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From the Chair
by Bill Hall, Chair
Your new 19-member Libertarian Executive Committee (LEC) has been busy since taking office in late July, meeting three times since then, with its next meeting scheduled for January 7. We have focused on putting the infrastructure in place for success in 2018 in several areas:
Candidate Recruitment and Training. We are receiving a steady stream of inquiries about running for office through the national LP and LPM websites. Vice Chair & Political Director Greg Stempfle (vcpoliticaldirector@michiganlp.org) has repeatedly contacted these prospective candidates and past candidates by US mail and email with information on how to run for office under our new primary party status. He is traveling the state, visiting affiliate meetings, and giving presentations on running for office. Much of the upcoming Michigan Libertarian Summit on Saturday, March 10, will be devoted to candidate and campaign workshops. The push is on to complete and file the paperwork for as many LP candidates as possible by the April 24 deadline. Every LPM member should complete and file an application to run for precinct delegate by the May 8 deadline, even if you will also run for public office.
The Michigan Libertarian. We have revived and are distributing via MailChimp The Michigan Libertarian newsletter. Scotty Boman (newsletter@michiganlp.org) is serving as Editor in Chief and David Dumas as Deputy Editor. Please submit articles by the 20th of each month, with publication anticipated on the first of each month. If you aren’t receiving the newsletter, then click here to sign up.
Technology Upgrades. Under the leadership of Vice Chair for Affiliates Tim Yow (vcaffiliates@michiganlp.org) and with help from the national LP, we have upgraded our website, www.michiganlp.org. National has added and we are in the testing phase of an integrated customer relationship management (CRM) application that promises to make available a combined state and national member, contributor and inquiry database for use by the LPM and local affiliates. Cat Filus has provided invaluable help importing an upgraded MailChimp database and distributing via MailChimp the revived newsletter and email blasts. We have rolled out the use of the Zoom videoconferencing application for LEC, LPM committee and affiliate meetings. The Zoom app permits attendee access via desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone or telephone.
Michigan Libertarian Summit. As we did in February 2017, we are combining a state convention (to select national convention delegates and possibly pre-endorse Secretary of State, Attorney General and Supreme Court candidates) with a LibertyFest banquet. As noted above, the Summit on Saturday, March 10, will also include several candidate and campaign workshops. Over the next two months, local affiliates will be selecting delegates to this National Delegate Selection Convention. Expect more details from convention committee chair Andrew Hall (convention@michiganlp.org) and committee members Norm Peterson and Greg Stempfle.
Membership. To serve as a delegate to the March 10 National Delegate Selection Convention, you must be a dues-paying member of the LPM (national membership doesn’t count), by no later than February 8, if you haven’t been a member in the past. The membership committee led by chair Lisa Gioia (membership@michiganlp.org) and including Jason Brandenburg, John Kanan, Tim Yow, Norm Peterson and Ben Carr, are working to solicit new members, and respond to new member signups, contributors and inquiries. In the past the LPM had planned to provide, but never produced, membership cards for lifetime members (a one-time contribution of at least $250 to the LPM). Recently, we obtained and started sending to our lifetime members a special limited edition lapel pin in lieu of a membership card, to recognize them for their important contributions. Please let me know if you are a lifetime member, haven’t received your pin, and would like me to send one to you.
If you have any interest in volunteering to assist on any of these initiatives, please contact me at chair@michiganlp.org or the indicated committee chair. Your activism and support is needed, and appreciated!
By Andrew Hall, Convention Committee Chair
“Save The Date!” Come one; come all, to this three-in-one event! There will be a Candidate Workshop and Libby Awards. Also, state convention delegates will select delegates to represent the Libertarian Party of Michigan at the Libertarian Party National Convention in New Orleans, July 1-3, 2018.The Libertarian Party of Michigan’s National Delegate Selection Convention 2018 will be held as part of the Michigan Libertarian Summit in Bath, Michigan (near East Lansing) at the Eagle Eye Golf Course. This event will also feature a Candidate Workshop and LibertyFest banquet, where we will award the Libby Awards. Details to follow.
