Andre Marrou

Andrew Verne Marrou is a former American politician known for his service in the Alaska House of Representatives, where he represented the 5th district as a member of the Libertarian Party from 1985 to 1987. In addition to his legislative work, Marrou gained national attention as the Libertarian vice-presidential nominee in the 1988 election and later as the party's presidential nominee in the 1992 election. His political career is marked by a commitment to libertarian principles and a focus on issues related to individual liberties and limited government.

Early life and career

Andrew Verne Marrou was born on December 4, 1938, in Nixon, Texas. He completed his secondary education at San Marcos High School, where he demonstrated academic excellence by becoming one of the first recipients of a National Merit Scholarship. Following high school, Marrou attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1962. During his time at MIT, he earned the nickname "Andre" from his French roommates.

Before entering the political arena, Marrou was involved in various community service organizations. He served in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary while living in Massachusetts and later became a member of the Civil Air Patrol after relocating to Alaska in 1973. His move to Alaska marked a significant turning point in his life, as he became actively engaged in local politics and community affairs.

Marrou joined the Alaska Libertarian Party in September 1976 after encountering a brochure in Anchorage. His involvement in the party quickly escalated, and he assumed the role of vice chair of the Alaska Libertarian Party. He contributed to the establishment of a Libertarian affiliate in Homer, Alaska, and later moved to Perl Island before returning to Homer in 1980. In 1986, he relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he worked as a real estate broker.

Legislative service

Marrou's political career in the Alaska House of Representatives began when he ran for Seat B in the 5th district in 1982. Although he placed second in that election, he successfully won a seat in the state house in 1984. His victory was notable as he defeated the incumbent Republican representative, Milo Fritz, by a narrow margin of 56 votes. Marrou became the third Libertarian member to serve in the Alaska state house, following Dick Randolph and Ken Fanning. His campaign for the state house was marked by significant financial investment, with a total expenditure of $21,600, including $10,150 allocated for television advertising.

Following his election, Marrou faced challenges regarding the legitimacy of his victory. The defeated incumbent, Fritz, requested that Lieutenant Governor Steve McAlpine decertify Marrou's win, alleging that Marrou had knowingly misrepresented information on his conflict-of-interest form. However, McAlpine declined to take action on this request. Marrou served a single term in the legislature, during which he did not align himself with either the Democratic or Republican caucuses. Instead, he maintained his independence as a member of the Libertarian Party.

During his tenure in the Alaska House of Representatives, Marrou was active in legislative matters, serving on both the Community and Regional Affairs and Transportation committees. He was known for introducing a significant number of bills, more than any other member of the state house during that period. However, despite his legislative efforts, only one of his proposed bills was passed into law. In 1986, Marrou sought reelection but was defeated by Democratic nominee C.E. Swackhammer.

Policy focus and district

Throughout his political career, Marrou was a strong advocate for libertarian principles, which emphasized individual liberties, limited government, and personal responsibility. His policy positions included a call for the abolition of the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Reserve, and the income tax. He also supported abortion rights and gay rights, reflecting a commitment to social freedoms. Additionally, Marrou advocated for the elimination of all border restrictions and sought to repeal the Merchant Marine Act of 1920.

Marrou's political ambitions extended beyond his legislative service in Alaska. In February 1987, he announced his candidacy for the vice-presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party at the party's state convention in California. Although he initially declined a nomination for the presidential candidacy, he eventually accepted the vice-presidential nomination at the national convention, where he was nominated by David Bergland. Marrou's involvement in national politics continued as he later announced his candidacy for the presidency in the 1992 election, securing the Libertarian presidential nomination in August 1991.

During his presidential campaign, Marrou faced various challenges, including internal disputes within his campaign staff and scrutiny regarding his personal life. Despite these issues, he managed to raise substantial funds for his campaign, although he did not qualify for matching funds. In the 1992 election, he received approximately 291,628 votes, which accounted for 0.28% of the popular vote, placing him fourth in the election.

Marrou's political career was characterized by a commitment to the principles of the Libertarian Party, emphasizing the importance of individual rights and limited government intervention in the lives of citizens. His legislative service in Alaska and subsequent national campaigns reflect his dedication to promoting libertarian ideals and advocating for policies that align with those beliefs.