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LP News Oct. 2016

LP News Oct. 2016

shrinking BIG Government • advancing WWW.LP.ORG

Gov. vs. vs. on the issues Page 7

October 2016 The Official Newspaper of the Libertarian Party Volume 46, Issue 4 In This Issue: CPD cuts Johnson, Weld Success! Libertarian Chair’s CornerLP...... 2 from firstNews debates nominees on ballot in 50 Johnson fundraising and ads...... 3 n spite of polls that showed 54–76 percent of American vot- Two newspapers endorse Miller....3 ers want Libertarian Gov. Gary Johnson included in debates, states; first since 1996 Calls for debate inclusion ...... 5 the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) announced by Carla Howell Ion Sept. 16 that it will not include him on stage for the Sept. 26 ov. Gary Johnson and Gov. William Weld will be on the Johnson & Weld campaigning....5 presidential showdown, nor will it include Gov. William Weld in ballot for president and vice president in all 50 states, LP candidates...... 6–10, 13 the Oct. 4 vice presidential debate. plus the District of Columbia, this November. This is the Fulfillment frenzy...... 6 The CPD left the door open for Johnson’s inclusion in the last firstG time in 20 years that the Libertarian nominees have made the two presidential debates, on Oct. 9 and 19, if his poll numbers ballot in all 50 states. Johnson vs. Clinton vs. Trump.....7 continue to rise. The Libertarian National Committee (LNC) waged a number of Ballot initiatives to watch...... 8 “ and I will continue to fight to provide a voice and an legal battles, and spent more than $400,000 to achieve . alternative for [those] who aren’t satisfied with Donald Trump and Many state parties, along with the Johnson–Weld campaign, also con- Libertarian generosity...... 9 Hillary Clinton as their options,” Johnson said. “There are more polls tributed to ballot access — in both dollars and sweat. Scenes from 2016 petitioning....11 and more debates, and we plan to be on the debate stage in October.” “Fifty-state ballot access is a remarkable achievement,” said Nicho- LNC meeting highlights...... 12 A Quinnipiac poll released Sept. 14 put Johnson’s support las Sarwark, Libertarian Party chair. “It’s a reflection of the party’s grow- among voters at 13 percent, or about 17 million Americans, more ing popularity, the dedication of its members, and the ballot-access ex- Vote impact on ballot access...... 13 than the 13.7 million who voted for the Republican nominee in pertise we have developed as the nation’s third-largest political party.” Big gains for LP Hawaii...... 13 the primaries to hand him the nomination, and more than the The last Libertarian nominees to achieve this were 16.8 million who voted for the Democratic nominee to secure the and his vice-presidential running mate, , in 1996. Affiliate updates...... 14–15 Democratic nomination. Unlike 2012, when the party faced ballot-access challenges from LP membership growth...... 16 , chair of the Libertarian National Commit- Republicans in five states, and was outright barred from the ballot in tee, said that the LP will be calling on debate sponsors to with- by Republican Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, there were 10 things you can do...... 16 draw their support “for what has become a campaign commercial no serious challenges to Libertarian presidential ballot access this year. Media Buzz...... 16 for bullies.” continued on page 4... continued on page 10... Growing list of endorsements for LP presidential ticket by Sandra Kallander me off the sidelines” was Trump’s dispar- who was killed in action in Iraq. “As a businessman, my irginia Rep. made na- aging remarks about Khizr and Ghazala “I will help Governor Johnson to the tional news in August when he be- Khan, the parents of a U.S. Army veteran extent that he wants me to help him,” said number one concern came the first sitting U.S. congress- Rigell of his endorsement. is our country's fiscal manV to endorse Libertarian presidential Rigell appeared on CNN on Aug. 17. trajectory. It threatens candidate Gary Johnson. “I’m really surprised that I’m here to support a Libertarian, but I’m happy to do every one of us, wherever Rigell told , “I’ve al- we live, and the only ways said I will not vote for Donald Trump so because he’s the best of the three,” he said. and I will not vote for Hillary Clinton.” “[Johnson is] standing for . . . strong fis- candidate among the top On Aug. 10, reported cal discipline, a real judicious restraint in three that I've seen who that Rigell’s endorsement meant he had to re- the use of military force,” he continued. “As has really confronted it in a businessman, my number one concern is sign from his local party, in a district he de- a wise and upfront way is scribed as having the most members and for- our country’s fiscal trajectory. It threatens mer members of the military in the country. every one of us, wherever we live, and the Governor Johnson.” Rigell told the Post that “what really got Congressman Scott Rigell (R-Va.) continued on page 4... — U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell Page 2 The Libertarian Party — www.LP.org October 2016

Chair’s Corner Donor Appreciation

596 Libertarian candidates The following became Chairman’s Circle contributors: on November ballots ChrisThe following Rufer individuals became Beacon of Liberty contributors: by Nicholas Sarwark, Chair Melodie Rufer

lection Day is finally upon us. Thanks to the first copy of LP News. Our membership has skyrock- Christy Walton efforts of candidates and activists around the eted this election year, nearly doubling from its level John Stagliano country, the Libertarian Party is on track to have in January. Welcome to a political party that stands up Eour most successful election for all rights of all people, all of the time. Whether you The following individuals became Beacon of Liberty contributors: year ever. Our presidential came from the right, the left, or somewhere in between, candidate, Gary Johnson, is we want to welcome you to your new political home. William Burchenal Joseph Segel polling above any previous Our party is the only one that is growing, while the two Donald King Drury L. Vinton Libertarian Party presidential old parties decline. L. Linwood H. A. Zisson nominee, and our message The Libertarian Party is different from other Ameri- Ronald Miller has reached more Americans can political parties. We’re not seeking power to hand James Palidar than ever before. For the first out favors to corporate cronies or lobbyists. We don’t Timothy Beeman time in 20 years, every single want to be elected to tell other people how they should American will have the Lib- live their lives. We’re running for office to empower The following individuals became Pioneer of Freedom contributors: ertarian Party nominee for Nicholas Sarwark our communities and give back to our neighbors the James Burkholder Joel Lawson III president on their ballot. freedom to pursue happiness however they wish that is Jefferson Gregory With all the excitement around the presidential their birthright as Americans. race, it can be easy to lose track of all of the other Liber- Elections are unpredictable, but there are two things The following individuals became Lifetime Founder contributors: Stewart Anderson Suzanne Gilmore Thomas O'Sullivan tarian candidates who have stepped up to run for office. I can predict with certainty as I write this column more Luis Belmonte William Goble Barry Simmons This year, there are 596 Libertarians running for offices than two months before election day: (1) our candi- Daniel Benedix Mark Guidry Samuel S. Stewart Jr. from Senate on down to the town level. dates will get more votes and reach more voters than Timothy Bove Ken Ham George Suhorsky You can see a complete list of Libertarian candidates at: ever before in the 45-year history of the Libertarian James E. Burian Robert Hattersley Robert P. Sutton Mark D. Chapman Jane Henson Harve Thomas LP.org/2016-libertarian-party-candidates Party, and (2) the Libertarian Party will emerge from David Chevalier James L. Jones Robbi Turek Every one of those candidates is a fellow Libertar- this election stronger than ever, in a solid position as Martin H. Coalson Alexander Keeler David Wallace ian Party member making sure your voice is heard on one of only three truly national political parties in the Richard W. Cochran Kimble Russell Wick election day this year. Look up the candidates running United States. Bob Davenport Jennifer McDermott Don Duff Willey Robert Eddy Nikolaos D. Monoyios Philip Yates in your area and reach out to them to thank them for Thank you for all you are doing to contribute to that Keith Fox William G. Murphey George Zeniou running. Volunteer for their campaign or send them success. Together, we will achieve liberty in our life- Louis F. Fries III Robert Nickelsen a contribution, or better yet, do both. Without can- times. The Libertarian Party grants lifetime membership to didates, there is no Libertarian Party. [See the list of last-minute things you can do, on the back cover of this Yours in liberty, individuals who contribute at least $1,500 during any issue. —Editor] 12-month period. Call 202-333-0008 to find out how I want to personally welcome all of the new Lib- much more you would need to donate to become a ertarian Party members who are reading this in their Lifetime Member today.

Libertarian Party News www.LP.org (ISSN 8755-139X) is the official LP News newspaper of the Send news, articles, Libertarian Party® of the United essays, or photographs: States. Opinions and articles The Libertarian Party (LP) and its state affiliates work to advance the right E-mail: [email protected] of individuals to be free, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the published in this newspaper do not Address changes: equal rights of others. The party runs candidates for public office, elects necessarily represent official party Libertarians, supports and opposes ballot measures, lobbies, and takes Phone: (202) 333-0008 positions unless so indicated. positions on public policy aimed at removing, reducing, and nullifying government E-mail: [email protected] laws, regulations, prohibitions, taxes, spending, debt, and foreign interventions. Postal mail: National Chair: Nicholas Sarwark 1444 Duke St. E-mail: [email protected] Alexandria, VA 22314 Editor: Carla Howell Assistant Editor: Elizabeth C. Brierly Phone: (202) 333-0008