If you want to be a delegate to the March 10 convention, you must become a member of the Libertarian Party of Michigan at least 30 days before the convention. Under the bylaws change made at the last state convention, national membership no longer qualifies you to vote at Michigan conventions. Go to https://michiganlp.org/#signup to join.
I am also asking for nominations for Libby Awards by February 9th at 5 pm. Below is a description of each award.
LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF MICHIGAN – DEFENDER OF LIBERTY AWARDS (THE LIBBYS)
Award Categories:
- Spokesman 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.
If you have any nominations for the Libby Awards please email me at mailto:halla12@ferris.edu with the subject “Libby Award Nomination 2018”.
Eagle Eye Golf Course
15500 Chandler Rd.
Bath, MI 48808
By Greg Stempfle, Political Director
The Libertarian Party of Michigan qualified to nominate most of its 2018 candidates during the August Primary. Candidates looking to run for Governor, US Senate, US Congress, State House, State Senate, County, Township, and Village offices must file by April 24, 2018.
All candidates are required to file an Affidavit of Identity, which must be notarized.
All candidates for State, County and Local offices must fill out a Statement of Organization.
Statement of Organization (State, file online with state)
Statement of Organization (County and Local, file physical copy with county clerk)
Candidates for Federal office are not required to file a Statement of Organization but are encouraged to register with the FEC to give your candidacy more credibility.
Additionally, if you plan to open a separate campaign bank account, you will be asked to provide a Federal Employer Identification Number.
Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online
Lastly, as a result of being qualified for the primary, our candidate must file either a certain number of signatures or pay a $100 refundable filing fee. Nominating petitions are available at any County Clerk office. Petitions are not available online due to specific font size requirements.
Governor and US Senator – 15,000-30,000 signatures, 100 from at least half of all congressional districts
US Congress – 1,000 – 2,000 signatures
State Senate – 500 – 1,000 signatures or a $100 refundable fee
State House – 200 – 400 signatures or a $100 refundable fee
County offices – signatures or a $100 refundable fee,
Township, and Village offices – signatures only
(signature number is based on population, check with your county or local clerk)
The Michigan Secretary of State has more thorough information about the requirements for filing for office on their website which I encourage everyone to become familiar with.
Candidates looking to run for Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Justice of the Supreme Court, State Board of Education, or any of the public university boards, will be nominated at the LPM Fall State Convention held after the August Primary Election. Candidates looking to run for a City or School Board office will have to wait until 2019 since these are, with few exceptions, nonpartisan races and held during odd-numbered years.
By Scotty Boman, Michigan OAI Chair
Our America Initiative (OAI) has set out to help Michigan activists work for liberty through the legislative and initiative process. They are also poised to help Michigan activists organize locally to influence key Federal policies. Members of the Libertarian Party of Michigan can play a critical role in facilitating OAI efforts directly, while also helping their Party indirectly.
Yours truly has been Michigan Director for the organization for the past three years, but OAI is moving to a less hierarchical approach. I am now Chairman of a Michigan Board. Ideally, board members will have equal access to special resources and participate in national conference calls. I will still serve as point person, but the idea is for multiple people to take on projects. While OAI can’t endorse political parties or candidates, parties and candidates can promote OAI. Libertarian activists who mobilize others by using OAI’s vast data base will be building relationships with like-minded activists, activists who may be more likely to back Libertarian candidates in the future. Some of these relationships will be established with people who would not otherwise team up with Libertarians because they already identify with another party. The non-partisan nature of OAI provides a means to connect with those people.
In recent history, OAI has organized lobby days around state legislation and ballot initiatives and has encouraged alliances with local and statewide advocacy organizations. We have organized lobby days including one on June 14th of this year. Some issues have included opposition to tax increases, Common Core mandates, and invasive utility meters. OAI also supported less restrictive gun and marijuana laws. In prior years we have scheduled our lobby day to correspond to those of other groups like Americans for Prosperity and Brass Roots.OAI has also taken positions on ballot initiatives. Some activists banded together in 2015 in opposing the failed proposal to raise taxes for roads, and others supported successful 2017 initiatives in Detroit to soften restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries. In 2017 some of our activists collected signatures to put a marijuana legalization proposal on the 2018 ballot.
