Libertarian Adrian Wyllie Ready to Sue Over Debates

Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Adrian Wyllie announced on Thursday he was bringing in attorney Luke Lirot as he looks to bring legal action to take part in the debates with Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist. Lirot has considerable experience on this front, having represented Reform Party candidate Max Linn in his efforts to be included in the 2006 gubernatorial debates.

"For too long, the Republican-Democrat 'duopoly' has controlled the conversation, and they have used their power to silence the competition, Wyllie said. Their attempts to exclude me from the debates is just another example."

After meeting with Mr. Lirot, I feel he not only understands the battle we are willing to take on, but is as devoted to the cause of having the undeniable third option heard on the debate stage, said Wyllie campaign manager Danielle Alexandre. I feel he has the same vigor as all of our staff and volunteers do, to ensure that Adrian be on that stage. I could not be happier to have him join our team.

Wyllies team pointed to a Quinnipiac Poll released this week which showed their candidate at 8 percent and noted the 2014 debates were using a different standard than Linn faced back in 2006.

The campaign is set to fight to make sure that we be included in the debates and we will not stand for our voices to be silenced by erroneous criteria set out to exclude viable alternatives in the race, the Wyllie campaign noted earlier this week. In 2006, the criteria to secure participation in the debates required only that a candidate poll 7 percent or higher. What has changed in our political environment to warrant such a significant change in their criteria? Why in 2006 was 7 percent viable, but in 2014 it is 15 percent?"

"The people of Florida are demanding a third choice, and we are going to make sure that their voice is heard, Wyllie said on Thursday. We will not go quietly."