Libertarian Party of Michigan

The Libertarian Party of Michigan is the state affiliate of the Libertarian Party of the United States (LP) for Michigan. Like the national LP, the Libertarian Party of Michigan advocates for libertarian political goals. The party gained primary ballot access status in 2016 due to the vote total of presidential nominee Gary Johnson, but lost it after 2018 gubernatorial nominee Bill Gelineau failed to reach the required threshold in the general election.

Libertarian Party of Michigan
Chair	Andrew Chadderdon[1]
Vice Chairs	Leah Dailey & Trevor Step
Secretary	Daniel Ziemba
Treasurer	Paul Urben
Founded	1972
Headquarters	Lansing, MI
Ideology	Libertarianism
Colors	Gold
Michigan House of Representatives	0 / 110
Michigan Senate	0 / 38
Statewide Executive Offices	0 / 4
U.S. House of Representatives	0 / 14
U.S. Senate	0 / 2
Other elected officials	7 (June 2024)[update][2]
Website
michiganlp.org
Politics of Michigan Elections

Several Libertarians have held public office in Michigan—most at the local level.^[3] The party, a member of the Michigan Third Parties Coalition, advocates for changes in Michigan's election laws that allow for greater third party representation in the state.^{[4][relevant?]}

History

The Libertarian Party of Michigan was founded in 1972. In the mid-1990s, the party had 1,500 dues paying members. The party was down to 800 such members in 2004. The party had a candidate in every congressional race in 2000 but failed to repeat in 2002. For 2004, the party had candidates in all 15 congressional races and 21 state House races^[5] in 2007, the party joined with the existing third parties to form Michigan Third Parties Coalition lobbying group.^[4]

In 2016, Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson won 172,136 votes in Michigan, qualifying the state party for a primary election in 2018. The only contested election on its primary ballot that year was for governor with Grand Rapids businessman Bill Gelineau and retired teacher John Tatar.^[6]

In April 2020, U.S. Representative Justin Amash of Michigan's 3rd District joined the Libertarians, becoming the first and so far only member of Congress or federal official representing the party from any state, after leaving the Republican Party in 2019 and spending many months as an independent.^[7] He declined to seek reelection under his new affiliation and departed from Congress in 2021.

Shortly after the 2024 Libertarian National Convention, the Michigan delegates challenged the state party's leadership, claiming that the party chair did not have the authority to add Michigan to Region 1 of the convention.^[8] In doing so this prevents the Michigan Libertarian Party from authorizing regional agreements and voting on regional representatives.^[8] Libertarian National Committee Secretary Caryn Ann Harlos stated that the Michigan chair has the authority to join the Region, and requested that the delegates appeal the decision to the Libertarian Party’s Judicial Committee if they wish to contest it further.^[8]

Libertarians in public office

Elected libertarians currently in public office

• Andrew LeCureaux—Hazel Park City Councilman^[9]
• Bruce Gosling—Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees Treasurer (elected in a non-partisan election in 2003 and has remained in office as of January 2017)^[10] He was the board's Chairperson as of 2021.^[11]
• Scotty Boman—Detroit Community Advisory Chairperson for District 4^[12][13]
• Donna Gundle-Krieg—Mancelona Township Board of Trustees^[14][15]

Libertarians elected under a different party affiliation

• Justin Amash—Representative from Michigan's 3rd congressional district; elected as a Republican.

• Paul Foust—Richland Township Trustee, Kalamazoo County; elected as a Republican but switched affiliation in January 2021

Former elected libertarians

• Gregory Creswell – Detroit Community Advisory Council District 4.^[13][16][17]
• Mark Byrne – Port Huron Councilman,^[18] who is now active with the Unifour Area Libertarian Party in North Carolina.
• Tom Bagwell – Ypsilanti Township Park Commissioner (elected in 2008 on a partisan ballot)^[19]
• Bill Bradley – South Haven City Councilman^[20]
• Elizabeth Corder – Ypsilanti Township Park Commissioner (elected in 2016 on a partisan ballot)^[21]
• Fred Collins – Councilman for the City of Berkley, Michigan ^{[22][23][24][25]} from 1997 until he gave up his position to run for Mayor in 2005, and lost the election.^[26]
• Rev. James W. Clifton City Councilman from the town of Addison; became the first Michigan Libertarian to win public office in a partisan race.^[27]
• David Eisenbacher – Troy City Councilman^[28] to office.^[29][30][31]
• Lawrence W. Johnson – Ypsilanti Township Park Commissioner (elected in 2008 on a partisan ballot)^[19]
• Erwin Haas – City of Kentwood 2nd Ward Commissioner^[32]
• Erin Stahl – Mayor Pro Tem ^[33][34] of St. Clair Shores,