Federal projects work off the model of grassroots activists using OAI’s vast database to mobilize Michigan residents to lobby their Senators and Representatives in Congress to end domestic spying and provide legislative relief to domestic residents who immigrated here as children. Please sign our petition against mass domestic surveillance here. A new board member, Lisa Oxford, has been putting together a plan to mobilize OAI members and groups within Michigan’s immigrant community to push Congress to ensure fairness to new immigrants. She welcomes help on this project. It is our goal to see that Congress replaces DACA and enacts a permanent, legally clear solution to the vexing and uncertain situation faced by approximately 800,000 young immigrants, many of whom have been educated in the U.S., know no other real “home”, and may have even served in our military. Information on OAI’s national immigration reform project is here. This legislation is currently under consideration in Congress, so it isn’t too early to start making calls.
Brass Roots Plaque Update
An ongoing project has been our effort to join the legacy of Brass Roots and have the Brass Roots Plaque placed on the capital grounds in Michigan. This is of special significance to the Libertarian Party since it was born of the United States Senate campaign of Jon Coon who brought us closer to major party status than any other candidate, up until Gary Johnson made it a reality.
This past Spring Representative Martin Howrylak revived the effort for 2017 by introducing HB 4481, but unfortunately the Bill never made it out of the House Government Operations Committee. The results back up the assertion made by Gongwer News Service that Bills are sent there to die.The Bill was very similar to one that unanimously passed through the State House in 1996, and may have done well if brought before the body in 2017. There was some opposition from people who manage the capital grounds to almost any new monuments. This leaves open the possibility of a compromise Bill in 2017 that would provide for another means of public display near the capital, such as at the nearby museum. Please contact your legislators (and members of the Government Operations Committee) and periodically check the Brass Roots Plaque website for updates.
Join OAI and the Michigan Board
If you are interested in joining the OAI Michigan Board, email me at ScottyBoman@hotmail.com and also submit the volunteer web form here. Financial support is vital. One way to help is to become a member. Different membership packages are available please see which one fits you best here. Interested persons are also urged to join us on Facebook.
A message from the Bill Gelineau for Governor Campaign
By the Gelineau Campaign
Editor’s note: This article has been submitted by a candidate seeking the Libertarian Party nomination through the primary system. The Michigan Libertarian provides equal access to any Libertarian Party of Michigan member who is seeking the nomination through this process without endorsing one candidate over another.
In this holiday period, where the ideals of our Party shine most brightly – acceptance of others regardless of background, creed, color, religion, sexual orientation, or any other bias that prevents us from seeing the value in each individual – I’m hopeful that our efforts next year will provide great memories for all of us. But most important, that we break through and ROCK THE SYSTEM.
Nowhere is that pride more evident for me than within our own families. Some of us have seen sisters, brothers, and children stepping into our crazy world and get a taste of this thing called “politics”. And the support of our spouses or partners is immeasurable.
None of us knows how this will all play out next year. But, hopefully the friendships and cooperation that comes from common goals will help us find the next level of success for our message. For those of us that were part of the amazing year that was 2016 – just one thought: GET READY!
Cheers,
Bill
Compiled by Scotty Boman
Editor’s note: Libertarians received various levels of coverage in the state, from in depth interviews to brief mention. Here I have attempted to list any coverage that went beyond brief mention, while including a few cases where coverage was minor. Examples of Libertarians making News in previous years can be found in our Historical Archives.
Officers & Staff
General Contact: Libertarian Party of Michigan: PO Box 27065, Lansing, MI 48909; Phone: 888.FREE.NOW.
