It was a tempting offer, another chance at a seat in congress. But Wink Hartman announced Thursday he will not run with the Libertarian party. "He doesn't want to risk coming across like a sore loser," said Hartman's spokesman Michael O'Donnell.
That's just one of the many reasons Hartman turned down a chance to run as a third party candidate for the 4th District congressional seat. "Wink Hartman coming in would throw a monkey wrench which would make it next to impossible for Pompeo to win," O'Donnell said.
He says the 4th district race is already close and Hartman would have split votes between Pompeo and Raj Goyle. Hartman didn't want to risk losing the republican seat in Washington. "It's not a whole hearted I'm endorsing Mike Pompeo, but I understand we need to get republicans elected. It's more about winning the war than the battle" O'Donnell said.
Hartman's decision comes as a relief to the Sedgwick County Republican party. "Wink Hartman understands what's at stake here," director Kelly Arnold said. Several big name republicans called Hartman this week to point out exactly what was at stake. "To say he got a lot of flack would be accurate but nobody was trying to strong arm him," O'Donnell said. He says Hartman came to the decision himself because he knows it's in the best interest for the party he believes in.
O'Donnell says Hartman was humbled by the Libertarians offer. There are no current Libertarian candidates in Washington so he was flattered they thought he could win.
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Original Story, September 7
It could be Friday before we know if Wink Hartman is back in the race for Kansas' 4th Congressional District.
The former Republican candidate spoke with Kansas Libertarian party leaders Tuesday. However, he will not answer if he will be a candidate for the third party until the end of the week.
If he joins, this could cause a shake up in the November election.
"You get possibly a big name candidate, someone with some money, someone with a chance to advertise themselves, and make an impact on the election," explained Friends University professor Dr. Russell Arben Fox. "You get someone like that running as a libertarian, all bets are off."
Wink Hartman may have another chance at becoming a congressman. Tuesday afternoon, the libertarian party approached the businessman-turned-politician.
Michael O'Donnell II, a spokesman for Hartman, spoke with Eyewitness News Tuesday. "Overall, Wink's message was deregulation, getting the government out of the private sector, getting the government out of health care," O'Donnell explained. "There are many issues where the Libertarian party lines up with Wink's values and ideology."
The Libertarian Party of Kansas says its members prefer minimal government involvement; a 'live and let live' philosophy that may go along well with Hartman's beliefs.
Professor Fox thinks Hartman may bring a dose of star-power to a third party. "If you have a name like Wink Hartman on the ballot, but he's down there with the 3rd party candidates, you might have some people looking at some of those other 3rd party candidates as well."
But a third party candidate - especially one like Hartman - would also split the vote.
Fox thinks the former Republican candidate would pull votes away from the current Republican candidate. "This is the sort of thing that will result in bad news for Pompeo, and good news for Goyle, absolutely."
The Libertarian Party's current nominee, David Moffett, withdrew because of health concerns. Hartman finished third to Republican nominee Mike Pompeo and state Sen. Jean Schodorf in August's GOP primary.
If he gets back in the race, Hartman will face Pompeo, Goyle (D), and Susan Ducey (Reform) on November 3.
The winner will succeed Rep. Todd Tiahrt who lost his primary race for the U.S. Senate. The 4th Congressional District includes the Wichita area and the surrounding counties, including Newton, El Dorado and Winfield.
Expect upates on-air, online and on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/KWCH12).