CONTRIBUTORS: Bob Johnston, Paul Jacob, Sandra Kallander, Alicia Mattson, Nicholas Sarwark, Laura Ann Valle, , state affiliates Vol. 46, Issue 4 The Libertarian Party — www.LP.org Page 3 Two largest newspapers endorse Mark Miller Donor Appreciation n Sept. 6, Mark Miller, Libertarian candidate for Railroad Commission of Texas, received the endorsement of the Houston Chronicle, the David F. Nolan Memorial Oninth-largest newspaper in the United States. The com- mission, no longer involved with railroads, oversees the Office Fund donors state’s oil and gas industry. Founder of Liberty: James Palidar And on Sept. 14, the Dallas Morning News, the 11th- largest U.S. newspaper, also endorsed Miller. Hero of Liberty: Ronald Miller Miller’s endorsements may prove to be highly conse- Plaques are now on display at the Libertarian National quential. If either he or Gary Johnson for president gets Committee office space in Alexandria, Va., that recognize our at least 5 percent of the vote in the state, the Texas LP top donors. To have your name appear on a plaque, will retain ballot access. Without it, the party will need to or if you’d just like to help pay off the mortgage, mail in gather 80,000 voter signatures in 2018 to regain it. your donation or visit LP.org. The Chronicle editorial board wrote: Contribute today: LP.org/office-fund “Ask this man anything at all about the Railroad Commission of Texas and he’ll give you a straight, Johnson-Weld donations, smart answer informed not only by decades of work- ing in the industry and teaching petrochemical en- PACs fund record advertising gineering at the University of Texas, but also by a mastery of the issues facing the energy business and he campaign of Gary Johnson for president and William the state body that regulates it. Weld for vice president, as well as political action commit- “By comparison, none of the other candidates for tees aiming to boost the ticket, are raising money and run- this office have actually worked in the industry they Tning ads at levels never before seen for a Libertarian. propose to help oversee. In just the first two weeks of August, the Johnson–Weld cam- Libertarian Mark Miller for Railroad Commission of Texas paign raised $2.9 million in online donations, more than the $2.3 “If you’re one of those voters who’s unhappy with other good reason to split your ticket is Mark Miller, million Johnson raised during his entire 2012 White House bid. your choice of presidential candidates in 2016, an- the Libertarian who’s unquestionably this year’s most This take included $1.5 million in a one-day fundraising qualified candidate for Railroad Commission of Tex- drive on Aug. 15 to rally for Johnson’s chances for participation “If you’re one of those voters as commissioner.” in televised presidential debates. who’s unhappy with your choice Most of the August money came from small donors. of presidential candidates in The Dallas Morning News editorial said, “As the only “The fact that we received more than 90,000 2016, another good reason candidate who offers oil and gas expertise, a passion for small contributions is overwhelming,” Johnson said in a state- , and a plan for industry accountabil- ment. “It is increasingly clear that a great many Americans, to split your ticket is Mark ity, Miller is the best choice in this race.” from across the political spectrum, are ready to join our effort.” Miller, the Libertarian who’s Miller is one of a handful of Libertarian candidates “That’s -type money. It’s $7 here, $15 there, $32 unquestionably this year’s in the party’s history to receive the endorsement of a there,” said Weld on CNN. “And I notice also … instead of $5,000, major newspaper. Others include Matthew Cantrell for it’s $250,000 for the high-end donors and up. It is gelling for us.” most qualified candidate for Ohio treasurer, endorsed by the Cleveland Plain Dealer Hollywood, long an exclusive preserve for Democratic Railroad Commission of Texas in 2010, and Carla Howell for auditor, en- fundraising, is now opening the doors to the Libertarians. commissioner.” dorsed by the Boston Herald in 1998. • On Labor Day weekend, comedian hosted — Houston Chronicle Campaign website: Miller4TX.com a fundraiser for the Johnson–Weld ticket in Los Angeles, an event that drew about 145 people and pulled in over $100,000 for the Libertarians. Super PACs According to the , those in attendance The Libertarian ticket is seeing record fundraising included Krist Novoselić, the former bassist of Nirvana, who from several political action committees, or super PACs, traveled to Los Angeles just for the event; “The Price Is Right” which are allowed unlimited individual donations and model Gwendolyn Osborne-Smith; and her husband, former which are typically funded by large donors. NBA player and commentator Kenny Smith. Purple PAC, managed by cofounder “The very best scenario is that people quit treating this Edward Crane, ran an ad presenting Johnson as a candi- country as a two-party country,” Carey told the Times, date who supports “tolerance, free enterprise, and a sane which dedicated a significant spread to the event. “And they foreign policy” and who wants “government that stays always include the Libertarian point of view in every single out of your pocketbook, and out of your bedroom.” discussion.” “We intend to spend at least $10 million in support Strong fundraising enabled the campaign to launch its first of the Johnson campaign,” said Crane. “This is a unique television advertising blitz. The ads are part of a $3.8 million push opportunity in modern American political history, a from the Johnson campaign that included radio ads and that ran campaign featuring two major-party candidates widely Balanced 's “Dead Abe Lincoln” in 15 states and on nationally syndicated talk radio shows. continued on page 12... TV ad promoting Johnson-Weld 2016 Page 4 The Libertarian Party — www.LP.org October 2016

Johnson endorsements Johnson picked up his first CPD decision ...continued from page 1 newspaper endorsement on ...continued from page 1 only candidate among the top three that I’ve seen who has really Sept. 3 from the Richmond “In their attempt to bolster the chances of confronted it in a wise and upfront way is Governor Johnson.” Times-Dispatch, Virginia’s the two most hated presidential candidates Rigell, who is not running for re-election to Congress, defended newspaper of record, head- in American history, the Commission’s de- accusations that his endorsement would help Hillary Clinton win. quartered in the hometown cision makes a mockery of their stated mis- He later added his name to a list of people requesting the RNC not of Hillary Clinton’s running sion to ‘provide the best possible informa- to fund Trump. mate, . The endorse- tion to viewers and listeners,’” he said. “Not The list of Gary Johnson endorsements continues to grow. ment was picked up by major having Gov. Johnson on the stage for the Some of the endorsers also changed their party affiliation, and news outlets, including ABC first debate turns it from the Super Bowl of some are using the threat of doing so to try to reshape their parties. News, CNN, Fox, , into the Pro Bowl of politics: bor- On July 28, state Sen. Mark Madsen announced his switch Newsmax, NBC, the Los Ange- Utah State Senator Mark Madsen ing and unwatchable.” to the Libertarian Party, and endorsed Johnson and his vice- les Times, and Bloomberg. 1992 presidential candidate presidential running mate, William Weld, saying, “Both parties The Richmond paper, which was polling at just 8 percent in a Times use the government to pick winners and losers — in business, in has a history of endorsing GOP presidential candidates, said of the Mirror poll when the CPD permitted him health care, in the environment, in education, in every aspect of Libertarian option, “Neither Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton on the presidential debate stage. life. Both parties expand existing programs, create new programs, meets the fundamental moral and professional standards we have Since then, they have required presi- and expand programs set to sunset, even if the purpose is no longer every right to expect of an American president. Fortunately, there is dential candidates to score at 15 percent needed. Differences among us are accentuated, and our core rights, a reasonable — and formidable — alternative . . . . in polls. Johnson came in higher than Pe- enshrined in our constitution, rather than being upheld as inviolate, “Our final decision to endorse the Johnson–Weld ticket, and rot — between 9 and 10 percent — in polls are too often seen as impediments to the expansion of the state.” to do so with great confidence and enthusiasm, came only after selected by the Commission when it made A few days after he joined the LP, Madsen introduced Johnson Johnson met with the editorial board . . . . We found him to be . . . in all the decision to exclude him. and Weld at a rally in . Madsen had served Utah for respects optimistically, realistically presidential.” The Commission, controlled by the 12 years as a Republican. In April, he was a keynote speaker at the “We have over the years interviewed hundreds of Republican and Democratic parties, was Utah LP convention. politicians — local, state, and national — and there’s no doubt created “for the clear purpose of taking that Johnson belongs in the major leagues, and on the debate control of the only nationally televised “We have over the years interviewed hundreds stage this fall. He is a skilled and experienced leader . . . .” presidential debates voters will see,” ac- On Sept. 11, the Winston-Salem Journal also endorsed the cording to Johnson.” of politicians — local, state, and national — and Johnson–Weld ticket. Libertarians remain determined to put there’s no doubt that Johnson belongs in “It would be wonderful for our democracy to have Johnson and up a fight. the major leagues, and on the debate stage Weld, two thoughtful statesmen, on the debate schedule, starting “We will continue to go all-out and give Sept. 26, to balance the mudslinging sure to emanate from the two this fall.” voters a chance to rise up against the es- major-party candidates. The inclusion of the Libertarians could tablishment parties,” said Sarwark. “This –The Richmond Times-Dispatch set the stage for one of the most exciting races in our history, election will be unlike any we have seen in instead of one of our most depressing.” • our lifetimes.” • Partial list of endorsers of the Libertarian Johnson–Weld ticket The Richmond Times-Dispatch , Actress Scott Rigell, U.S. Rep. (Va.) Winston-Salem Journal Dawson Hodgson, State Senator (R.I.) , Comedian Max Abramson, State Rep. (N.H.) , Entertainer Dustin Patrick Runnels, WWE (“Goldust”) Stan Adelstein, Fmr. State Senator (S.D.) Danny Jones, Mayor, Charleston (W. Va.) Chris Rufer, CEO, The Morning Star Company Benjamin Allbright, CBS Sports, Mile High Sports Radio Rob Kampia, Cofounder, Marijuana Policy Project , State Rep. (Vt.) Neal Boortz, Author & Radio Host Ben Kissel, Host, “The Ben Kissel Show” Peter Schiff, CEO, Euro Pacific Capital Tom Burditt, State Rep. (Vt.) Jim Kolbe, Fmr. Rep. (Ariz.) Nicholas Schwaderer, State Rep. (Mont.) Jonathan Bush, CEO, Athena Health Patti Komline, State Rep. (Vt.) Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff, Fmr. State Treasurer (N.J.) Marvin P. Bush, Investment Manager Jeff Kraus, Fmr. Mayor, Bozeman (Mont.) , Host, “Stossel,” Network Patrick Byrne, CEO, Overstock.com Charles Kuck, Immigration Attorney Michael Strong, Owner, FLOW Tom Campbell, Fmr. U.S. Rep. (Calif.) Geoffrey Lawrence, Assistant State Controller (Nev.) -Symoné, Co-host, “The View” Drew Carey, Host, “The Price is Right” , WWE Champion Lisa Torraco, State Senator (N.M.) Rudy Carpenter, Quarterback, , Australian Senator (N.S.W.) Jeffrey A. Tucker, Liberty.me College Republicans at Cornell University , Defensive End, New Patriots Jennifer Nassour, Chairwoman, GOP (Mass.) , Cofounder, Cato Institute John MacGovern, Fmr. State Rep. (Mass.) , Fmr. Governor (Mont.) Kathleen Curry, Fmr. State Rep. & Speaker Pro Tem (Colo.) Mark B. Madsen, State Senator (Utah) Brendon Walsh, Comedian Gary Dake, President, Stewart's Shops , Harvard Department of Sean Waltman, Professional Wrestler Basil Dannebohm, Fmr. State Rep. (Kans.) Mike Munger, Economist Dan Winslow, Fmr. State Rep. (Mass.) Laura Ebke, State Senator (Nebr.) Don Myers, Moses Lake City Council (Wash.) Daniel Zolnikov, State Rep. (Mont.) Hal Gill, National Hockey Leauge Jennifer Nassour, Chairwoman, GOP (Mass.) James P. Gray, Fmr. Judge & 2012 V.P. candidate Krist Novoselić, Bassist for Nirvana An updated list of endorsers is posted at Alan Gura, Constitutional Scholar & Attorney Juan-Carlos “J.C.” Planas, Fmr. State Rep. (Fla.) www.JohnsonWeld.com/endorsements. , Member, European Parliament (U.K.) Aron Price, PGA Vol. 46, Issue 4 The Libertarian Party — www.LP.org Page 5 Media, politicians join call to include Libertarian in debates, IAVA forum by Sandra Kallander TheRichmond Times-Dispatch issued this appeal on Sep- number of large U.S. newspapers, which are usu- tember 3: “As the nominee of the Libertarian Party, Johnson ally happy to oblige directives of the Commission is expected to be on the ballot in all 50 states and the Dis- on Presidential Debates (CPD), are among the trict of Columbia. He is, in every respect, a legitimate and Amany who have urged the bipartisan group to include Lib- reasonable contender for the presidency . . . . If the Commis- ertarian Gary Johnson in presidential debates regardless sion on Presidential Debates wants to perform a real service of whether his poll numbers reach their required 15-per- to its country, it will invite Gary Johnson onto the big stage.” cent polling threshold. In response to a Monmouth University poll that Former Republican governors and Ar- showed 35 percent of respondents had a favorable view nold Schwarzenegger also called for his inclusion. of “neither” Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton, the Wall “Add the ‘Governator’ to the growing chorus of po- Street Journal wryly noted that “neither” would meet the liticos calling for Libertarian presidential contender Gary 15 percent threshold established by the CPD to secure a Johnson to be included in the presidential debates,” wrote spot in the presidential debates. the Los Angeles Times. On Sept. 6, the Boston Herald wrote in an editorial, “Alas,

