By Greg Stempfle, Political Director
Link to the September Michigan Libertarian
Delegates to the Libertarian Party of Michigan (LPM) State Convention nominated their statewide candidates for public office on Saturday August 25 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Romulus. The most high profile nomination, that of Lieutenant Governor, went to attorney and businesswoman Angelique Chaiser Thomas of Lake Orion. She will join the ticket of gubernatorial candidate Bill Gelineau, who won the contested Libertarian primary for Governor on August 7. John Tatar, the gubernatorial primary runner-up and a retired school teacher, was selected as a candidate for State Board of Education. Other nominees include Gregory Stempfle for Secretary of State, Kerry Morgan for Supreme Court, and Lisa Lane Gioia for Attorney General. They will join 42 other Libertarian candidates on the general election ballot, who advanced after winning their primary elections.
Facebook users can view a video of the nominations here.
Platform Debate
The convention kicked off with delegates voting on proposed changes to the LPM Platform. James Weeks II of Livingston County chaired this year’s platform committee. Changes that were approved include, restoring constitutional rights of felons once released from incarceration, recognizing non-fiat currencies such as precious metals and cryptocurrency, and in mirroring the new national LP plank, a new section was added on the rights of sex workers.
Libertarian Promise To Michigan
During a luncheon presentation, candidates for the Michigan Legislature unveiled the 10 point “Libertarian Promise to Michigan,” a platform that sets out some of the legislative agenda items that Libertarians will work on if elected this November. This outreach program was drafted by a group of Libertarian candidates for State Senate and State House and includes ending marijuana prohibition, repealing the no-fault insurance requirement, curbing abuse by police, adopting ranked choice voting, and concrete measures for cutting taxes.
Facebook users can view a video of the lunch program here.
Resolutions
Following the nomination of candidates, delegates also voted to oppose the proposed constitutional amendment creating a citizens redistricting commission, but did not take a position on the ballot proposal organized by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. There was also a resolution opposing HB 4747 and tie-barred legislation that would make running for office more costly by denying filing fee refunds to some candidates.
Nominated By Convention
The following candidates were nominated by the Libertarian Party of Michigan to appear on the November ballot:
Lieutenant Governor
Angelique Thomas (Lake Orion)
Secretary of State
Gregory Stempfle (Ferndale)
Attorney General
Lisa Lane Gioia (West Bloomfield)
State Board of Education
John Tatar (Redford)
Scotty Boman (Detroit)
Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Bruce Campbell (Allegan)
Tim Orzechowski (Grandville)
University of Michigan Board of Regents
John Jascob (Temperance)
Jim Hudler (Chelsea)
Wayne State University Board of Governors
Jon Elgas (Brighton)
John Hargenrader (Brighton)
Justice of the Supreme Court
Kerry Morgan (Redford)
Delegates also voted to endorse Mark Ashley Price, who is running for a seat on the nonpartisan Highland Park School Board.
