Libertarian Party of Michigan
PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE ISSUE, April 25th, 2017
Detroit MI – Libertarians are having their first primary in Michigan history. The filing deadline for the special election of Michigan’s 1st State House District was at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, and noted Libertarian activist Gregory Creswell will be running unopposed.
He will be the first candidate of any third party to appear in a primary election since 1998, and will be the first third party candidate to ever appear in a special election primary… at least since the current election law was enacted in 1954. “We were unable to determine if any Michigan third party candidates were balloted in publically run special election primaries (as opposed to private caucuses) before that date, so this may very well be the first such primary ever.” Said Libertarian Party of Michigan (LPM) political director Scotty Boman. *
Libertarians achieved primary ballot status because of Libertarian Presidential candidate Gary Johnson’s Michigan vote count in 2016. The special election was called because Democratic 1st District Representative Brian Banks resigned his seat after admitting to providing false information in the course of applying for a loan. That primary will be held on August 8th, 2017 to coincide with the City of Detroit’s non-partisan municipal primary. Creswell filed for the Special Primary on March 30th but more Libertarian candidates could have filed any time up through April 25th.
Creswell is probably best known for being instrumental in the success of the Michigan Civil Rights initiative (MCRI). As the volunteer organizer, starting in 2004, he ensured that the measure got on the ballot in 2006. He made frequent appearances on talk radio, as well as being interviewed on television and in print about the initiative.
In 2006 Creswell placed third, as the only candidate for Governor to support MCRI, while also being the only African American in that race. In spite of opposition from the mainstream political establishment, the measure was overwhelmingly supported by the electorate.
Libertarian Party of Michigan Chairman was noticeably excited about Creswell’s entry into the primary, “The Libertarian Party is proud to have such a principled candidate as Greg Creswell for this special election. Voters in Detroit deserve a viable alternative to one-party representation. The historic nature of any non-Republican / non-Democrat engaging in the primary is a wonderful opportunity to be heard. Greg’s effort is a bell-weather of our commitment to the cities of the 1st District and their citizens, who are starved for freedom from political machines and being taken for granted”
Since he is the only Libertarian in a partisan election this year, he is anticipating unprecedented support from Libertarians throughout the state. “I will campaign in defense of individual rights and the free market. Which means, if I am elected, I will seek to completely repeal the No-Fault law, deny politicians access to our income and support Constitutional carry gun rights.” Said Creswell. His goal is to be the first Libertarian to serve in Michigan’s House of Representatives.
* Research by Greg Stempfle: https://gregstempfle.com/2017/04/04/greg-creswell-and-the-adventures-of-third-party-primaries/
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Contacts:
Gregory Creswell, Candidate
Gregcreswell.com
313.527.9099
i.am4_gcreswell@yahoo.com
Bill Gelineau, Chair
Libertarian Party of Michigan
616-723-2776
Chair@MichiganLP.org
Scotty Boman, Political Director
Libertarian Party of Michigan
313.247.2052
PoliticalDirector@MichiganLP.org
