20 MAY 2006 – SOUTH ST PAUL MN – In an unanimous decision of the assembled delegates, Ben Powers of Austin has received the endorsement of the Constitution Party of Minnesota as their candidate for the US Senate.  Powers has already received endorsements from the 100% Pro-Life PAC and the New Federalist Party.  Mr. Powers is now the second man to receive the endorsement of a registered Minnesota political party.  Charles Aldrich of New Prague received the endorsement of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota on April 15th.

 

Constitution Party of Minnesota chairman John Robillard nominated Mr. Powers for the endorsement.  Mr. Robillard stated of Powers, “Ben has been active in the party for over three years, and has entered his classic car in several parades promoting the party for the past three summers.  I expect Ben will work just as hard promoting the Constitution Party as our US Senate candidate.”

 

Mr. Powers opened his speech with a quote by Benjamin Franklin the oldest signer of the US Constitution.  “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” 

 

Mr. Powers’ endorsement speech outlined his opposition to the proposed National Animal Identification System.  Speaking often of ever increasing violation of private property rights and violation of the 5th Amendment of the US Constitution, Mr. Powers encouraged the delegates to make themselves well-versed on the NAIS.  Two websites were offered as resources on the subject, NoNAIS.org and StopAnimalID.org.

 

Powers’ speech also emphasized his pro-life credentials stating, “Children conceived of rape and incest have just as much of a right to life as any other child.”  Powers has stated a desire to remove all federal funding of Planned Parenthood pointing out that Planned Parenthood is the world’s largest abortion provider.

 

Mr. Powers will now need to gather signatures from over 2000 adult Minnesotans between the 4th of July and the July 18th filing deadline to earn a place on the November 7th General Election ballot.  The winners of the Republican, Democratic, and Independence Party September 12th primaries will not need to gather signatures to attain ballot access.