Libertarian Party of Michigan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Libertarian Party of Michigan
ChairGregory Stempfle[1]
Vice ChairsBen Boren and Jamie Lewis
SecretaryWendi Parker
TreasurerNorman Peterson
Founded1972
HeadquartersLansing, MI
IdeologyLibertarianism
Colors  Gold
Michigan House of Representatives
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Michigan Senate
0 / 38
Statewide Executive Offices
0 / 4
U.S. House of Representatives
0 / 14
U.S. Senate
0 / 2
Website
michiganlp.org

The Libertarian Party of Michigan is a Michigan state political party advocating a libertarian ideology and the state affiliate of the Libertarian Party of the United States. The party gained primary ballot access status in 2016 because of the vote total of presidential nominee Gary Johnson. The party lost their status since their 2018 gubernatorial nominee Bill Gelineau failed to reach that threshold in the general election.

Several Libertarians have held public office in Michigan, most at the local level.[2] The party is a member of the Michigan Third Parties Coalition which advocates changes in Michigan's election laws.[3][relevant?]

History[]

Libertarian Party of Michigan was founded in 1972. In the mid-1990s, the party had 1,500 dues paying members. The party was down to 800 such members in 2004. The party had a candidate in every congressional race in 2000 but failed to repeat in 2002. For 2004, the party had candidates in all 15 congressional races and 21 state House races[4] in 2007, the party joined with the existing third parties to form Michigan Third Parties Coalition lobbying group.[3]

In 2016, Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson won 172,136 votes in Michigan, qualifying the state party for a primary election in 2018. The only contested election on its primary ballot is for governor with Grand Rapids businessman Bill Gelineau and retired teacher John Tatar.[5]

In April 2020, U.S. Representative Justin Amash of Michigan's 3rd District joined the Libertarians, becoming the first and so far only member of Congress or federal official representing the party from any state, after leaving the Republican Party in 2019 and spending many months as an independent.[6] He declined to seek reelection under his new affiliation and retired from Congress in 2021.

Libertarians in public office[]

Elected libertarians currently in public office[]

  • Andrew LeCureaux — Hazel Park City Councilman[7]
  • Bruce Gosling — Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees Treasurer (elected in a non-partisan election in 2003 and has remained in office as of January 2017)[8] As of 2021 he is Chairperson.[9]
  • Scotty Boman - Detroit Community Advisory Chairperson for District 4.[10][11]
  • Gregory Creswell - Detroit Community Advisory Council District 4.[12][13]
  • Donna Gundle-Krieg - Mancelona Township Board of Trustees. [14][15]

Libertarians elected under a different party affiliation[]

Former elected libertarians[]

  • Mark Byrne — Port Huron Councilman,[16] who is now active with the Unifour Area Libertarian Party in North Carolina.
  • Tom Bagwell — Ypsilanti Township Park Commissioner (elected in 2008 on a partisan ballot)[17]
  • Bill Bradley — South Haven City Councilman[18]
  • Elizabeth Corder — Ypsilanti Township Park Commissioner (elected in 2016 on a partisan ballot)[19]
  • Fred Collins — Councilman for the City of Berkley, Michigan [20][21][22][23] from 1997 until he gave up his position to run for Mayor in 2005, and lost the election.[24]
  • Rev. James W. Clifton City Councilman from the town of Addison; became the first Michigan Libertarian to win public office[25]
  • David Eisenbacher — Troy City Councilman[26] to office.[27][28][29]
  • Lawrence W. Johnson — Ypsilanti Township Park Commissioner (elected in 2008 on a partisan ballot)[17]
  • Erwin Haas — City of Kentwood 2nd Ward Commissioner[30]
  • Erin Stahl — Mayor Pro Tem [31][32] of St. Clair Shores,


Libertarians appointed to public office[]

  • Lloyd Sherman (died December 25, 2006) — Hazel Park Brownfield Authority, Hazel Park Facilities and Infrastructure Citizens Advisory Board, Hazel Park Fence Review Board, Hazel Park Zoning Board of Appeals, Hazel Park General Building Authority.[2]
  • Will Tyler White — Vice-Chair, Meridian Charter Township Economic Development Corporation<[33]
  • Mike Saliba— Clinton Township Historical Commission[34]

