This is the first of three stories about candidates for Indiana governor. Todays story looks at Libertarian Rupert Boneham.

INDIANAPOLIS Libertarian Rupert Boneham remembers getting caught by police with a six-pack of beer at age 18.

They made him dump it out and followed him back home to tell his parents. He wasnt cited or arrested but that didnt matter.

The lesson was learned, Boneham recalls. And my life wasnt ruined.

This is a key message he wants to spread while campaigning for governor the need to reform the criminal justice system so young people arent permanently punished by minor miscues.

Jail should be used for people who are hurting others, Boneham said. He has generally followed a theme of less government intervention in society, including his opposition to passage of a new law by Republicans that bars certain agreements between unions and private companies.

Boneham, 48, has an uphill battle, though, in his race to be the states top executive. He is facing six-term U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, a Republican, and former Indiana House Speaker John Gregg, a Democrat.

In recent polls, he received between 3 percent and 5 percent of the vote, a number Libertarian candidates in various races usually hover at.

Andy Downs, director of the Downs Center for Indiana Politics at IPFW, said he is surprised the number isnt higher given Bonehams relative fame.

Boneham competed on several seasons of TVs Survivor and became known for his bushy beard and tie-dye apparel. He won the $1 million prize based on audience votes in 2004.

Read the original here:

Boneham raising Libertarian profile