Libertarian petitions his way onto the ballot

GREENWICH -- He and his family have contributed more than $9,000 to his campaign, and the payoff so far has been a spot on the November ballot.

Greenwich hedge fund founder Phil Maymin has collected enough signatures for the secretary of the state to recognize him as a Libertarian candidate for the 4th Congressional District.

"I am here to represent those of us who are sick and tired of the stranglehold the two-party system has taken of our liberties," the 31-year-old Cos Cob resident said at a news conference yesterday at his office at 222 Railroad Ave. "I am here to represent new directions."

In the battle against a Republican incumbent and Democratic challenger, the 31-year-old Cos Cob resident said he will appeal to voters from both parties.

"I am more of a Republican than my opponent Christopher Shays, and I am more of a Democrat than my opponent Diane Farrell," Maymin said.

Maymin said he favors cutting government spending and slashing taxes. He also is against the invasion of Iraq and enactment of the Patriot Act, which expands the government's ability to track the movement of people suspected of terrorism.

Maymin, who has spent more than $5,000 of his money on collecting signatures -- including paying petitioners an hourly wage of $20 or more -- said he wants to focus on raising money from donors and campaigning.

"The way I'll run my campaign will be different," he said. "I'm going to do a lot more on the Internet and a lot more on alternative media."

Third-party candidates typically don't garner enough votes to present a challenge in congressional races, though Maymin could garner crucial votes in what is expected to be a close race between Shays and Farrell.

Green Party candidate, Richard Duffee, 57, of Stamford, also is seeking to petition his way onto the ballot, though he has not collected enough signatures, according to the secretary of state.