The said in an editorial, “Let’s respect ‘neither’ won’t get a podium. But Gary Johnson should.” http://wapo.st/2cvQ4u9 POST WASHINGTON SOURCE: the wishes of a dissatisfied electorate and open up the first Sen. Bernie Sanders, runner-up for the Democratic general election debate to Johnson.” The paper cited a presidential nomination, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” TheColumbus Dispatch said, “It’s remarkable that Johnson Quinnipiac poll that asked whether “he should be included later covered by the Washington Post, that the threshold has been able to hit double digits in any poll” in an environ- in the presidential debates: 62 percent, nearly two-thirds of should probably be lower for third-party candidates, such ment of ballot access constraints, campaign finance laws, and respondents, said yes, Johnson should participate.” as Libertarian Gary Johnson, to take part in the fall debates. other sizable barriers that the Democrats and Republicans put Politico quoted Libertarian vice-presidential candidate in the way of alternative parties. The Chicago Tribune cited a William Weld as saying in an interview on September 2 “Another recent Quinnipiac poll found that 62 per- Quinnipiac poll that showed that the CPD is aware “they have a duty to be nonpartisan cent of likely voters want Johnson to be included in the 62 percent of respondents wanted rather than bipartisan.” debates,” it noted, adding, “The commission should give On Aug. 1, the Orange County Register said that John- Johnson a chance.” Gov. Gary Johnson to participate son is “the only person on planet Earth — literally — who Judson Phillips, founder of Tea Party Nation and on in debates. could break the debates out of what’s otherwise sure to staff at , said in an editorial on shape up as a lurid, protracted death hug.” continued on page 12... Johnson and Weld campaign hard through summer months by Sandra Kallander Johnson drew large crowds at rallies where some at- tendees used precious vacation time to show their sup- ibertarian Party presidential and vice-presidential port. Even late summer rain on a Thursday in August candidates Gary Johnson and William Weld hit the didn’t damp the enthusiasm of the crowd at the statehouse campaign trail hard all summer. Between a constant steps in Concord, . Lstream of media interviews, they appeared at rallies, town On August 5, Johnson and Weld began their tour in halls, fundraisers, and forums across the country, building Reno with a rally at the University of , followed by the campaign’s momentum at every stop. rallies in Salt Lake City (8/6), Las Vegas (8/18), and Al- In July, they made appearances at both the Republican buquerque (8/20). A poll conducted Aug. 19–21 showed and Democratic conventions to schmooze the delegates, Johnson at 16 percent in New , up 2 percent from many of whom expressed appreciation and support. May. Though far short of the saturation coverage the media The team continued their tour in Burlington, - Ver have been granting Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, mont (8/24); Concord, New Hampshire (8/25); Lewiston, Gary Johnson speaking at a rally in Boston on August 27 both Johnson and Weld have enjoyed media coverage un- Maine (8/26); Boston, Massachusetts (8/27); Milwaukee, precedented for Libertarians. Johnson did 75 media inter- Johnson explained that while the federal government Wisconsin (9/1); Des Moines, (9/3); views in just one day at the Democratic convention. doles out eleven cents on the dollar to fund schools, it (9/10); and Seattle (9/17). The team appeared in three nationally televised town imposes fifteen cents in mandates and regulations—a bad Libertarians held viewing parties nationwide for the hall events in July and August: one on Fox Business Net- deal for local communities. He said he would get rid of the New York rally. work and two on CNN. According to , the CNN Department of Education. On August 17, the Johnson–Weld team also appeared in events drew strong ratings, “particularly in the 25–54 age Fox Business’s two-hour “Libertarian Town Hall,” host- a forum in Miami, live-streamed and hosted by FUSION, demographic advertisers covet most,” the paper said. ed by John Stossel, aired on August 26 and included ques- a multi-platform media network of “content that’s smart, Moderated by Anderson Cooper, the second of tions from the audience, both in studio and online. irreverent, entertaining, and above all — authentic” (rather the CNN Libertarian town halls aired on August 3 on A voter clearly in favor of ending marijuana prohibi- like the Libertarian candidates). They boast a staff who several of their channels, including internationally and in tion really just wanted to know, “How ya gonna do it?” aims to help “young people cut through the rhetoric [and] Spanish. Cooper’s introduction for the show credited the In response, Johnson said, the “first day in office, we de- divisiveness . . . .” repeat performance to “the growing interest in a third- schedule marijuana as a Class 1 narcotic, which opens up While in Miami, they also held a rally, plans for which party alternative.” a whole vast research and development . . . and also frees were thrown together in just five days. According to a When asked how best to ensure a quality education, up banking in those states where it is legal.” continued on page 12... Page 6 The Libertarian Party — www.LP.org October 2016 Fulfillment frenzy at LP headquarters P headquarters has been bustling since July, when and Danielle Alexandre each made two trips to the north- Libertarian Party Executive Director Wes Benedict ern Virginia headquarters to help pack and ship. rolled out the new LP Store. Others who were a big help included part-time work- LStaff, interns, temps, and volunteers packed and ers Matt Thexton and Brittany Hunting; packing interns shipped more than 500,000 items around the country be- Daniel Tripp, Jonathan Walker, and Matthew Quick; and tween July 14 and early September: yard signs, bumper many D.C.-area volunteers, including Andy Bakker, Mar- stickers, door hangers, rack cards, buttons, a wide variety ty Howard, Phil Rizk, Mark Felipe, and Chuck Moulton. of brochures, hats, and several styles of shirts, to promote “Two hundred door hangers are just 5 cents each,” Bene- Gary Johnson for president and the Libertarian Party. dict said. “We priced them below cost to get them in the Florida Libertarians George MacArthur, Alex Snitker, hands of as many activists as possible. And it’s working.” •

Help build Johnson’s name recognition.

Volunteers Alex Snitker and Danielle Alexandre, and LP Executive Director Wes Benedict Boxes and outbound packages fill LP HQ daily in Alexandria. Visit LP Store.org Libertarian Simmons takes on Democratic stronghold Libertarian Thomas Simmons or nearly three decades, Democratic joint appearance at a rally in New York “About 30 percent of the voters turned made this powerful appeal to U.S. representative Richard Neal has with Steve Scheetz was covered by numer- in blank ballots when they voted in the liberals in a Huffington Post enjoyed czar-like status in largely ous LGBT publications. last congressional elections,” the Libertar- article featuring his campaign: Frural western Massachusetts, where he has The Republicans are not fielding a can- ian recalls. “Of five local newspapers, two So often we run to the government as our scored one re-election victory after anoth- didate to oppose Neal. An independent have openly criticized Neal in editorials, savior. Pull back a little bit. er, mostly unopposed. candidate is in the race, but according to and one said there were problems with his With DOMA (Defense of Marriage But this year, he faces Libertarian Simmons, his underfunded and anemic candidacy.” Act), who was the adversary to us Thomas Simmons, an economics and busi- campaign is barely visible. Simmons is Voters clearly demonstrated their im- exercising our right to marry? It was ness professor at Greenfield Community Neal’s only serious opponent. patience with the status quo during the Congress. It was the government. College who’s making a splash. “The Republican Party practically does district’s Democratic primary earlier this Right now, there’s the whole transgender The Huffington Post published an ex- not exist here,” Simmons tells LP News. year, when self-proclaimed socialist Ber- bathroom issue. McSorley’s Old Ale House tensive interview of Simmons that ap- “We have about 85 towns in our 1st con- nie Sanders swept the area at a ratio of 3:1. in New York City has figured out how peared in more than three dozen major gressional district, and the GOP has com- Neal, however, as a Democratic National to have people in a bathroom without a news feeds. His campaign was the subject mittees in only four or five of them.” Convention superdelegate, spent countless problem for decades. Target has figured it of front-page articles in the Greenfield Local voters, and even the media, are hours campaigning for Hillary Clinton out. Individual businesses have figured it out. Who is the problem? It’s the State of Recorder and Hampshire Gazette, and his fed up with Neal’s one-party reign. and propping up her candidacy. North Carolina, saying, “You can’t do this! To counter the traditional Democratic You have to do this instead.” tax-and-spend platform, Simmons is of- Look back to when blacks and whites fering the innovative Libertarian brand of couldn’t marry. Who was the problem? fiscal discipline and social tolerance. The government. If elected, he promises not to vote for any We run to the government for the answer, budget that is not balanced, in order to put when many times they are the problem. the country back on a path to fiscal sanity. They are always, sadly, behind the times . . . . “Right now, we spend five times more Think back to those incidents that on servicing the national debt than on sparked the Stonewall riots. It was a building bridges and roads, and that is not reaction against the agents of the State acceptable,” argues the Libertarian. who were sent there to harass gay people. He wants to get rid of the Departments The State is almost always the problem because they have power and authority. of Education and Commerce, and elimi- They can jail, fine, confront, or arrest nate the Export-Import Bank, which he you. They have been the problem, not the savior. Simmons (center) filing election papers, with LP Mass. volunteers Heather and Mike McNeight Continued on page 10... Vol. 46, Issue 4 The Libertarian Party — www.LP.org Page 7 Jon Bombach for Compare and contrast the presidential candidates comptroller aims to fix Baltimore’s financial mess Democrat Libertarian t’s an uphill battle. But Libertarian Jon Bombach is de- The Republican termined to take on the crony capitalism he believes is Donald Trump Gov. Gary Johnson Gov. plaguing Baltimore. issues Sec. Hillary Clinton I“In every neighborhood I lived in — from Seton Hill to Lit- Seen as a Distrusted by Distrusted by tle Italy — people shared the same stories,” he recalls. “Business Honesty straight shooter most Americans most Americans owners facing stiff regulations. Basic services not being met.” But he saw politically connected corporations thriving, Balance Budget NOW Continue Continue deficit spending Federal Spending Reduce 20% Raise spending Raise spending Stop growth and Increase by trillions Increase by trillions Government Debt start to pay down Marijuana Legalize as wine & beer Raid, prosecute, imprison Raid, prosecute, imprison & NDAA Repeal Continue mass surveillance Continue mass surveillance

Crony-capitalist Higher tariffs Trade policy Enable trade deals More trade barriers

