Link to the May 2022 Michigan Libertarian
By Greg Stempfle, former LPM Chair and Newsletter Editor
Longtime Libertarian Party activist Greg Dirasian passed away April 14th at the age of 63.
Greg moved to Michigan in the late 1990s and immediately became a driving force in the party both at the state level and in the Oakland County affiliate.
Greg Dirasian Upgrading the LPM
After the Libertarian Party of Michigan (LPM) lost ballot access in 2000, Greg Dirasian played a major role in the Ballot Access Restoration Committee, which restored ballot access in 2001. That same year, he became editor of the Michigan Libertarian newsletter and made each issue available electronically for the first time.
He served on the LPM Executive Committee from 2001-2002 and again from 2005-2006 and was an officer of the Oakland County affiliate from 1999-2005.
Managing Professional Campaigns
He along with Fred Collins and Barb Goushaw-Collins formed the LPM Troika, which managed several successful city council elections: Fred Collins in Berkley, Martin Howrylak and David Eisenbacher in Troy, Erin Stahl in St. Clair Shores, and Andy LeCureaux in Hazel Park.
Greg Dirasian would later help establish the Small Government Alliance PAC with former LPM Executive Director Tim O’Brien.
I reached out to several members of the party who worked with Greg and Tim O’Brien replied with the following thoughts:
Greg had a rare combination of philosophical idealism and political pragmatism that inspired not only his tireless efforts on behalf of the state party but an equal, if not even greater, dedication to electing Libertarian candidates to local office. Although nonpartisan positions, he appreciated the practical advancements that can only come from actually holding office — not to mention the morale boost for volunteers that comes from actually winning elections.
I got to know Greg in 2002, when I succeeded him as newsletter editor. Greg taught me how to use desktop publishing software and how to better utilize technology and the internet to further the cause of liberty. While I have not been as successful at working on local campaigns, the lessons Greg taught me helped professionalize how I approach running for office.
Rest in Peace Greg. You’ve earned it.
Thank you to Leonard Schwartz and Tim O’Brien for contributing to this article.
Greg Stempfle – former LPM Chair and Newsletter Editor
