By Nick Niedzwiadek | Published 14 hours ago
DURHAM As Republicans battle for Sen. Kay Hagan's seat ahead of the May primary, the state Libertarian Party is trying to provide an alternative to Democrats and Republicans.
Prospective candidates Tim DAnnunzio, abusinessman, and Sean Haugh , the former executive directorof the N.C. Libertarian Party, participated in a forum in Durham during the state LibertarianConvention this weekend . About 40 people attended.
The Libertarian Party will hold a primary on May 6, its first since the 2000 gubernatorial election.
Libertarians, which makes up less than 23,500 registered voters out of 6.5 million in the state, is theonly third party officially recognized on the ballot in North Carolina.
DAnnunzio and Haugh are part of acrowded field vying for the U.S. Senateseat currently held by Hagan. Including Hagan, there are 13 candidates running forher seat as this will be one of the most competitive Senate races in the2014 election.
The deadline to register to vote in the Democratic, Republican or Libertarianparty primaries is Friday. The general election will be held Nov. 4.
At the convention, D'Annunzio and Hugh discussed the chances of a Libertarian candidate attracting media and popular attention during the election.
I'll be able to bring up the points and bringout the contrast between me and the Democratic or Republican candidates, DAnnunzio said.
Haugh said he would also focus on the contrast between mainstream and Libertarian Party platforms.
Read more:
N.C. Libertarians meet to discuss next primary candidates