Grant visas for work or Deport 11,000,000 legitimate family ties Waffles Immigration immigrants No deportation Same-Sex Long-time supporter Recent supporter Waffles Marriage Libertarian candidate Jon Bombach meeting constituents Repeal Obamacare getting preferential tax deals and other corporate welfare. Medical Enable free-market, Waffles on repeal If he is elected city comptroller, the former Baltimore Insurance competitive health care Enshrine Obamacare Wants taxpayers to fund mechanic, who pulled himself by the bootstraps to get ad- Mandates As governor, cut medical insurance for all vanced university degrees in financial management, is de- spending termined to fight it, tooth and nail. “Four years ago the citizens of Baltimore voted to hold City Previously supported longer Hall accountable,” Bombach points out. “To date, City Hall Self-defense Pro-gun rights Anti-gun waiting period, and ban on has delayed, made excuses, and failed to deliver on the most so-called assault weapons basic of services and basic accounting of the city’s finances.” Acknowledges that Continue to provoke ISIS Continue to provoke ISIS The answer, in his view, is regular, comprehensive audits ISIS is a result of with bombs, drone strikes, with bombs, drone strikes, that will ensure that voters’ hard-earned dollars are spent in ISIS U.S. military involvement and sanctions and sanctions line with their mandates. in the Middle East [Bombach’s] Libertarian solution is More boots on ground. Bring troops and all U.S. Endless intervention to post financial reporting online Middle East personnel home NOW Kill families of for public scrutiny, and modernize suspected terrorists the process by updating, digitizing, Torture Opposes Now opposes. Previously Favors water-boarding and and automating the city’s financial made exceptions. other forms of torture War in Bring troops and all U.S. Has a "secret management system. Stay the drift Afghanistan personnel home NOW plan for victory" Bombach believes Baltimore lacks a modern financial re- 500,000 US troops Bring home No clear plans to No clear plans to porting system, which is the root cause of what he calls the stationed abroad 250,000 troops bring them home bring them home city’s “murky finances.” Increase spending “As unbelievable as it may sound, our city runs nearly a $2.6 Military Spending Reduce 20% Increase spending billion budget with no system of checks and balances,” he says. and “get tough” His Libertarian solution is to post financial reporting on- Need NASCAR jacket to $500 million/month Individuals line for public scrutiny, and modernize the process by updat- Campaign Donors list her crony pals in free media continued on page 16... Page 8 The Libertarian Party — www.LP.org October 2016 The 10 most important ballot initiatives Libertarian Honor Robson for Libertarians this November challenges state senator in two-way race By Paul Jacob by Elizabeth C. Brierly Opinions in this column are not necessarily to “crony capitalism.” hen asked by California LP those of the Libertarian Party or its affiliates. Florida’s ballot initiative must gain 60 percent of the vote to prevail. A similar state chair Ted Brown to ibertarians can take a large measure Florida measure failed in 2014, while re- mount a write-in campaign in of credit for the most prolific issue Wthe primary against unchallenged incum- ceiving 58 percent of the vote. on state ballots this year, legalization bent state senator, Ricardo Lara (D), Hon- Lof marijuana or medical marijuana, as well 2. Nonpartisan Primary or “Top Two”: or “Mimi” Robson seized the opportunity. as the issue completely absent from state- Amendment V (South Dakota) She’s now in a two-way race in the state’s wide ballots, gay marriage. South Dakotans will decide whether to 33rd district, having survived the state’s Since the party’s founding in 1971, Liber- scrap the state’s current party primary top-two primary. tarians have supported legalization of mari- system for a nonpartisan primary allow- Robson, a structural engineer, told the Honor “Mimi” Robson for state Senate juana, and all drugs, as well as equal rights ing only two candidates to proceed to the Long Beach Post, which featured her cam- for gays. Interestingly, it was through state- November election. This so-called nonpar- paign in June, that her first priority is to no one’s ever going to ride on it; and it hasn’t wide ballot initiatives that both issues were tisan primary is known as “Top Two,” since reduce or eliminate many of California’s even had one piece of track laid—but it has thrust onto the national political agenda. only the top two vote-getters move past the 200-plus regulatory agencies and commis- already cost a billion dollars,” she said. Gay marriage bans, proposed either by low-turnout primary for a runoff during sions that are “strangling local businesses Robson opposes adding to the state’s bur- state legislatures or citizen initiatives, passed the high-turnout general election. and hurting our local economy.” geoning debt and vows to never raise taxes. in more than 30 states. The success in banning The Libertarian and Green Parties have Robson cites the case of a client’s res- “We’re told we have a ‘balanced budget’ same-sex marriage at the ballot box sparked long campaigned against Top Two, which taurant damaged by a fire. While its insur- thanks to [Gov.] Jerry Brown and all the tax litigation that culminated in a U.S. Supreme obviously marginalizes “third” party candi- ance policy covered the cost of rebuilding, increases of 2012,” she said. “Except: we’re Court ruling striking down these once-pop- dates and their ideas. “Instead of enhancing upgrading to comply with stringent build- $400 billion in debt because of the bond ular bans. Yet the public votes also prompted voter choice,” argues California-based col- ing codes and other standards was not cov- issues and unfunded pensions. Look at all sober deliberation among American voters, umnist Steven Greenhut, “this reform sig- ered, causing great hardship. the bonds and sales taxes on our November producing a significant shift in public opin- nificantly contracts it.” In striking contrast to Lara, who has ballots—we need to not do that.” ion nationally and leading to several statewide Top Two is used in both California and proposed bills to extend Obamacare and Lara has a large war chest, with $1.5 votes in favor of gay marriage. Washington state, to very mixed reviews. MediCal, the state’s version of Medicaid, million raised as of the end of July. But the In the 1990s, voters began seeing medi- Studies show it doesn’t lead to more mod- to cover noncitizens, Robson pledges to more Robson meets constituents, the more cal marijuana measures on their state bal- erate officeholders — a questionable goal expand health freedom. She proposes to she finds he’s “well-liked by politicians, but lots and passing them with ample mar- for public policy to begin with. Nor has deregulate care clinics within pharmacies, not by his constituents.” gins — well before there was any serious Top Two increased . which are available to anyone, “regardless “Lara voted for every one of those gun action in state legislatures. Today, 25 states “California turnout declined more than of legal status, and it’s not costing the state bills — even the ones that Jerry Brown ve- have at least partially legalized marijuana, that in any other state between November anything,” she told LP News. toed — the really ridiculous ones,” she said. and in four states — Alaska, Colorado, Or- 2010 and November 2014,” reports ballot- Robson vows to “never expand big “At one meeting I attended, I found there’s egon, Washington — and the District of Co- access expert Richard Winger. Los Ange- government.” She aims to shift infrastruc- a large contingent of Pink Pistols, for whom lumbia, pot is legal for recreational use. les-based journalist Joe Mathews called ture spending away from projects such Lara’s openly gay status is no advantage.” Marijuana again kicks off the Top 10 Top Two a “disaster.” as “green” summits and high-speed rail In 2012, Lara’s alternative-party oppo- List of this November’s ballot measures (HSR) in favor of repairing aging water nent did no campaigning, yet won 20 per- important to Libertarians. In 2014, efforts to bring pipelines that, if they failed, would cause cent of the vote. Top Two to Arizona and disastrous loss of much-needed water. This year, Robson is turning up the heat. • 1. Legalization of Marijuana Oregon were defeated at “The HSR is .. . never going to be built; Campaign website: www.HonorRobson.com (nine states) the ballot box. Libertarians Nine states have ballot measures regarding should help defeat South a legislator’s answering machine. Gov. Paul eliminated, the second-choice votes from marijuana, with five of those states — Ari- LePage has been controversial, but he has those who had picked that eliminated can- zona, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Dakota's Amendment V also been elected to two terms by garnering didate as their first choice are reallocated and Nevada — deciding whether to legalize as well. a plurality, but not a majority, of the state to the remaining candidates. This process for recreational use. Victories in vote. continues until one candidate has gained a these five would more than double both In 2014, well-funded initiative efforts to In fact, in 42 years, Maine hasn’t elect- majority of the votes. the number of states with legal recreational bring Top Two to Arizona and Oregon were ed a governor obtaining a majority of the The big advantage for Libertarians and use, and the population affected. defeated at the ballot box by whopping two- vote. other alternative-party or independent Initiatives in Arkansas, Florida, Mon- to-one margins. South Dakota Libertarians If Mainers back Question 5, the “No candidates is that ranked-choice voting tana, and North Dakota would permit pot should help defeat Amendment V as well. more wasted votes” initiative, the state wipes out the argument that by voting for for medicinal purposes. Arkansas sports would be the first to use a voting system a candidate one believes in, but who is 3. Ranked Choice Voting : two somewhat competing medical mari- wherein voters rank their choices. The idea Question 5 (Maine) unlikely to win, one’s vote is wasted. Un- juana measures, a statute and a constitu- behind ranked-choice voting is that no der the ranked-choice system, that vote is tional amendment, with some arguing the Maine’s governor has been in the news re- candidate should be elected until receiving tallied and counted for the candidate one amendment creates a pot cartel amounting cently for a profanity-laced tirade he left on a majority. When a last-place candidate is continued on page 9... Vol. 46, Issue 4 The Libertarian Party — www.LP.org Page 9 Kim Tavendale: “Root out crony capitalism” Exemplifying Libertarian generosity ibertarian Kim Tavendale is in by Carla Howell was the LPMD candidate for attorney gen- politics because of the arrogance of hen he heard the call that a fel- eral in 2014, and won over 57,000 votes. power. Not her own, but of those low Libertarian needed a kid- It was the most of any alternative-party Lwho hold elected office in her home state ney to save his life, Dave Sten, candidate running for a statewide office in of Colorado. Wa 16-year LP activist and former Maryland state history, eclipsing ’s presi- She vividly remembers the day several LP chair, quickly stepped in. dential vote totals in 2000. years ago when she called the office of her Leo Dymowski, 2016 candidate for cir- Leo is charged up about his 2016 cam- state representative, Democrat Dianne Pri- cuit court judge and another long-time paign, where he’s running against two vul- mavera, to voice her opposition to a gun Libertarian activist, was born with only nerable incumbents. He’s running radio bill being considered by the legislature. one kidney. It had been slowly failing for ads in October. Among other things, the measure pro- decades, when its function dropped to less “It’s great to see Leo so high-energy and vided for limiting the size of ammunition than 10 percent, requiring a transplant. running another great campaign, espe- magazines, making the gun Tavendale had No one in Leo’s family was eligible to be cially after coming off major surgery.” said at home practically illegal. a donor. They needed to find someone else LPMD state chair Bob Johnston. She wanted to give Rep. Primavera a willing to part with a kidney. Dave, who ran for school board in 2010 piece of her mind, but did not even get So, on March 16, the Maryland LP post- and served as LPMD state chair from 2005 through. Kim Tavendale for State Rep (District 33) ed a call for help at its website. to 2007, said, “The Libertarian Party is “I spoke to someone in her office, and She strongly favors a repeal of Obam- When Dave saw the announcement, he about free choice and what you do with the essential message I got from that con- acare, arguing that “federal