The race for the 35th District state Senate

Alex Coolman

When Paul Studier talks about Proposition 38, the controversial

initiative that could modify some funding for public education, his tone

is far from guarded.

“I support that [proposition] as a first step,” said the 35th district

state Senate candidate. “But ultimately I’d like to see the government

get out of funding altogether.”

It’s a position more extreme than that taken by even the most

conservative of Republicans. But Studier isn’t campaigning as a

Republican; he’s running as a Libertarian, and an unapologetic one at

that.

“We want to restrict government to its absolute minimum,” Studier

said.

So what should the state handle?

Police, and military defense.

And that’s just about all.

Although Studier, 46, discusses the political issues intelligently and

with a quirky insight, he admits that he’s not the most comfortable

candidate ever to step into the public arena.

“It’s a stretch for me. I’m sort of an introvert,” the former computer

engineer said, proudly displaying his pen-stuffed pocket protector. “But

I feel it’s important, and they needed someone to run this race.”

Education isn’t the only issue on which Studier takes an outspoken

stance. He’s also adamant about the error of the war on drugs and calls

for decriminalization of drug offenses.

“It’s one of the things that Libertarians are pushing this time. It’s

one of our absolute core beliefs, and neither the Democrats nor the

Republicans are touching it at all.”

He also argues that the state’s “three strikes and you’re out” bill,

which slaps repeat offenders with severe sentences, is misguided.

“It’s just perverse,” he said. “People get locked away for things like

stealing a pizza.”

The odds of his taking state Sen. Ross Johnson’s seat away, Studier

concedes, are long. “The Republicans get about two-thirds of the vote,

and he’s the incumbent,” Studier said.

But Studier’s out there anyway, carrying the Libertarian flag for

anyone who cares to salute.

“I go to a lot of fair booths,” he said. “I’m on street corners

holding signs.”