Rutherford Nominated as Libertarian candidate for Indiana Secretary of State

Press release that went out last Saturday evening announcing my nomination by the Libertarian Party of Indiana as its Secretary of State candidate.

What: Libertarian delegates nominate attorney Mark W. Rutherford as Indiana secretary of state candidate

Contact: Mark Rutherford: 317-809-9000; rutherfordlibertarian@gmail.com

Rutherford: End government interference in mom & pops

Libertarian focuses on small-business needs

in his bid to become Indiana secretary of state

Indiana’s mom and pop businesses have a champion in Mark W. Rutherford as he runs for secretary of state, the office that handles registration of businesses, among other duties.

“Small businesses built Indiana’s economy, yet onerous regulations hurt these businesses most. This will hamper Indiana’s future,” Rutherford said. “We must minimize fees and filings for new businesses and simplify how businesses deal with the secretary of state office.”

Delegates picked Rutherford as Libertarian candidate for secretary of state at the convention Saturday at the Marriott in Indianapolis. The Libertarian Party, Indiana’s only minor party, chooses candidates at self-funded conventions. Republicans and Democrats will choose candidates for secretary of state and other statewide offices at conventions - after voters pick candidates for national and local offices at primary elections that cost millions.

Rutherford’s experience checks the boxes that voters expect for the position that oversees business registrations, elections, and securities.

Experience in small-business: Check.

As an attorney with Thrasher Buschmann & Voelkel, PC in Indianapolis, his firm helps businesses of all sizes navigate the law. Rutherford’s heart is with small business - the firm itself is a small business, he added. “Small businesses encounter enough challenges. They need simplicity when dealing with the Secretary of State office.”

Experience in state government: Check.

Rutherford is chairman of the Indiana Public Defender Commission, where he’s served since 2007.

Experience with Indiana election law: Check.

His practice deals with election law. Also, Rutherford is former chairman of the Libertarian Party of Indiana and a former member of the Libertarian National Committee, where he served as vice chairman. Indiana needs fair, competitive elections. With gerrymandering, politicians are picking voters instead of voters picking officeholders.

Rutherford’s diverse experience extends to boards and committees involving legal and community organizations.

Secretary of state votes determine Indiana ballot access. A party’s candidate must get at least 2 percent of the vote to secure automatic ballot access as a minor party, which the Libertarian Party has; if he gets 10 percent, this boosts the party to major-party status. For more information, go to www.checkmark2018.com or www.LPIN.org.