policies are a wanted to donate, but needed to sleep on your own body. It’s about helping people versation was ‘We don’t care,’ ” Tavendale major source of the pathologies in our the decision. The next morning, he told his through charity. Being humane.” • recalls. “I understood that my opinion was healthcare system.” wife, “I really want to do this.” Campaign website: LeoForJudge2016.com not even wanted.” He contacted Leo’s family, called the It is this arrogance of power, which has “Federal policies are hospital, and arranged to take the needed metastasized from faraway Washington all a major source of the tests to determine whether he was eligible the way to Denver and beyond, that Tav- to be a donor. endale, a multifaith minister from Broom- pathologies in our “It worked out wonderfully,” he said. field, Co., is vowing to fight. healthcare system.” After their operations on Aug. 4, both “We have too many career politicians,” — Kim Tavendale men recovered quickly and successfully. she told LP News. “It is not what the Dave was back at his job by Sept. 1, and Founding Fathers wanted. Ordinary peo- Tavendale also promises to work tire- Leo’s life was saved. ple don’t get involved in politics anymore. lessly to stop wasteful government spend- “Dave Sten is one of my heroes,” Leo And if we don’t get involved, we lose our ing and get government out of businesses, said. “He had to go through months of ability to participate in the system.” where it does not belong. testing. And the thought of contributing a The immigrant from New Zealand who “These days, politicians run trains, bail out body party is just amazing. My family and arrived in the United States in 1999 and banks, construct houses, sell insurance, print friends are so grateful for his generosity.” is now a proud citizen wants Primavera’s books, and build basketball courts,” the Lib- “Right after the operation, I felt better seat, and she is convinced that her inclu- Kidney donor Dave Sten and recipient ertarian candidate points out. “But the fact than I had in thirty years,” he said. sive Libertarian agenda will resonate with Leo Dymowski recovering quickly after is, every service supplied by the government A lawyer of 25 years, Leo Dymowski operation on August 4 voters tired of politics as usual. can be provided better and cheaper by private “First, we need to root out crony capital- business in a competitive marketplace.” ism and return to the rule of law,” Tavendale On drugs, she argues that drug use that Ballot initiatives ors. The measure would save the state con- declares, proposing an economic agenda does not harm others is a personal matter ...continued from page 8 siderable funds, in addition to saving real that includes eliminating regulations that and “should not be punished.” people from being labeled felons and losing insulate market incumbents from compe- most supports, but it can also, if no candi- Tavendale, 45, has lived in Broomfield many rights, for life. Currently, one of every tition, abolishing government subsidies of date garners a majority and the Libertarian since 2008, with her husband, a software is eliminated, go on to count for another 12 Oklahomans is a felon. specific industries or companies, and phas- developer who works in nearby Boulder, ing out special tax and regulatory treatment candidate one prefers over others. 5. Minimum Wage (five states) and their two children. In such a system, voters might be far of particular industries or companies. She believes she has a good chance of Voters in four states — Arizona, Colora- On fiscal matters, she favors user fees more inclined to support Libertarian Party reaching out to voters in her 33rd District candidates. do, Maine, and Washington — will decide over general taxes. She calls for eliminat- because a majority are independent, rather whether to hike their state’s minimum ing business taxes, which, she says, “hide than Democratic or Republican. 4. Reclassifying Drug and Property wage. In a fifth state, South Dakotans will the cost of taxation, burden employers, She vows that if elected in November, Crimes as Misdemeanors : vote to approve or reject a law passed by and reduce business activity.” her office will be made accessible to the State Question 780 (Oklahoma) the state legislature creating a lower mini- On education, the Libertarian candi- people who elected her. mum wage for those under 18 years of age. date proposes private-school deregulation “I will always be willing to listen,” the State Question 780 also relates to the drug Ballot measures upping the minimum and public-school reform that would ease Libertarian tells her constituents. • war. The initiated statute would take numer- wage have been a perennial device to boost licensing and certification rules, accredita- ous crimes now classified as felonies — most Campaign website: Democratic Party turnout, and the initia- tion requirements, and reduce unfunded notably, regarding drug possession — and www.KimForColorado.com state and federal mandates. demote those offenses to mere misdemean- continued on page 11... Page 10 The Libertarian Party — www.LP.org October 2016 50 states’ ballots Libertarian Scott Ford stands for principle ...continued from page 1 cott Ford, an educator of 16 years and If elected, Ford said he will “No money for professional-style sta- In August, the Ohio Secretary of State the Libertarian for state rep running diums or administration buildings” while briefly threatened to prohibit Libertarians in a northern suburb of Houston, Tex- advocate cutting the bud- classroom supplies go unfunded, argues from substituting Johnson’s name for stand-in as,S has always put principle before profit. get of every government Ford. “Teachers and staff should be able to candidate Charlie Earl, but backed off. Use of A few years ago, the National Secu- agency by 50 percent. evaluate their school administrators.” stand-in, or placeholder, candidate names on rity Agency offered Ford a lucrative, He is also calling for the immediate ex- petitions is a common practice in most of the $150,000-per-year job as a trainer. He will also reform pulsion of students who attack teachers. states where petitioning must begin before the But he turned it down. property taxes that he Scott Ford promises never to vote for party’s nominee is known. It was used in Ohio “I walked away from this job when I finds prohibitively high. He any bill that tries to take away Americans’ in 1980, 1996, 2000, and 2004. found out about their unconstitutional right to bear arms, and never to support In Pennsylvania, Libertarian National collection of our private information,” he favors a sunset provision in any ban on weapons or ammunition. He Committee legal counsel Oliver Hall spent tells LP News. “Everyone knew that we the tax law that would end firmly believes in the constitutional right months lobbying legislators and working to were doing it to our enemies. But to find collection of property taxes to carry a gun, which makes all kinds of convince a judge to lower the state’s high sig- out we were doing the same to our own after a set number of years. governmental gun permits unnecessary. nature requirement for alternative parties and people was absolutely shocking.” “I also fully support the right of a busi- independents. He finally secured a court order Ford’s only opponent in this race is ness to make its own decisions on allowing to reduce it from 21,775 to 5,000 signatures, establishment-Republican Dan Huberty, he finds prohibitively high. He favors a open carry, concealed carry, or banning but not until three weeks before the party was who has held the post since 2011 and who sunset provision in the tax law that would guns,” he says. “However, any business that due to call in signatures. By that time, the LP ran unopposed for re-election in 2014. So end collection of property taxes after a set bans guns should be 100 percent liable for had been forced to collect more than 25,000 entrenched is he that Democrats see it as number of years. their patrons’ protection.” • signatures, not having had certainty that the “In Texas, you never actually own your futile to try to challenge him. Campaign website: requirement would be reduced. home,” the Libertarian explains. “So long But not Ford, who sees weaknesses in ScottFordYourTexasRep.com The party also filed lawsuits in Connecti- Huberty’s candidacy. as the state can tax you on your home cut and New York against bans on out-of-state When the incumbent was board presi- without end, you never really own it. Addi- circulators; in Maine to enable a successful dent of Humble Dis- tionally, with property taxes going up each voter-registration drive; and in in an trict (2009–10), the district was ranked as year, we are pricing fixed-income seniors attempt to avoid the need to petition. having four of the worst schools in Texas. out of their homes and making it harder In 2012, the Libertarian nominees were When he was in the state house, Empow- for new home-buyers to achieve a piece of on the ballot in 48 states. This was due, in er Texans, a group who fights profligate the American dream.” part, to the “sore loser” law, which says that spending, graded Huberty “F” on fiscal Ford’s position on education is pro– a candidate who runs in the primary of one responsibility. school choice. party cannot run again for the same office Ford is a strong believer in cutting bud- “Parents should have the right to choose under another party’s banner. Republicans gets and increasing efficiency. the best education for their children,” he in Ohio and Michigan tried to use this law “The money we spend in local, state, says. “I 100 percent support and will vote to knock Johnson off the ballot, after he and the federal government is criminal,” for school choice. My opponent and [the] had run in the 2012 Republican primary. he notes. incumbent, Dan Huberty, is against school Only in Michigan did they succeed. If elected, Ford said he will advocate choice.” Johnson also did not make the ballot in cutting the budget of every government His message to his community can be Oklahoma in 2012 because the party did not agency by 50 percent. summarized in three words: frugality, ac- submit enough voter signatures. Since then, countability, and discipline. He will also reform property taxes that Scott Ford for Texas state rep the Oklahoma legislature lowered the state’s highest-in-the-nation signature requirement. Thom Simmons ing veteran’s issues, such as homelessness. “We must never give in to hate, whether The Green Party presidential ticket is on ...continued from page 6 He favors a greater reliance on the Na- that hate is directed against the gay com- the ballot in 44 states. • sees as an instrument of “corporate wel- tional Guard to protect U.S. borders and munity, immigrants, or the Muslim com- fare.” assist communities with disaster relief. munity,” Simmons said in a statement To appear on the ballot, he collected The Pentagon budget would see a cut of His opposition to Common Core and issued in June, in the wake of the mass 2,950 signatures from voters in 79 towns 20 percent. government regulations has earned him shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando. and cities in the district, ending up with “We should stop using our servicemen the support of teachers’ unions and local “The politics of hate and division has been 200 more than the 2,000 valid signatures and -women for empire building around farmers, while his uncompromising stance all too prevalent in recent political cam- required. the world, protecting oil interests, and si- in support of the Second Amendment is paigns, and Americans from all walks of Eleven more major campaign appear- phoning off the military budget to buy resonating with a more conservative part life must stand together in refusing to al- ances are planned at the time of this writ- unneeded equipment from industrialists,” of the electorate. low our diverse, liberty-loving nation to ing , including at the Easthampton Cultural argues the Libertarian candidate. Simmons’s candidacy also has a unique be torn apart by those who would seek to Chaos Arts festival, the Agawam Cham- Simmons, an active member of the personal aspect. A family man with six ad- divide and conquer.” ber of Commerce, farmers’ markets, the all-volunteer U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, opted children, he is running as an openly Whether accompanied by volunteers or Westfield State University Political Science wishes to redirect military spending away gay and openly HIV-positive candidate, alone, Simmons is on the campaign trail Club, and the Pittsfield Rainbow Seniors. • from armaments and toward overhauling which puts him in a very narrow category every day, crisscrossing the largest con- Campaign website: the Veterans Administration and address- of politicians. gressional district in Massachusetts. www.Simmons4Congress.com Vol. 46, Issue 4 The Libertarian Party — www.LP.org Page 11 Scenes from 2016 Libertarian Party ballot-access petitioning