Chair: Bill Hall.chair@michiganlp.org
First Vice Chair: Tim Yow. vcaffiliates@michiganlp.org
Second Vice Chair: Greg Stempfle. vcpoliticaldirector@michiganlp.org
Secretary: Emily Salvette. secretary@michiganlp.org
Treasurer: Jason Brandenburg. treasurer@michiganlp.org
District 1 Rep: Donna Gundle-Krieg. dist1rep@michiganlp.org
District 2 Rep: Mary Buzuma. dist2rep@michiganlp.org
District 3 Rep: Jamie Lewis. dist3rep@michiganlp.org
District 4 Rep: Vacant. dist4rep@michiganlp.org
District 5 Rep: Mark Sanborn. dist5rep@michiganlp.org
District 6 Rep: Wendi Parker. dist6rep@michiganlp.org
District 7 Rep: Norman Peterson. dist7rep@michiganlp.org
District 8 Rep: Jeff Wood. dist8rep@michiganlp.org
District 9 Rep: Mike Saliba. dist9rep@michiganlp.org
District 10 Rep: John Kanan. dist10rep@michiganlp.org
District 11 Rep: Paul Connolly. dist11rep@michiganlp.org
District 12 Rep: Larry Johnson. dist12rep@michiganlp.org
District 13 Rep: Vacant. dist13rep@michiganlp.org
District 14 Rep: Ben Carr. dist14rep@michiganlp.org
Judicial Committee Members
Kerry Morgan. judicialcommittee@michiganlp.org
Ken Proctor. judicialcommittee@michiganlp.org
James Hudler. judicialcommittee@michiganlp.org
Volunteers
Webmaster: In Transition. Webmaster@MichiganLP.org
Newsletter Editor: Scotty Boman. newsletter@michiganlp.org
Deputy Editor: Dave Dumas. newsletter@michiganlp.org
Affiliate Contacts
Capital Area: Martin Mashon. (517) 894-7157, martinmashon@yahoo.com
https://www.calparty.org
Genesee County: Chair Alex Cooper, alexcooperliberty@gmail.com. VC Dustin Reamer, 810-522-3136, olddrumbelly@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/LPGCMI
Huron-Raisin: James Hudler, (734) 475-9792, james.hudler@gmail.com
https://lpwc.wordpress.com
Jackson-Hillsdale: Norman Peterson, (269) 330-2980 norman.peterson@comcast.net
https://www.jhlp.org
Livingston County: James Weeks II, (810) 422-8769, j.weeks@riseup.net
https://livingstonlibertarians.org
Macomb County: Mike Saliba, chair@macomblp.org
https://macomblp.org
Mid-Michigan: Tim Coon, timothycoon1982@aol.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1356267337769739
Northern Lower: Dana Carver, danacarver103@yahoo.com
Northwest Michigan: Donna Gundle-Krieg. dokrieg@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/NWMILibertarian
Oakland County: Greg Stempfle, (313) 929-1789, gregstempfle@gmail.com
https://lpocmi.org
Southwest Michigan: Jason Brandenburg. swmi4liberty@be-innovative.net
https://swmlp.com
Wayne County:Temporarily, Scotty Boman, (313) 247-2052, scottyboman@hotmail.com
The LPWC thanks Jacob Kallie for his service and leadership, and will be electing a new Chairperson.
https://michiganlpwayne.wordpress.com
West Michigan: Jake Andrews. (269) 967-4071. jwandrew@mtu.edu
https://lpwm.org
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Upcoming Events
Some events are also posted by their hosts at the Meetup.com site. It is recommended that you contact an officer for an affiliate or check the Website (or Facebook page) associated with the meeting host (if they have one) before arriving at a meeting. Some meetings can get canceled, or locations can change with short notice. Contact information connected to most events can be found by expanding the item on the “Agenda view” of the Events page of our website.
January 2, 2018 – Libertarian Party of Southwest Michigan, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Brewster’s, 5135 Portage Rd. Portage
January 3, 2018 – Libertarian Party of Huron-Raisin (Washtenaw), 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Classic Cup Café, 4389 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor
January 4, 2018 – Libertarian Party of Livingston County monthly social meeting, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Political Director Greg Stempfle attending.
