Libertarian Party of Michigan

Libertarian Party of Michigan
Chairman	James H. Lewis
LNC Rep.	Rebecca Sink-Burris
Political director	Bill Hall
Newsletter Editor	Greg Stempfle
Founded	1972
Headquarters	Troy, MI
Ideology	Libertarianism
International affiliation	ISIL
Website
http://mi.lp.org

The Libertarian Party of Michigan was founded in Taylor, Michigan in 1972 ^[1] and remains on the ballot^[2][3][4]; as Michigan’s third oldest active political party.^[5] It is the Michigan affiliate of the Libertarian Party of the United States.^[6]

Overview

Since its founding, the Libertarian Party of Michigan has fielded candidates for a variety of offices and has retained its position on the state ballot.^[7] In the 2006 general election, the Libertarian Party of Michigan was the only political party in the state to support the successful Michigan Civil Rights Initiative.^[8][9][10] The party's gubernatorial candidate, Greg Creswell,^[11] and his running mate Scotty Boman^[12] made it the centerpiece of their campaigns.^[7] Several Libertarians have held public office in Michigan, most at the local level.^[13][14]. The party is a member of the Michigan Third Parties Coalition which advocates changes in Michigan's election laws.^[15]

Libertarians in public office

Elected Libertarians currently iIn public office^[16]

• Councilman Andrew LeCureaux of Hazel Park ^[17].
• Mayor Pro Tem Mark Owen of Owosso ^[18].
• Councilman Bill Bradley City of South Haven ^[19].
• Another Libertarian elected to office in Michigan was David Eisenbacher who has returned^[20] the Troy City Council.^[21][22][23]
• Park Commissioner Lawrence W. Johnson of Ypsilanti Township was elected in 2008 on a partisan ballot^[24].

Former elected libertarians

Former elected Libertarians include:

• Mayor Pro Tem ^[25] Erin Stahl^[26] of St. Clair Shores,
• Fred Collins, who served as Councilman for the City of Berkley, Michigan ^{[27][28][29][30]} from 1997 until he gave up his position to run for Mayor in 2005, and lost the election.^[31]
• Councilman Mark Byrne^[32]. who is now active with Unifour Area Libertarian Party in North Carolina.
• Park Commissioner Tom Bagwell of Ypsilanti Township was elected in 2008 on a partisan ballot^[24], but left office after moving from Ypsilanti Township.

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.^[13][14]

• Will Tyler White Vice-Chair Meridian Charter Township Economic Development Corporation (EDC)^[14][33]
• Donald Flatt - Commissioner, Portage Parks and Recreation Board.^[14][34]
• Steven Butler - Co-Chair, Grand Rapids Environmental Mandates Committee.^[14]
• James McAbee - Romeo Planning Commission^[14]
• Darrell Johnson - Berkley City Planning Commission^[14]

Defender of Liberty Awards

Libertarian Party of Michigan 2007 Defender of Liberty Award Winners (Leslie Roszman, Michigan for Ron Paul; Scott Boman, LPM activist; and Martin Howrylak, Troy City Council)^[35]

"Defender of Liberty" Awards ("Libbies") have been presented by the Libertarian Party of Michigan at its annual LibertyFest Banquet to a maximum of four select individuals, Libertarian or otherwise, whom the LPM believes have made notable personal efforts in the defense of liberty. Winners must live and/or work in the state of Michigan. The Libertarian Party of Michigan lists three subcategories for the award:^[36]

• Spokesperson for Liberty - a member of the community whose patriotism and conviction have inspired contributions to the cause of Liberty

• Promoter of Liberty - A Libertarian whose efforts have done the most to promote the LP and Libertarian principles

• Producer of Liberty - a dedicated, behind-the-scenes Libertarian whose quiet labors over the years exemplifies the backbone of the LP.^[36]