Heath Patterson petitioning in a Chicago subway Jeff Kimelman, Robert Sochon, Michelle Kimelman sorting New Hampshire petitions by town

Petitioners Paul Frankel, T.E. Finnegan, and Robert Johnson meet with Daniel Dean at Alabama Secretary of State office to turn in petitions

LP candidates Martin Mounton & Matt Klokel, Political Director Carla Howell, & Johnson media coordinator John LaBeaume prepare D.C. petitions at Klokel’s shop, Fantom Comics. Lex Green preparing Illinois petitions Ballot initiatives to watch to hold support down to 54.9 percent or less of the vote. increasing access to voluntary early learning opportunities ...continued from page 9 One opponent dubbed it “the Rich Guy Protection Act.” for low-income and at-risk children.” A coalition of grassroots groups opposing Amendment Despite being one of the nation’s most anti-tax states, tives rarely meet any organized opposition. Libertarians un- 71 includes several Libertarian Party activists and is co- Oklahoma has managed to maintain a healthy public- derstand that minimum-wage laws are arbitrary restraints chaired by Common Cause and the Independence Institute. education budget. So a victory here for a measure add- on the freedom to contract of both employees and employ- ing a increase to the state constitution, hit- ers. Moreover, those hurt most are the poor and low-skilled 7. Revision of State Campaign Finance and Lobbying ting the poor hardest — shopping in some neighborhoods workers yearning for an entry-level job. Laws: Initiated Measure 22 (South Dakota) could cost an extra 12 cents on every dollar — would set a Libertarians could play an outsized role in this debate terrible example and greenlight tax hikers in the Sooner by actively opposing these ballot initiatives on moral prin- This initiative statute would create an appointed state eth- State — and across the country. ciple, while illuminating the harm a wage floor can inflict ics commission with broad powers, a new system of public financing through which taxpayers could earmark pub- on those the regulation is allegedly supposed to help: the 9. Tax the Rich (Maine and Oregon) poor and disadvantaged. lic funds to candidates of their choice running for state or legislative office. It would also constrain further the dollar Two statewide ballot measures seek to tax the rich. In 6. Make Constitutional Initiatives More Difficult: limits on campaign contributions and create more stringent Maine, Question 2 would slap a three-percent surcharge Amendment 71 (Colorado) disclosure requirements for candidates and ballot measures. on the portion of individual incomes above $200,000 per Initiated Measure 22’s use of government funding for year and use the funds for education. Measure 97 on Or- Bipartisan establishment forces are behind Amendment 71, political activity, while also limiting private contribu- egon’s ballot would establish a tax of 2.5 percent on the which would require constitutional amendment ballot ini- tions and requiring disclosure that threatens to chill First portion of corporations’ gross sales in excess of $25 mil- tiatives to (a) qualify their petitions not only statewide but Amendment activity, is anathema to Libertarians. lion per annum. The Oregon Legislative Revenue Office also in each of the 35 state senate districts, and (b) win a has calculated that corporations with sales of $20 million supermajority of 55 percent in order to prevail. 8. One Percent Sales Tax: and below would be unaffected, while those with $70 mil- By requiring success in each of 35 separate senate-dis- State Question 779 (Oklahoma) lion or more in sales would see a whopping 23-fold tax trict petition drives on top of meeting the current state- increase. wide signature threshold, the new requirement dramati- This initiated constitutional amendment would hike the The idea behind both the Maine and Oregon tax mea- cally increases the cost and difficulty of qualifying a ballot state’s sales tax another penny on the dollar — a 22-percent sures is to tax the rich. Libertarians will oppose both mea- measure. The impact will be far more problematic for increase over the current rate of 4.5 percent — mostly to sures, because taxpayers and businesses shouldn’t be fork- grassroots efforts than for powerful interests. Moreover, fund pay raises for teachers but also to fund other programs ing over more money to government, nor should success be the measure allows a well-financed opposition — special aimed at “addressing teacher shortages,” improving “read- specifically punished. interests, big business, big labor, or all of the above — to ing in early grades . . . high school graduation rates, col- defeat reforms by running negative campaigns designed lege and career readiness, and college affordability . . . and ...continued on page 12 Page 12 The Libertarian Party — www.LP.org October 2016 Highlights of July LNC meeting Campaigning hard ...continued from page 5 by Alicia Mattson, Daniel Hayes was chosen to chair the report in the Palm Beach Free Press, “The LNC Secretary Affiliate Support Committee, and Hayes event was held at the Wertheim Performing he Libertarian National Committee selected David Demarest, Patrick McKnight, Arts Center which had a capacity of 585 (LNC) held a one-day meeting on and Steve Nekhaila from the LNC to serve when well in excess of 700 people showed July 17, following the FreedomFest with him. The remaining three positions up to see the two governors. People turned Tconference in Las Vegas, Nevada. on the Affiliate Support Committee are away were in the outside rotunda watching Due to increased interest in our presi- selected by the Libertarian State Leadership the event on their smartphones as it was dential ticket this year, the financial reports Alliance, and they appointed Leigh Lachine, being live streamed.” from our national convention were unusu- George Phillies, and Michael Pickens. Shawn Elliot of Vero Beach told the pa- ally good. The LNC made a few budget ad- Based on a presentation by Trent Somes, per, “Gary Johnson took it upon himself to justments to accommodate expenditures the LNC sanctioned his desire to formally walk out front of the auditorium and talk for ballot-access petition drives and to ac- develop plans to conduct a National Re- to the people that were unable to gain en- count for greatly increased sales of Liber- register Week, encouraging youth to change trance. This man is pure class. He is a true tarian-branded items from our online store. their voter registrations to Libertarian. man of the people. Approachable as anyone The untimely death of Dr. Marc Feldman The LNC revised its retainer agreement can be. If you want government to work as had created a vacancy in one of the LNC at- with our legal counsel to adjust for his in- it should and unconstitutional laws to be a large positions. The LNC chose Joshua Katz creased workload, voted to contribute $10,000 thing of the past, I urge you to Google Gary of Connecticut to fill the vacancy for the re- to the re-election campaign of Nevada Assem- In August, Larry Sharpe of New York, a 2016 Johnson and the Libertarian Party, and get candidate for the Libertarian vice-presidential mainder of the term. blyman John Moore, and allocated $10,000 to on board. He wouldn’t be running if he the Affiliate Support Committee. nomination, was elected to the LNC as didn’t have a chance to win.” The LNC appointed Joe Buchman, Julie alternate regional rep for Region 8. Fox, and Aaron Starr to serve on the Audit The next LNC meeting will be held on The paper quoted a new supporter, Ran- Committee for this term. Dec. 10–11, 2016, in Alexandria, Va. • dy Barnaby, who said, “My head is about to explode from all the common sense.” and public-health organizations, who charge On Sept. 2, the campaign drew a crowd Ballot initiatives that the measure is designed not to protect ...continued from page 11 after posting a casting call to their mil- performers but to enable a “bonanza” of law- lions of Facebook and followers, to 10. Mandated Condom Use in Porno- suits against the adult-film industry. Thinking of gather at Balboa Park in San Diego to help graphic Films: Proposition 60 (Calif.) Libertarians have a lot of opportunities running for shoot a campaign video. • Lastly, California’s Proposition 60 superbly to make a difference this election, including office? demonstrates the absurd lengths govern- on these and the rest of the 160 statewide Media and debates ment can go to in regulating behavior. This ballot measures in 35 states. By supporting ...continued from page 5 statutory initiative would mandate that freedom-enhancing ballot measures and Aug. 30 that not only should Johnson be adult-film actors wear condoms during sex- opposing those which expand big govern- included in the CPD debates, but also that It’s not too ual-intercourse scenes. The measure also ment, Libertarians can show the public NBC and MSNBC should include him in requires film producers to pay for medical our principles, and start to fashion better their Commander-in-Chief forum, which early to examinations for performers, and it allows public policies without waiting for election would air live on Sept. 7. any citizen to sue to enforce the various of Libertarians to the executive branch or The networks excluded him despite a plan your provisions of the ballot measure. state and federal legislatures. • well-publicized protest by veterans bol- It’s noteworthy that the Golden State’s Re- Paul Jacob is a longtime LP member and stered by media coverage. The Hillreported run for publican and Democratic Parties have joined former national director. He currently serves as on Sept. 1, “Hundreds of military veterans LP California in opposing the proposition. president of Citizens in Charge, a pro-initiative are demanding that Libertarian nominee 2017 or Also against the initiative are the Adult Film advocacy group. He writes commentary daily Gary Johnson be included in a televised Advocacy Committee and many civil-rights at: ThisIsCommonSense.com presidential forum hosted next week by 2018. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America” Fundraising by PACs which Adweek called “the most viral ad of (IAVA). Visit: ...continued from page 3 the 2016 election.” The paper noted that IAVA’s social- unpopular within their own parties, not to The ad logged more than 18 million media pages were flooded with calls from LP.org/ mention the general public. And the Liber- views and 420,000 shares in two weeks, veterans to allow Johnson on stage with tarians are putting forth two very success- according to Adweek. It promotes a vote- Trump and Clinton, and that IAVA’s Face- run-for-office ful former governors.” exchange program called Balanced Rebel- book rating plummeted from 5.0 to 2.4 Americans Deserve Better, another super lion, which matches disenfranchised voters when it refused to budge. and send us your inquiry. PAC supporting the Libertarians, ran ads in who don’t want Hillary Clinton for presi- IAVA subsequently invited Johnson to You’ll receive information you Maine’s second congressional district that re- dent but can’t stand Donald Trump, with participate in one of a series of separate need to get started, file your sulted in nearly doubling Johnson’s poll num- those in their state who don’t want Trump Commander-in-Chief forums. campaign, comply with your bers there. The PAC is co-led by , for president but can’t stand Clinton. Each As of Sept. 12, 826,888 people had state’s election laws, former Libertarian National Committee chair. agrees to instead cast his vote for Gov. Gary signed a petition at the Johnson–Weld and get on the ballot. A third PAC, Free the People, led by for- Johnson, allaying their fear of being the campaign website (JohnsonWeld .com) mer FreedomWorks president Matt Kibbe, cause of their state’s electoral college votes calling for inclusion of Gary Johnson in created an ad called “Dead Abe Lincoln” going to the candidate they like least. • debates. • Vol. 46, Issue 4 The Libertarian Party — www.LP.org Page 13 Impact of 2016 presidential vote on Libertarian Party ballot access By Bob Johnston and Carla Howell In most states, gaining full-ballot access allows the LP to ertarian presidential vote results will have on particular he votes that Libertarians Gary Johnson and Wil- run candidates up and down the ticket and significantly re- states. States not listed are not affected by the presidential liam Weld receive for president and vice president duces requirements for petitioning and/or filing. Arizona, vote. • in the November election will have a significant im- New York, and Massachusetts are notable exceptions. Richard Winger of Ballot Access News contributed to this Tpact on the party’s ballot access in the future. The following table shows the impact that various Lib- article. AR 3% in the presidential race gets full-ballot access for two KY 2% in the presidential race gets ballot access for four OK 2.5% in the race for president retains ballot access for two years. Would be the first time the party has ever retained years. It would be the first time ever in the state. Would years. Would be the first time in history for any party other ballot access. Removes need to petition to get on the ballot. not have to collect 5,000 signatures for 2020 presidential than Democrats and Republicans. If LP gets 2.5% for CT 1% in the presidential race allows the state party to nominee or other statewide candidates. governor in 2018, presidential candidate gets on the 2020 avoid having to collect 7,500 signatures to get the 2020 MA 3% in the presidential race gets party status for two years. ballot without petitioning. presidential candidate on the ballot. Signature requirement would be unchanged. “Libertarian” RI 5% in the presidential race gets ballot access for four DC Candidate for president, city council, or delegate to U.S. would be added as a choice on voter registration forms. years. Would be the first time in party history. Signature House must get 7,500 votes. Would be the second time party MN 5% in the presidential race gets ballot access for four requirements would remain the same. has achieved ballot access (last time in 2012). Signature years. Would remove the need to petition. TX 5% in any statewide race gets ballot access for two years. requirements to get candidates on the ballot would be NH 4% in the race for governor or U.S. Senate (presidential Would avoid requirement to collect approximately 80,000 significantly less in 2018. vote has no effect) gets ballot access for two years. Would signatures in 75 days. Party has been able to retain ballot GA Approximately 1.5% of votes cast (1% of registered be the first time since November 1996. Would remove a access for many years, but always had at least one two- voters) for any statewide candidate allows the party to run significant petitioning requirement. way statewide race to get the 5% vote threshold required statewide candidates in 2018 without petitioning. NC 2% in the race for president or governor retains ballot access to retain access. There are no two-way statewide races this IL 5% in race for president, U.S. Senate, or comptroller gets for four years. LPNC has retained ballot access through last election. However, Mark Miller for Railroad Commission ballot access in 2018 for statewide candidates. Statewide two presidential cycles. If party loses ballot access, will have has received endorsements from the Houston Chronicle candidates would still need to petition, but much less (5,000 to collect signatures equal to 2% of votes cast in 2016 for and the Dallas Morning News. signatures instead of 25,000). Signatures needed for state governor (approximately 90,000 signatures). WA 5% in the presidential race allows the state party to get the Senate and House candidates would be cut in half (to 1,000 ND 5% in the race for president or governor retains ballot 2020 presidential candidate on the ballot without petitioning. and 500 signatures, respectively). access for 2 years. Would be the second time in party WV 1% in the race for governor (presidential vote has no IA 2% in the presidential race gets ballot access for two history that party retained ballot access. Would remove effect) gives the party ballot access for four years. years. Would be the first time ever in the state. Signature the need to petition. Otherwise, party will have to petition for president and all requirement would be significantly less. other candidates to get on the ballot in 2018 & 2020. Libertarian candidates likely to secure 10-year ballot access for LP Hawaii he Libertarian Party of Hawaii is on the cusp of her hometown of Hilo. in Hawaii’s 10th district. securing ballot access for the next ten years, thanks Arianoff is calling for “I believe that everyone has the right to their own life, to six candidates running for the state Senate there. ending the their liberty, and their own property, as long as they re- T“It is almost a mathematical certainty,” Tracy Ryan, state in Hawaii, arguing that its spect, in kind, the rights of others,” he insists. chair of the Libertarian Party of Hawaii, tells LP News. repeal will return $4,300, on Libertarian Harry Ozols from District 13 is a former “Since three of our six candidates are in two-way races, we average, to Hilo families to United Airlines pilot who is worried about the situation should easily meet the four percent of total votes cast in reinvest in their lives. in the education system, which he sees as bureaucratized state senate races needed to qualify for the 2018 ballot.” She is also for rolling and inefficient. Libertarians are fielding more candidates for state Sen- back job licensing regula- According to Ozols’s research, the state of Hawaii spends ate than are Republicans, who have managed to field only tions, which she sees as a nearly $12,000 to educate each student, every year. Mean- five this year. contributing factor to the while, the cost of private education there is closer to $11,000. Libertarians are fielding more state’s high unemployment. “With an Education Savings Account, parents could “What imminent danger choose as to where to educate their children, and our chil- candidates for state Senate than are Kimberly Arianoff for is there in getting hair cut or state Senate dren would wind up the best educated in the country,” the Republicans, who have managed to toenails painted?” she asks. candidate points out. field only five this year. “Our government should Rounding out the list of LP Hawaii candidates are Joseph help success, not hinder it. In a state with the highest cost Kent (District 11) and Roman Kalinowski (District 15). • Under Hawaiian law, if a party meets one if its ballot-sta- of living and the highest homelessness per capita . . . in the tus qualification requirements in three consecutive electoral nation, occupational licensing hurts the most vulnerable events, it can enjoy automatic and unlimited ballot access citizens.” in five subsequent election cycles, or for 10 years. Winning Running in the second state Senate district is Fred Fogel, 4 percent of the total Senate vote is one of the ways to qualify. a former Marine Corps F-4 Phantom fighter pilot, whose This means access to the ballots in presidential, con- platform includes balanced budgets, mandatory term limits gressional, and local races, according to Ryan. of eight years for any politician, and elimination of sales tax The Libertarians met the 4-percent requirement in on food and medicine. 2012, when they conducted a signature drive to get on the Fogel is a staunch opponent of government welfare. ballot, and in the state Senate elections of 2014. They are “The government cannot give to anybody anything well on their way to repeat the success of two years ago. that the government does not first take from somebody Leading the list of candidates is Kimberly Arianoff, else,” he points out. running in the state Senate’s 1st District, which includes Lawyer Arnold T. Phillips is aiming for the Senate seat A meeting of members of the Libertarian Party of Hawaii Page 14 The Libertarian Party — www.LP.org October 2016

