Good example for other "third party" vanity candidates?

"SALEM, Ore. — State Sen. Ben Westlund, an independent from Central Oregon, said today he has dropped out of the gubernatorial race, potentially shifting momentum in the race toward Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski.

At a hastily called news conference, Westlund told said he didn't want to be a "spoiler" candidate — in other words, skimming off just enough votes from the Kulongoski camp to give Republican challenger Ron Saxton the victory in what's expected to be one of the nation's most closely fought gubernatorial contests. "

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003190030_webwestlund10.html

featherman, thanks for posting this. I needed to hear there are a few people like this still around.

He's an interesting guy. He left the Republican party behind early this year (or late last year) to become an independent. He angered many with his support of civil unions; I don't think it is any party he is concerned about playing "spoiler" for. He still had people out collecting signatures last week; I talked to one of them at the county fair. I appreciate his move to independence. I'm not comfortable with many of his more conservative stances on issues, or with his ties to agribusiness and health care corporations, so I didn't offer my support for his gubernatorial campaign. I did applaud his move from the "R" column, and hope he continues to be active locally, since he's more moderate than most local reps.

Here's a link to his statement:

http://www.westlundforgovernor.com/index.php