After years of helping with other Libertarians' political campaigns, Joe Johnson of Frederick, Colorado, has been elected as a trustee in that town. In an April 6 election, Johnson came in first in an eight-way race for three seats on the town board.

He won by campaigning for this seat -- in a town of about 5,000 -- as if he were running for Senate, said Ralph Shnelvar, a campaign supporter who served as media contact during the race.

"The man is a dynamo," Shnelvar said. "He has worked on many campaigns, and he would have worked just as hard on anybody else's. He puts his heart and soul into every one.

"He is a very good salesman, not only of things but of Libertarian ideas."

During the six weeks he was running for a seat on the 7-member, non-partisan board, Johnson walked the streets of Frederick "even in pouring rain," knocked on more than 2,000 doors, and had his staff of volunteers get computer-generated maps of the voting density in his town, Shnelvar said.

"He worked unbelievably hard, and his message of freedom and property rights resonated with those who voted. This is a man to watch."

This isn't the first time Johnson worked hard for the Libertarian Party: He and his wife, Elizabeth, joined the party in 1999, and between 2000 and 2003 ran more than 50 voter registration and Libertarian information booths at gun shows and other events, according to BetteRose Ryan, an at-large member of the Libertarian National Committee.

And his efforts in the campaign were rewarded. He received 191 votes -- 16 percent more than his closest competitor.

"Tonight he was asked if he has any political plans above and beyond town trustee," Shnelvar said following a victory party in Frederick. "He said no. It is obvious that he is focused on doing the best job for the citizens of Frederick.

"They are truly lucky to have him. He will do a great job for them."