AUTUMN BROWNE POLITICAL SCRAPBOOK

The Libertarian Party

Like political father, like daughter: Another Browne throws hat into ring

Autumn Browne: "My dad has always been a great supporter of everything I do."

Autumn Browne, 40, a drama teacher at Brookhurst Junior High School in Anaheim, California, is the LP candidate in the state's 67th District -- and said the top priority of her campaign will be to publicize the Libertarian Party.

"I was shocked to find out there was a party out there that felt the way I did," said Browne, describing her first exposure to the party -- which happened in 1995 when she learned that her father was running for president. "Maybe I can reach someone else who feels the same way."

The campaign for State Assembly is Autumn Browne's second experience in politics; her first was with her father's campaign, helping with fundraising. And now he's returning the favor by giving her campaign advice, she said.

His first suggestion: "Get out there and do as much speaking as possible," she recounted.

And that shouldn't be difficult for her.

"Her background has made her very comfortable speaking in front of people," said Harry Browne, referring to his daughter's previous experience doing stand-up comedy.

And if she gets elected, Harry Browne said, he hopes she can have "the same kind of influence [Congressman] Ron Paul does" -- perhaps as the lone Libertarian in the State Assembly who is willing to vote against a bad bill.

"My dad has always been a great supporter of everything I do," Autumn Browne said. "He always reminded me that everything I have, I earned: He didn't give it to me and the government didn't give it to me."

In her campaign, education reform will be the biggest issue, she said.

"Public schools are so watered down," she said. "They try to be everything to everybody and end up being nothing to everybody."

As the Libertarian solution, she said she will advocate privatizing schools and giving parents a choice in the education of their children.

In addition, Browne said she uses her current teaching position to let people know about the party, by keeping posters and LP literature in her classroom.

"In my own small way, I'm spreading the message," she said.

And she had words of praise for other Libertarians who do what they can -- in their own "small way" -- to help the LP succeed.

"Congratulations to every member and especially to everyone who takes that step to run for office," she said. "Anyone who works with the party should be applauded for their courage and their belief in the dream of making America better."