Featured image by Chet Essner. From Left to Right, Back Row: Tori Hinrichs, Leah Dailey, Tim Teagan, Angela Thornton, Andrew Duke, John Hudak & Jay Gillotte. Middle Row: Charles Essner, Justin Mirimonti, Donna Gundle-Krieg & Dana Carver. Front row: Scotty Boman, Dave Franklin, Larry Johnson & Mike Saliba.
PORT HURON, MI — The 2025 Libertarian Party of Michigan (LPMI) Regular Convention marked a turning point for the state party, as 88 delegates gathered on Saturday, July 19th, at the Blue Water Convention Center in Port Huron. This impressive turnout demonstrated a renewed commitment to unity and focus following years of internal turbulence.
The highlight of the convention was a smooth and professional leadership transition—a refreshing change after controversy that had rocked the party since 2022 when both the Chair and Second Vice Chair resigned, precipitating a leadership conflict that cast a cloud over the State Party in subsequent years. Outgoing Chair Andrew Chadderdon, once at the center of that storm, presided over the election of new leadership with dignity and order. He chose not to seek re-election as Chair, though he continues to serve as Region 1 Representative on the Libertarian National Committee (LNC).
A Streamlined Agenda for Convention 2025
Reflecting a more focused and efficient strategy, the official business of the convention was confined to a single day—Saturday—with no formal business scheduled for Sunday. This was a change from the initial agenda that called for a Sunday business session. However, the newly elected Libertarian Executive Committee (LEC) convened for its first meeting on Sunday, July 20th.
Festivities began informally Friday evening with “Cocktails and Conversation” at Freighters Eatery and Taproom, a social mixer attended by early arrivals eager to reconnect over drinks and breathtaking views of the Blue Water Bridge. Meanwhile, others met up at the Bootleggers Axe Company.
A Smooth Transition to New Leadership
Saturday’s official proceedings commenced at 9:40 AM. with opening remarks and quickly moved through credentials, convention rules, and agenda approval. By 11:00 AM, the party launched into officer elections, affirming the following results:
- Chair: Justin Mirimonti
- 1st Vice Chair / Affiliate Director: Tim Teagan
- 2nd Vice Chair / Political Director: Scotty Boman
- Treasurer: Andrew Duke
- Secretary: Donna Gundle-Krieg
Delegates also selected district representatives for all but one of the state’s thirteen districts. New District Representatives are:
- District 1 Rep. Dana Carver
- District 2 Rep. Jay Gillotte
- District 3 Rep. Tori Hinrichs
- District 4 Rep. Rafael Wolf
- District 5 Rep. John Jascob
- District 6. Rep Lawrence Johnson
- District 7. Rep. Leah Dailey
- District 8 Rep. Angela Thornton
- District 9 Rep. Charles Essner
- District 10 Rep. Mike Saliba
- District 11 Rep. Dave Franklin
- District 12 Rep. Vacant*
- District 13 Rep. Collin Fitzgerald
*Trevor Step was initially elected to represent District 12 but was later deemed ineligible due to residency requirements.
Delegates also elected a new three-member Judicial Committee consisting of Mark King, Joe Brungardt, and John Hudak.
Short on Platform but Time for Pundits and Pallets
The streamlined agenda resulted in a greatly abbreviated Platform discussion with no time remaining for Bylaws. However, attendees were treated to a full breakfast Saturday morning and reconvened for a gourmet banquet dinner that evening. Banquet speakers included Thomas Paine biographer Dave Benner, media entrepreneur Amy Lepore, and homesteader and 2024 Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Rebecca Whiting.
Though Sunday held no formal convention business, delegates gathered for a hearty breakfast buffet and an engaging keynote from Jeremy Rodgers. Rodgers, a grassroots activist and campaign manager, shared his firsthand account of being politically targeted and prosecuted by the Biden administration for his involvement in the events of January 6th, 2021. His remarks underscored the urgency of defending civil liberties and due process for all Americans, regardless of political affiliation.
New LEC Meets as Outgoing Officers Facilitate Transition
The 2025 LPMI Convention will be remembered not only for its high turnout and streamlined agenda, but also for restoring faith in the party’s democratic process and commitment to principled leadership. With a full leadership team and renewed energy, the Libertarian Party of Michigan appears ready to meet the challenges of the upcoming election cycle, uniting around the vision of a world set free in their lifetimes.