See also

• Scott Boman
• Greg Creswell

References

1. ^ Salvette, Emily H. "The Libertarian Party of Michigan Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Project""mi.lp.org" (website)
2. ^ Jacobs, Dick M. "Michigan political parties: Libertarian Party" "bentley.umich.edu" (website)
3. ^ Libertarian Party of Michigan, "Official Website" "mi.lp.org" (website)
4. ^ Libertarian Party of Michigan, "Alternate Libertarian Party of Michigan Website" "michiganlp.org" (website)
5. ^ The Associated Press (October 22, 2004). "Libertarians going in with large slate, low expectations". The Macomb Daily. http://www.macombdaily.com/stories/102204/sta_libertar001.shtml. 
6. ^ Libertarian National Committee, "The Party of Principle" "lp.org" (website)
7. ^ ^{a b} Land, Terri (Secretary of State). "Elections in Michigan" "mi.gov" (website)
8. ^ Boman, Scotty (November 21, 2006). "Liberty Fest Honors Defenders of Liberty". LPM Online. http://michiganlp.org/ENewsletters/N20061121.htm. 
9. ^ Boman, Scotty (November 21, 2006). "Liberty Fest Honors Defenders of Liberty". LPM Online. http://lpmich.org/lpmonline/archive/N20061121.php. 
10. ^ By Any Means Necessary,"PICKET & PROTEST of the MICHIGAN LIBERTARIAN PARTY". "bamn.com" (website)
11. ^ Creswell, Greg "Greg Creswell for Governor". "gregcreswell.com" (website)
12. ^ Boman, Scotty "Scotty Boman for Lt. Governor". "scottyboman.com" (website)
13. ^ ^{a b} Michalak, John (December 27, 2006). "A friend to Hazel Park loses battle with lymphoma". Daily Tribune. http://www.dailytribune.com/stories/122706/loc_20061227005.shtml. 
14. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Libertarian Party of Michigan, "Michigan Libertarians In Office""mi.lp.org" (website).
15. ^ "Michigan Third Parties Coalition Formed"
16. ^ Libertarian Party of Michigan, "Elections on November 6th". "Michiganlp.org" (website)
17. ^ Hazel Park City Government, "Elected Officials". "hazelpark.org" (website)
18. ^ Owosso City Government, "Our Local Government". "ci.owosso.mi.us" (website)
19. ^ South Haven City Government, "City Council Members". "south-haven.com" (website)
20. ^ Oparka, Terry (November 7, 2007). "Troy incumbents prevail — the slate does not". C & G newspapers. http://www.candgnews.com/Homepage-Articles/2007/11-7-07/TG-ELECTION.asp. 
21. ^ Michalak, John (March 29, 2005). "Troy eyes prayer policy". Daily Tribune. http://www.dailytribune.com/stories/032905/loc_20050329012.shtml. 
22. ^ Eisenbacher, David [1] "eisenbacher.org" (website)
23. ^ Dirasian, Greg (April 2, 2002). "Eisenbacher Wins!!!". LPM Online. http://www.mi.lp.org/lpmonline/archive/N20020402.shtml. 
24. ^ ^{a b} Hall, Bill (November 27, 2008). "Libertarian Party of Michigan November election highlights". Independent Political Report. http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2008/11/libertarian-party-of-michigan-november-election-highlights. 
25. ^ Stahl, Erin "Erin Stahl for St. Clair Shores City Council". "erinstahl" (website)
26. ^ St. Clair Shores City Government, "St. Clair Shores City Council" . "ci.saint-clair-shores.mi.us" (website)
27. ^ Libertarian Party National Committee, "Our History". "lp.org" (website)
28. ^ The Libertarian Party of Virginia,"59 Libertarians elected to local office in nine states" "lpva.com" (website)
29. ^ Hunter, Melanie; Deputy Managing Editor (2004). "Libertarian, Green, Independent Party Candidates Hold Debate in NYC". CNSNews.com. http://www.crosswalk.com/1282287. 
30. ^ THIRTIETH COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BERKLEY, "THE THIRTY-FOURTH MEETING OF THE THIRTIETH COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BERKLEY, MICHIGAN". "berkleymich.org" (website)
31. ^ Berkley City Government, "2005 Election Results" "berkleymich.org" (website)
32. ^ MURPHY, SHANNON (November 7, 2007). "A vote for change: Former police captain earns most votes in council race". "Times Herald". http://thetimesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071107/NEWS01/711070303. 
33. ^ Meridian Township Board, "CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP BOARD REGULAR MEETING" "meridian.mi.us" (website)
34. ^ Brennan, Ryan "Libertarian Party: Number of Libertarians in Office: 601+" "ThirdPartyNews.net" (website)
35. ^ Stempfle, Greg (May/June, 2002). "Campaign Conference Recap". Michigan Libertarian. http://mi.lp.org/Past%20Newsletters/Michigan%20Libertarian%20Vol%2037.3%202008%20May-June%20COLOR.pdf. 
36. ^ ^{a b} Libertarian Party of Michigan Defender of Liberty Awards. "mi.lp.org" (Website).

External links

• Libertarian Party of Michigan Website
• National Libertarian Party website
• University of Michigan Library Reference
• League of Women Voters Election Guide
• Vote USA Michigan 2006 Election
• Greg Creswell's Vote USA Posting.
• Gregory Creswell's early role in placing MCRI on the Ballot
• Article on the late Lloyd Sherman, holder of many public offices
• International Society for Individual Liberty, Michigan Chapter