Dennis Baylor's 'Pyrrhic victory'

Dennis Baylor is an independent candidate for Pennsylvania's 29th state Senate District. He put out a press release on Friday saying that nobody challenged his nominating petition as of the end of the day Friday (the state deadline), so his name will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot next to incumbent Republican Sen. James Rhoades and Democratic challenger Peter Symons Jr.

Having the weekend to think about his candidacy, Baylor put out a new press release Monday describing his his ballot access victory as "Pyrrhic." If you're not up on your Greek, Pyrrhic refers to Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, or his costly victory.

From Online Etymology Dictionary: "from Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, who defeated Roman armies at Asculum, 280 B.C.E., but at such cost to his own troops that he was unable to follow up and attack Rome itself, and is said to have remarked, "one more such victory and we are lost."

Here's today's press release from Baylor describing how difficult it is for an independent or any third-party candidate to mount an effective campaign in Pennsylvania:

HAMBURG, PA - In a statement released today, state senate candidate Dennis Baylor claimed that one more victory like his recent win of a spot on the November General Election ballot would utterly ruin his candidacy.

In an unusual move, Baylor acknowledged that the effort required to access the ballot in Pennsylvania has let his campaign broke. "At the official close of business at the Pennsylvania Department of State on Friday, I learned that there had been no challenges to my nominating papers, which was welcomed news; but I also learned that only 84 cents remained in my campaign account," Baylor said.

The candidate claims that the problems of accessing Pennsylvania's ballot goes well beyond the ridiculous number of signatures that Independent candidates must gather, and is exacerbated by the fact that the state systematically denies such candidates equal political opportunity. "I not only have the right to run for office -- I have the right to win” Baylor said. "The state’s administration of its already biased election laws can not be in a manner that creates further obstacles than those that already exist in law."

Even though his campaign is nearly broke, Mr. Baylor is determined to get out his message of lower taxes through cutting government, improving health care, the quality of education in the Commonwealth, and the environment. He is also determined to lead the fight against the upcoming rise in electric rates for residents and businesses in the 29th district and restore regulations to combat usurious interest rates.

Mr. Baylor also said that notwithstanding his gaining a spot on the November ballot, he plans to go forward with his federal lawsuit to address the remaining obstacles to equal political opportunity for all.

For more information on the Baylor campaign, visit www.baylorforsenate.com and http://dennisbaylor.wordpress.com