Cleary’s Pub, 117 E Grand River Ave, Howell
January 4, 2018 – Libertarian Party of Wayne County monthly meeting, 6:30 PM social, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM meeting
Tijuana Mexican Kitchen (West of Southfield Rd.) 18950 Ford Rd. Detroit, MI 48228
We thank Jacob Kallie for his service and leadership, and will be electing a new Chairperson at this meeting.
January 7, 2018 – LEC meeting, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Libertarian Party of Michigan Executive Committee, Inc. will meet in a videoconference via Zoom to address state party business. Libertarian Party of Michigan members are welcome to observe via Zoom.
Contact Bill Hall, chair@michiganlp.org, for the computer/telephone link.
January 10, 2018 – Libertarians of West Michigan monthly meeting, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Portland District Library – 334 Kent St. Portland, MI 48875
Liberty will come to Ionia County. Social time starts at 6:30 PM, and the formal program starts at 7:00 PM the Libertarian Party of West Michigan will host
LPM Vice Chair & Political Director Greg Stempfle, speaking on “ Running for Office as a Libertarian”,
as part of its continuing series of educational and social events across West Michigan.
Greg will explain and help you complete the paperwork to run as a candidate in the August 2018 Libertarian Party primary.
January 10, 2018 – Libertarians of Macomb County monthly meeting, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Ike’s Restaurant, 38550 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights
January 11, 2018 – Capital Area Affiliate meeting, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Political Director Greg Stempfle attending.
Tentative location: AW Body Shop, 3303 N East St. Lansing, MI.
Contact Martin Mashon. (517) 894-7157, martinmashon@yahoo.com to confirm location.
January 16, 2018 – Northwest Michigan Libertarians, 7:00 PM
Due to winter weather and long distances for many of us, NW
Michigan Libertarians’ monthly meeting will be held online.
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/613361734?pwd=W7GeKVf9epcijpiCgAOaJQ
Password: NWMICHIGAN
Political Director Greg Stempfle attending.
Check for updates here: https://www.facebook.com/events/470271686703499/
For more information, please contact District 1 Rep: Donna Gundle-Krieg. dokrieg@gmail.com
January 17, 2018 – Libertarian Party of Oakland County monthly meeting, 6:30 PM dinner, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM meeting,
Shield’s Pizza 1476 W Maple Rd. Troy, MI 48084
January 17, 2018 – Jackson-Hillsdale Libertarian Party monthly meeting, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Steve’s Ranch Restaurant, 311 W. Louis Glick Hwy. Jackson, MI 49201
January 28, 2018 – Mid-Michigan Group, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Oscar’s Bar and Grill, 140 E Main St. Midland, MI 48640
February 1, 2018 – Libertarian Party of Livingston County monthly social meeting, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Political Director Greg Stempfle attending.
Cleary’s Pub, 117 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843
Catch up with each other at 7 while we order food and introduce any visitors. Occasionally, we will have a guest speaker.
February 1, 2018 – Libertarian Party of Wayne County monthly meeting, 6:30 PM social, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM meeting
Tijuana Mexican Kitchen (West of Southfield Rd.) 18950 Ford Rd. Detroit, MI 48228
February 6, 2018 – Libertarian Party of Southwest Michigan, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Brewster’s, 5135 Portage Rd. Portage, MI 49002
February 7, 2018 – Libertarian Party of Huron-Raisin (Washtenaw), 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Classic Cup Café, 4389 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
February 7, 2018 – Libertarians of West Michigan monthly meeting, 6:45 PM – 8:30 PM
Spring Lake Library, Program Room A. 123 E Exchange St. Spring Lake, MI 49456.
Social time starts at 645 pm. As part of its continuing series of educational and social events across West Michigan,
the Libertarian Party of West Michigan will host a speaker, to be announced.
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If you are new to the Michigan Libertarian, you can link to 2016 issues here, https://michiganlp.org/category/newsletters . Older issues are preserved in our historical archives here: https://old.michiganlp.org/resources-2/newsletter.