See also[]

  • 2006 AEGold Proof Obv.png Libertarianism portal

References[]

  1. ^ "Leadership". Libertarian Party of Michigan. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Michalak, John (December 27, 2006). "A Friend to Hazel Park Loses Battle With Lymphoma". Daily Tribune.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Winger, Richard (July 3, 2007). "Michigan Minor Parties Form Lobbying Coalition". Ballot Access News. Richard Winger. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  4. ^ "Libertarians Going in with Large Slate, Low Expectations". The Macomb Daily. Associated Press. October 22, 2004. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
  5. ^ Gibbons, Lauren (July 18, 2018). "First-ever primary ballot puts Michigan Libertarian Party in uncharted territory". Mlive Michigan. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  6. ^ "Justin Amash Becomes the First Libertarian Member of Congress". Reason. April 29, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  7. ^ Hazel Park City Government. "Elected Officials". Hazel Park City Government.
  8. ^ "Elected Officials". Libertarian Party of Michigan.
    "Glen Oaks Board of Trustees". Glen Oaks Community College.
  9. ^ https://www.glenoaks.edu/about-us/college-leadership-committees/
  10. ^ https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2021/07/28/detroit-councilman-accused-accepting-35-k-bribery-scheme/5400229001/
  11. ^ https://libertariancandidates.news/blogs/news/michigan-elects-local-libertarian-candidates
  12. ^ https://libertariancandidates.news/blogs/news/michigan-elects-local-libertarian-candidates
  13. ^ https://www.telegramnews.net/story/2020/11/26/lifestyles/community-advisory-councils-seek-recognition/1210.html
  14. ^ https://www.mancelonatownship.com/township-board/1-mancelona-township-board
  15. ^ https://www.record-eagle.com/news/local_news/two-on-ballot-for-mancelona-township-supervisor/article_68af6ae0-1554-11eb-986e-9bb994b39e48.html
  16. ^ Murphy, Shannon (November 7, 2007). "A Vote for Change: Former Police Captain Earns Most Votes in Council Race". Times Herald.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b Hall, Bill (November 27, 2008). "Libertarian Party of Michigan November Election Highlights". Independent Political Report.
  18. ^ South Haven City Government. "City Council Members". South Haven City Government.
  19. ^ Winger, Richard (November 21, 2016). "Three Parties Win Seats on Ypsilanti Township Park Commission Board". Ballot Access News.
  20. ^ Libertarian Party National Committee, "Our History" Archived January 30, 2006, at the Wayback Machine. "lp.org" (website)
  21. ^ Libertarian Party of Virginia. "59 Libertarians elected to local office in nine states". Libertarian Party of Virginia.
  22. ^ Hunter, Melanie (2004). "Libertarian, Green, Independent Party Candidates Hold Debate in NYC". CNSNews.com.
  23. ^ Thirtieth Council of the City of Berkley. "The Thirty-Fourth Meeting of the Thirtieth Council of the City of Berkley" (PDF). Thirtieth Council of the City of Berkley.
  24. ^ Berkley City Government. "2005 Election Results". Berkley City Government.
  25. ^ "Michigan Elects First Libertarian!". Michigan Libertarian. May–June 1988. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  26. ^ Oparka, Terry (November 7, 2007). "Troy Incumbents Prevail — The Slate Does Not". C & G newspapers.
  27. ^ Michalak, John (March 29, 2005). "Troy Eyes Prayer Policy". Daily Tribune.
  28. ^ Eisenbacher, David. "eisenbacher.org".
  29. ^ Dirasian, Greg (April 2, 2002). "Eisenbacher Wins!!!". LPM Online.
  30. ^ City of Kentwood. "2nd Ward Commissioner Erwin Haas". City of Kentwood.
    Haas, Erwin. "Erwin Haas Libertarian".
  31. ^ Stahl, Erin. "Erin Stahl for St. Clair Shores City Council".
  32. ^ St. Clair Shores City Government. "St. Clair Shores City Council". St. Clair Shores City Government.
  33. ^ Meridian Township Board. "Charter Township of Meridian Township Board Regular Meeting Meridian Township Board".
  34. ^ "Clinton Township Historical Commission". www.ctwphc.org. Retrieved August 10, 2017.

Notes[]

External links[]

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