Libertarians appointed to public office

• Lloyd Sherman (died 2006) – Hazel Park Brownfield Authority, Hazel Park Facilities and Infrastructure Citizens Advisory Board, Hazel Park Fence Review Board, Hazel Park Zoning Board of Appeals, Hazel Park General Building Authority.^[3]
• Will Tyler White – Vice-Chair, Meridian Charter Township Economic Development Corporation^[35]
• Mike Saliba – Clinton Township Historical Commission^[36]

See also

• Libertarianism portal

References

1. "Leadership". Retrieved July 25, 2023.
2. "Elected Officials". Retrieved June 1, 2024.
3. Michalak, John (December 27, 2006). "A Friend to Hazel Park Loses Battle With Lymphoma". Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on February 8, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2007.
4. Winger, Richard (July 3, 2007). "Michigan Minor Parties Form Lobbying Coalition". Ballot Access News. Richard Winger. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
5. "Libertarians Going in with Large Slate, Low Expectations". The Macomb Daily. Associated Press. October 22, 2004. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
6. Gibbons, Lauren (July 18, 2018). "First-ever primary ballot puts Michigan Libertarian Party in uncharted territory". Mlive Michigan. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
7. "Justin Amash Becomes the First Libertarian Member of Congress". Reason. April 29, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
8. Evans, Jordan Willow. "Michigan Libertarians Dispute LNC Region Formation Agreement at Libertarian Party Convention". independentpoliticalreport.com. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
9. Hazel Park City Government. "Elected Officials". Hazel Park City Government. Archived from the original on 2009-08-30. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
10. "Elected Officials". Libertarian Party of Michigan.
    "Glen Oaks Board of Trustees". Glen Oaks Community College.
11. "Leadership & Committees – Glen Oaks Community College".
12. Rahal, Sarah. "Detroit councilman accused of being 'rewarded' for votes". The Detroit News.
13. "Libertarian Candidates".
14. "Mancelona Township Board – Mancelona Township". www.mancelonatownship.com.
15. Kansier, Brooke (26 October 2020). "Two on ballot for Mancelona Township supervisor". Traverse City Record-Eagle.
16. "Community Advisory Councils Seek Recognition". Telegram.
17. "District 4 Has a New Community Advisory Council".
18. Murphy, Shannon (November 7, 2007). "A Vote for Change: Former Police Captain Earns Most Votes in Council Race". Times Herald.^{[permanent dead link]}
19. Hall, Bill (November 27, 2008). "Libertarian Party of Michigan November Election Highlights". Independent Political Report.
20. South Haven City Government. "City Council Members". South Haven City Government. Archived from the original on 2010-07-30. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
21. Winger, Richard (November 21, 2016). "Three Parties Win Seats on Ypsilanti Township Park Commission Board". Ballot Access News.
22. Libertarian Party National Committee, "Our History" Archived January 30, 2006, at the Wayback Machine. "lp.org" (website)
23. Libertarian Party of Virginia. "59 Libertarians elected to local office in nine states". Libertarian Party of Virginia. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
24. Hunter, Melanie (2004). "Libertarian, Green, Independent Party Candidates Hold Debate in NYC". Crosswalk. Archived from the original on 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
25. Thirtieth Council of the City of Berkley. "The Thirty-Fourth Meeting of the Thirtieth Council of the City of Berkley" (PDF). Thirtieth Council of the City of Berkley. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-11-29. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
26. Berkley City Government. "2005 Election Results". Berkley City Government. Archived from the original on 2008-07-05. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
27. "Michigan Elects First Libertarian!". Michigan Libertarian. May–June 1988. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
28. Oparka, Terry (November 7, 2007). "Troy Incumbents Prevail – The Slate Does Not". C & G newspapers. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2007.
29. Michalak, John (March 29, 2005). "Troy Eyes Prayer Policy". Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 6, 2007.
30. Eisenbacher, David. "eisenbacher.org". Archived from the original on 2021-02-26. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
31. Dirasian, Greg (April 2, 2002). "Eisenbacher Wins!!!". LPM Online.
32. City of Kentwood. "2nd Ward Commissioner Erwin Haas". City of Kentwood. Archived from the original on 2017-06-20. Retrieved 2015-07-20.
    Haas, Erwin. "Erwin Haas Libertarian".
33. Stahl, Erin. "Erin Stahl for St. Clair Shores City Council".
34. St. Clair Shores City Government. "St. Clair Shores City Council". St. Clair Shores City Government.
35. Meridian Township Board. "Charter Township of Meridian Township Board Regular Meeting Meridian Township Board". Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
36. "Clinton Township Historical Commission". www.ctwphc.org. Retrieved August 10, 2017.

External links

• Official website
• Michigan 3rd Parties Coalition