party line in NY, the deepest blue state, is amazing.

Now in 2022 the work continues. We are a real third party. Most of the minor political parties are puppet parties, they follow the democrats or republicans. And while fewer and fewer people are registered democrat or republican, the Libertarians are growing.

My campaign is traveling to every county in New York State. We are building a real party. In 2019 we elected libertarians across the state. The biggest win for Libertarians in New York State was when Michael Korchak was elected District Attorney of Broome County. We have a DA in New York who is a libertarian. That used to be unheard of, said Sharpe.

Now they made it harder for us to run statewide. We now must collect 45,000 signature and we have to get 130,000 votes every two years. In 2018 I did what the state told me to do, we would give you ballot access for four years if you got more than 50,000 votes. The state said screw you and reneged on their agreement.

The decision to cancel our party resulted in disenfranchising registered libertarian voters. If you dont like Larry Sharpe then dont vote for me. But dont put harm on thousands of New Yorkers who lost their party. We are the only political party that allows people from the left and right to come join us. We only ask that we dont let government impose their views and leave us alone.

Sharpe recently picked up the endorsement of former Presidential candidate Andrew Yang and the Forward Party that he created.

Another small political party in NY, the UniteNY party, is also considering endorsing Sharpe, who is hoping to have three ballot lines in November, Libertarian, UniteNY, and Forward Party, but all three parties have to go out and get 45,000 signatures between April 19-May 24, to get on the ballot.

Im taking a year from my life to raise the money and get on the ballot. But for regular New Yorkers, how can they do this? Only the wealthy and the establishment can do it, and thats the way they want it, an elitist system. And we have to raise and spend $150,000 to do it, said Sharpe.

If elected, I will change the rule overnight, and return to the old rules, they were good enough. I think what we have now is unconstitutional and embarrassing.

Sharpe supports three electoral reforms that he says, will open up the election system in our state.

In New York, its 3 to 1 democrat, and in New York City its 6 to 1 democrat. That means that republican have a zero chance at winning statewide. Its either a democrat or an outsider, and the states getting bluer. One million republicans went to Florida and turned Florida republican red.

Im the outsider, and if you are a republican or a democrat you need to think about what it would take to vote for the other guy. And democrats wont vote for a republican, but they would vote for me.

One hurdle that Sharpe knows that he has to overcome is, A lot of people dont want to vote for me because they think I cant win. They think why waste my vote?

Sharpe said that his campaign strategy centers on preparing to be ready, if Hochul stumbles, those pissed off democratic will never vote republican, but they would think about voting for me. And in a three-way race, you dont need 51% you can win with 35%. That is possible.

And what if I come in 2nd? And beat the republican? Now I have the attention of the media and of New Yorkers and we can begin to talk about actual solutions to our problems. And I do have solutions, as opposed to republican who have no ideas and democrats who have bad ideas.

Sharpe wants to cut property taxes in half by raising money to pay for schools in part by leasing naming rights to MTA properties, bridges and tolls. Right now, neither side is offering solutions. It will only be when there is a viable third party that both sides will try again to help you and solve your problems.

I want to help the working poor, the middle class and the entrepreneurs. If we fix those three parts of our state, we can save our state. Sharpe added, I hope Andrew Cuomo runs because that hurts the democratic candidate. He will have to create his own party to run.

Sharpe also distinguished himself from the other candidates by pointing out, Im the only candidate not getting a government check. I dont have a government job or a government pension. Your tax dollars dont pay a dime to me. Im the only one suffering with you.

I say to those New Yorkers who are pissed off at our government, come to me, Im the anti-establishment candidate. Im trying to make New York a better place, visit LarrySharpe.com for more information.

More:
Larry Sharpe, and Libertarians, Want New Yorkers to Look Beyond Democrat and Republican Parties - Yonkers Times