gram through LP.org has begun and is off to candidates is attributed to two factors: a fantastic start. Additionally, grassroots ac- • Developing Facebook connections Affiliate Updates tivists have started door-hanging programs. with liberty-minded people and Through the assistance of Andy Burns, groups, and LPCO has launched a NationBuilder web- • Campaigns and Elections Chair Affiliate news and events are site, drawing multiple leads per day, and James Schneider’s $15 investment provided to LP News by has been a tremendous boon for the party to boost a Facebook post asking for Libertarian Party state affiliates. and its growth. candidates. That $15 Facebook post produced a slew Arizona Illinois of inquiries about running for office. James Meetings every second Monday of month 75 new members every month spent lots of time communicating with he activism of LP Arizona happens P Illinois county chairs report that each respondent, using a candidate vetting Tthrough its county affiliates. The largest Lthey are having record attendance. questionnaire to determine whether each and most active county affiliate, the Marico- Volunteers for our statewide candidates, prospect was libertarian-minded. pa County Libertarian Party (Phoenix), will including the Johnson–Weld campaign, Currently, six LP Iowa members hold be holding its monthly meeting on Oct. 10. are stepping up in record numbers to call nonpartisan offices. 2016 may become the Join us for a lively discussion, and busi- voters, canvass their neighborhood, write year that Iowans elect their first Libertar- ness as needed. Newcomers and guests are letters to editors, and attend events. A Chi- ian to a partisan office. always welcome. Our meetings are open Colorado Libertarians promoting Johnson– cago businessman donated an office build- to all, regardless of voter registration. This Weld 2016 to motorists on game day ing to the campaign, so we now have the Kansas Featured in Topeka Capital-Journal will be our last meeting before election day! Gary Johnson Victory Center in Chicago, grassroots activists gathered on a Denver where 24,000 people pass by our campaign xcitement is running high in Kansas Where: China Village overpass, just before a Denver Broncos signs every day. this election cycle. 2710 E. Indian School Rd. game, with both home-made and profes- E Controller candidate Claire Ball and On Sun., Aug. 28, the Topeka Capital– Phoenix, Arizona 85016 sionally printed signs showing their sup- senate candidate Kent McMillen attend Journal ran a nice front-page story about the When: Monday, October 10, 2016 port for Gary Johnson and inviting - many events weekly. They have visited party, headlined, “Kansas libertarians bullish 6:30 P.M.: Dinner & socializing torists to honk. The honking was nearly more than 50 cities, towns, and villages on 2016, pursue ‘major party’ status for 2018.” 7:00 P.M.: Call to order nonstop. Party spokespersons have been across the state, speaking at fairs, schools, On Fri., Aug. 26, there were five well- interviewed for important local news out- LP of Maricopa County meetings are and town halls. They sometimes travel 300 attended watch parties across Kansas, for lets including , Westword, normally held on the second Monday of miles or more to attend events and meet the Libertarian Town Hall on Fox Business. and Colorado Public Radio. each month. voters. Our growing teams of volunteers The Kansas State Fair was held Senatorial candidate Lily Tang Williams are already distributing door hangers with Sept. 9–18. For the 25th consecutive year, continues to inspire crowds with her pas- information about all of our LP candidates. the LPKS had a presence. And, as has been Colorado sion for liberty and her testimony of life Sign holders draw support Like most states right now, Illinois is the case for many of those 25 years, the in communist China, and LPCO expects a having an influx of new members and vol- booth was right across the aisle from the he LP of Colorado has had an amazing strong showing in her race, along with those unteers. All year long, we have averaged two booth of the Kansas Secretary of State. season of successful outreach events of other strong, principled local candidates. T to three new members per day, and we have The state fair is very popular. Many lo- since the Libertarian National Convention. Distribution of Gary Johnson 2016 yard filled the majority of our state offices. We cal middle and high schools sponsored Recently, a group of more than 50 signs obtained via the bulk purchases pro- have approved four new county chapters, field trips, and students were encouraged and three more are ready to file papers. to stop by the political booths to ask ques- Meantime, Libertarians working hard, tions and pick up literature. On weekends, doing what we do best: fighting taxes and attendees crowded the aisles. The LPKS government corruption. Fox Valley Liber- booth was always stocked with voter reg- tarians (FVLP) have been working to stop a istration forms, and once an attendee reg- proposed 14-percent property tax increase istered as, or changed his or her affiliation in the downtown West Dundee business to, Libertarian, the Secretary of State’s district. FVLP members are working with booth was just a few feet away to process property owners and others to sway the the form. Many volunteers staffed the village board of trustees to vote down the booth, from all over the state. increase. FVLP members have been busy The LPKS executive committee meets with phone banks, literature distribution, monthly, usually by phone. But four times canvassing, sign waving, letters to the editor, per year, meetings are held in person, ro- and circulating petitions, to get the word out. tating the venue among the four congres- sional districts; those meetings are open to Iowa the public. The meeting on Aug. 14 in To- Running a record number of candidates peka had the highest attendance ever, in- cluding a number of newcomers who have owa will have a record 24 Libertarians since become active members. running for office, exceeding the slate of Libertarian activists Austin Faux and his children promoting Johnson–Weld 2016 to Denver I Al Terwelp has been named chair of the motorists on the Broncos’ game day 18 who ran in 2002. The record number of continued on page 15... Vol. 46, Issue 4 The Libertarian Party — www.LP.org Page 15

