California State Senator Tom McClintock, the most libertarian member of the state legislature, has declared his candidacy for Congress in a now-open district in northern California.
McClintock has worked closely with Libertarian Party leaders for several years, and has appeared at libertarian events. He is a strong fiscal conservative, but is also a strong supporter of medical marijuana and other civil liberties issues.
McClintock has represented a southern California senate district, but is running for a northern California seat being vacated by retiring Rep. John Doolittle, who is down amid a federal corruption investigation. Although he will be tagged as a carpetbagger, his immense popularity with conservatives have turned him into an instant front-runner.
McClintock’s state senate term expires next January and term limits prevent him from running for reelection.
4:36 pm on March 4, 2008