a reputation as someone who could control tarian convention; I’ll get to vote for him costs with innovative use of technology. again on Nov. 8,” he said proudly. “If I’m Affiliate Updates From 2003 through 2006, Sidamon- very lucky, I will get to vote for him a third Eristoff served as commissioner of the time in December.” New York State department of finance un- ...continued from page 14 Our U.S. House candidate has been der Gov. . In 2010, he was Ohio Libertarians of NE Kansas (Topeka area). invited to all the debates, but health con- nominated by Gov. for New Submits 12,000 signatures for ballot Third District LP of Kansas (Kansas cerns have put a damper on that. We ex- Jersey treasurer, and became the longest- access City area) hosted a Liberty’s Night Out pect he’ll be able to participate in the Great serving state treasurer in almost 40 years. n Aug. 24, LP Ohio was informed by event on Aug. 27 to fund campaigns for Falls debate in October. In addition to overseeing the development the office of Ohio Secretary of State several local candidates. Our newly redesigned website is up of a succession of $30 billion state budgets O and running. We invite LP News readers to which controlled taxes and spending while Jon Husted that a sufficient number of sig- Massachusetts check it out. The MTLP is fairly confident maintaining core services, he played a key natures on their petitions had been verified, Three candidates on ballot that in November, we’ll achieve the 5 per- role in developing and pushing through so the LP ticket of Johnson and Weld will cent needed to retain our major-party sta- historic reforms in 2011 to begin address- appear on the Ohio ballot this November. assachusetts Libertarians are on the tus for another four years. ing the state’s broken pension and health- LPO activists had submitted on Aug. 9 Mballot, including Thom Simmons benefit system. more than 12,000 petition signatures for (U.S. Congress, 1st District, western Massa- Website: www.MTLP.org the ticket. Because of machinations by chusetts), Bob Underwood (state represen- Ohio’s governor in 2014, including his tative, Springfield and Chicopee), and Dani- North Carolina ramming through the legislature a draco- New Jersey State LP names multipartisan slate of al Fishman (state representative, Beverly). Record-breaking slate of 20 candidates nian ballot-access law, the LP ticket will presidential electors Ballot line acquisition has also been ob- have to appear on the Ohio ballot without P New Jersey membership has exploded tained for our presidential and vice-presi- he LP of North Carolina nominated a party label. On Aug. 15, the committee above 68 percent in 2016, so far. A re- dential candidates. L a slate of presidential electors that that had originally begun the petitioning cord-breaking 20 Libertarian candidates will T includes Libertarians, Democrats, Repub- in March submitted paperwork to replace appear on the ballot in N.J. this November. licans, and unaffiliated registered voters. the “placeholder” candidates whose names Montana Presidential candidate Gov. Gary John- This is the first time in its history that the appeared on the petition, with the names Outreach at county fairs and parades son and his running mate, Gov. William party has had a full complement of elec- of Johnson and Weld. The same day, the Weld, have tapped former N.J. state trea- t has been a busy summer in Montana. The tors: 15 electors, 15 first alternates, and 14 secretary of state issued a ruling that the surer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff as their Gary Johnson campaign opened an office second alternates. substitution would be accepted. The LPO I state campaign chair. The story began in Billings, our largest city, and at our yearly “We wanted our electors to match the had submitted about 2.5 times the signa- when Eristoff publicly broke with the Re- fair booths, visitors have been asking for his vision and original intent of the Constitu- tures needed, and volunteers had vetted publican Party in a Facebook post, writ- 2016 yard signs and bumper stickers. So far, tion,” said Brian Irving, state party chair. more than 6,500 of the signatures, far more ing, “Although I have always been a strong we’ve had booths at the Gallatin County Fair, This slate includes 15 registered unaffili- than the required 5,000. Republican, I cannot support my party’s Yellowstone County Fair, Ravalli County ated voters, two registered Democrats, and The Libertarian Party of Ohio held its nominee this year. Instead, I will happily Fair, and the Western Montana Fair. two registered Republicans. special 2016 convention on Sat., Aug. 13, vote for Johnson–Weld this November.” MTLP hit the parade route as well, with “This represents an electoral college at Creekside Conference Center in Gahan- Sidamon-Eristoff, a former city council- entries in the Heritage Day Parade in Ste- membership the Founding Father intend- na. Delegates attended a central committee man for New York City in Manhattan, rep- vensville, Kalispell’s Fourth of July parade, ed,” Irving said. “Their design was not to meeting and heard several speakers. Brett resented some of the most reliably Demo- the Kalispell Fair parade, and the Ravalli have the president and vice president cho- Bittner, executive director of Advocates for cratic voters in the country, but he won and County Fair parade. At the time of this sen by popular vote, but by a small, delib- Self-Government, provided the keynote persevered for three terms, before joining writing, we are making plans to march in erative body of distinguished citizens.” speech at the luncheon, and later put on the Giuliani administration. As finance the University of Montana homecoming “I grew up in a very socially liberal his “second hat” to report on his duties as commissioner from 1999 to 2002, he earned parade in October. town, as the child of a very fiscally conser- Region 3 rep to the Libertarian National vative father,” said elector Keane Matthews Committee. Several members were rec- of Concord, a registered Republican. ognized with awards for their service to “As a result, I have always known that I the party over the past year, and Steven R. just didn’t fit into the two-party paradigm Linnabary received the third niche in the of American politics. After finding the party’s Hall of Liberty in recognition of his World’s Smallest Political Quiz, it became lifetime of service. obvious to me I was a libertarian. I’m hon- ored to serve as an elector for the Libertar- ian Party in North Carolina.” Another elector, Democrat Richard Want to help Karp of Fayetteville, said he’s glad “to do my small part in helping to free the Repub- spread the word? lic from the shackles [of] tyranny.” Libertarian elector Tom Howe attended the Libertarian National Convention that Visit LP Store.org nominated the Johnson–Weld ticket. LP Montana activists ready to march in the Independence Day parade in Kalispell “I voted for Gary Johnson at the Liber- LP Contact LP membership continues to grow Media Buzz THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY® National LP Membership Growth “Do you think that Gary Johnson, the Lib- 1444 Duke St. End-of-month totals ertarian candidate for president, should be Alexandria, VA 22314 included in the presidential debates this Phone: (202) 333-0008 year, or not?” Fax: (202) 333-0072 25000 19,304 Likely voters: Yes: 62%; No: 29%; Website: www.LP.org Don’t know / no answer: 9% 20000 STAFF Voters 18–34: Yes: 82%; No: 13%; Don’t know / no answer: 4% 15000 LP NATIONAL CHAIR — Quinnipiac Poll; 8/25 Nicholas Sarwark 10000 There’s ample reason to believe the Liber- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR tarian ticket will turn in the strongest gen- Wes Benedict eral election performance of any third party 5000 Political DIRECTOR in decades. Carla Howell — CBS News; 6/15 0 Operations Director Jan Feb March April May June Jul Aug This Libertarian [presidential] ticket has the Robert Kraus potential to transform this race from one about insults and scandals to one about is- Candidate and Affiliate Want to help the Libertarian sues and honor. Support Specialist Bob Johnston Party and our candidates? — Winston-Salem Journal; 9/11 Member Services People are so obviously shopping and Casey Hansen wishing for some other choice. Here are 10 things you can do. — , two-term governor Special projects 1. Promote the LP and Libertarian candidates with door hangers, yard signs, bumper of Indiana and member of the Nick Dunbar Commission on Presidential Debates, stickers, T-shirts or buttons: LPStore.org IndyStar/USA Today; 9/8 ASSISTANT EDITOR 2. Support local Libertarian candidates on Election Day. Find the ones nearest you: Elizabeth C. Brierly LP.org/2016-libertarian-party-candidates We are enthusiastic about [Johnson’s] par- ticipation in the debates. He has qualified State Affiliate Development 3. Share on social media: Like our Facebook page and post blog entries at LP.org, then for the ballot in all 50 states, which should Specialist repost them on your wall: LP.org/social-networks Andy Burns count for something. The Commission on 4. Sign up for LP e-mail announcements: LP.org/signup Presidential Debates is really the Commis- Special Projects 5. Call in to your favorite radio talk show and urge listeners to vote for LP candidates. sion on Democratic-Republican Debates, Lauren Daugherty 6. Donate to the Libertarian Party: LP.org/contribute intent on maintaining the two-party duopoly. 7. Sign up to volunteer. Your name will be passed on to your state affiliate when you Contact info for state affiliates: Even a losing candidate can accumu- sign up at: LP.org/volunteer www.LP.org/states late impressive vote totals and thereby af- 8. Sign up to help the Gary Johnson campaign: JohnsonWeld.com/volunteer fect the political landscape. Contact info for Libertarian 9. Make your own fliers or handout cards and give them out everywhere you go. —Washington Post; 9/13 National Committee: 10. Write letters to the editor promoting LP candidates. Search “to the editor” and “Gary [Johnson] proposes “a 20 percent reduc- www.LP.org/lnc-leadership Johnson” at News.Google.com/news for ideas and examples. tion in federal spending. To do that, you’ve got to include Medicaid, , military Bombach in Baltimore more deals that sell out our communities,” spending.” That’s responsible budgeting. ...continued from page 7 Want even promises Bombach. Johnson and Weld are much better ing, digitizing, and automating the city’s fi- The race is anything but easy for the icon- than Clinton or Trump. They favor free trade, work visas for migrant workers, and more frequent nancial management system. oclastic Libertarian. His opponent, well con- nected and entrenched Democrat Joan Pratt, entrepreneurial innovation. The future, Baltimore’s third-ranked official, the comp- Johnson says, is “Uber everything — get updates from troller serves as the city’s fiscal watchdog, con- has been Baltimore’s comptroller since 1995. government out of the way.” With a war chest exceeding $200,000, she is LP Headquarters? ducting audits, managing city real estate, and — John Stossel on ; 8/24 operating the municipal telephone and mail a strong favorite to win the race. Republicans are sitting out the race, leaving “The American people want to hear the Become a monthly pledger delivery systems. He also sits on two impor- voices of Governors Gary Johnson and Bill tant panels: the Board of Estimates, which Bombach in a two-way race. He is not intimi- Weld in the debates this fall — in a recent and receive Liberty Pledge. oversees all spending above $25,000, and the dated by Pratt’s dominance and he believes his USA Today poll, 76 percent of voters said Board of Finance, which supervises city debt. rejection of the city’s “business as usual” will they deserve a spot on the stage. I com- Your monthly contributions Bombach is highly critical of the Board ultimately win him votes in November. pletely agree,” the former California gov- will be used to grow the of Estimates, which he says awards con- “Jon Bombach is not here to join the ernor wrote on his Facebook page Friday. tracts to politically connected individuals party,” he asserts. “He’s here to fix the fi- — The Hill, quoting Arnold Libertarian Party and and entities. He cites the case, One Harbor nancial mess Baltimore faces.” Schwarzenegger; 9/9 On Aug. 31, What Weekly, a grassroots make it stronger. East Development, valued at $155 million, “I hope voters get to see former GOP Gov- which has received from the board a sweet- news portal that promotes the Baltimore ernors Gary Johnson and Bill Weld on the heart deal allowing it to pay $1 per year in Renaissance, ran an in-depth feature story debate stages this fall.” Visit LP.org/contribute to on Bombach and his campaign. • lieu of property taxes, for 25 years. — Mitt Romney, 2012 Republican make your pledge today! “As your public servant, I promise the Campaign website: presidential nominee, former Mass. Board of Estimates will stop accepting any BombachForBaltimore.com governor

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