Libertarian Party of Michigan

The Libertarian Party of Michigan is a Michigan state political party advocating a libertarian ideology and the state affiliate of the Libertarian Party of the United States. The party gained primary ballot access status in 2016 because of the vote total of presidential nominee Gary Johnson. The party lost their status since their 2018 gubernatorial nominee Bill Gelineau failed to reach that threshold in the general election.

Libertarian Party of Michigan
ChairGregory Stempfle[1]
Vice ChairsBen Boren and Jamie Lewis
SecretaryWendi Parker
TreasurerNorman Peterson
Founded1972
HeadquartersLansing, MI
IdeologyLibertarianism
Colors  Gold
Michigan House of Representatives
0 / 110
Michigan Senate
0 / 38
Statewide Executive Offices
0 / 4
U.S. House of Representatives
0 / 14
U.S. Senate
0 / 2
Website
michiganlp.org

Several Libertarians have held public office in Michigan, most at the local level.[2] The party is a member of the Michigan Third Parties Coalition which advocates changes in Michigan's election laws.[3]

History

Libertarian Party of Michigan was founded in 1972. In the mid-1990s, the party had 1,500 dues paying members. The party was down to 800 such members in 2004. The party had a candidate in every congressional race in 2000 but failed to repeat in 2002. For 2004, the party had candidates in all 15 congressional races and 21 state House races[4] in 2007, the party joined with the existing third parties to form Michigan Third Parties Coalition lobbying group.[3]

In 2016, Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson won 172,136 votes in Michigan, qualifying the state party for a primary election in 2018. The only contested election on its primary ballot is for governor with Grand Rapids businessman Bill Gelineau and retired teacher John Tatar.[5]

In April 2020, U.S. Representative Justin Amash of Michigan's 3rd District joined the Libertarians, becoming the first and so far only member of Congress or federal official representing the party from any state, after leaving the Republican Party in 2019 and spending many months as an independent.[6] He declined to seek reelection under his new affiliation and retired from Congress in 2021.

Libertarians in public office

Elected libertarians currently in public office

Libertarians elected under a different party affiliation

Former elected libertarians
  • Rev. James W. Clifton City Councilman from the town of Addison; became the first Michigan Libertarian to win public office[11]
  • Bill Bradley — South Haven City Councilman[12]
  • David Eisenbacher — Troy City Councilman[13] to office.[14][15][16]
  • Lawrence W. Johnson — Ypsilanti Township Park Commissioner (elected in 2008 on a partisan ballot)[17]
  • Erin Stahl — Mayor Pro Tem [18][19] of St. Clair Shores,
  • Fred Collins — Councilman for the City of Berkley, Michigan [20][21][22][23] from 1997 until he gave up his position to run for Mayor in 2005, and lost the election.[24]
  • Mark Byrne — Port Huron Councilman,[25] who is now active with the Unifour Area Libertarian Party in North Carolina.
  • Tom Bagwell — Ypsilanti Township Park Commissioner (elected in 2008 on a partisan ballot)[17]

Libertarians appointed to public office
  • Lloyd Sherman (died December 25, 2006) — Hazel Park Brownfield Authority, Hazel Park Facilities and Infrastructure Citizens Advisory Board, Hazel Park Fence Review Board, Hazel Park Zoning Board of Appeals, Hazel Park General Building Authority.[2]
  • Will Tyler White — Vice-Chair, Meridian Charter Township Economic Development Corporation<[26]
  • Mike Saliba— Clinton Township Historical Commission[27]

See also
  •  Libertarianism portal

References
  1. "Leadership". Libertarian Party of Michigan. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  2. Michalak, John (December 27, 2006). "A Friend to Hazel Park Loses Battle With Lymphoma". Daily Tribune.
  3. Winger, Richard (July 3, 2007). "Michigan Minor Parties Form Lobbying Coalition". Ballot Access News. Richard Winger. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  4. "Libertarians Going in with Large Slate, Low Expectations". The Macomb Daily. Associated Press. October 22, 2004. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
  5. Gibbons, Lauren (July 18, 2018). "First-ever primary ballot puts Michigan Libertarian Party in uncharted territory". Mlive Michigan. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  6. "Justin Amash Becomes the First Libertarian Member of Congress". Reason. April 29, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  7. Hazel Park City Government. "Elected Officials". Hazel Park City Government.
  8. City of Kentwood. "2nd Ward Commissioner Erwin Haas". City of Kentwood.
    Haas, Erwin. "Erwin Haas Libertarian".
  9. Winger, Richard (November 21, 2016). "Three Parties Win Seats on Ypsilanti Township Park Commission Board". Ballot Access News.
  10. "Elected Officials". Libertarian Party of Michigan.
    "Glen Oaks Board of Trustees". Glen Oaks Community College.
  11. "Michigan Elects First Libertarian!". Michigan Libertarian. May–June 1988. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  12. South Haven City Government. "City Council Members". South Haven City Government.
  13. Oparka, Terry (November 7, 2007). "Troy Incumbents Prevail — The Slate Does Not". C & G newspapers.
  14. Michalak, John (March 29, 2005). "Troy Eyes Prayer Policy". Daily Tribune.
  15. Eisenbacher, David. "eisenbacher.org".
  16. Dirasian, Greg (April 2, 2002). "Eisenbacher Wins!!!". LPM Online.
  17. Hall, Bill (November 27, 2008). "Libertarian Party of Michigan November Election Highlights". Independent Political Report.
  18. Stahl, Erin. "Erin Stahl for St. Clair Shores City Council".
  19. St. Clair Shores City Government. "St. Clair Shores City Council". St. Clair Shores City Government.
  20. Libertarian Party National Committee, "Our History" Archived January 30, 2006, at the Wayback Machine. "lp.org" (website)
  21. Libertarian Party of Virginia. "59 Libertarians elected to local office in nine states". Libertarian Party of Virginia.
  22. Hunter, Melanie (2004). "Libertarian, Green, Independent Party Candidates Hold Debate in NYC". CNSNews.com.
  23. Thirtieth Council of the City of Berkley. "The Thirty-Fourth Meeting of the Thirtieth Council of the City of Berkley" (PDF). Thirtieth Council of the City of Berkley.
  24. Berkley City Government. "2005 Election Results". Berkley City Government.
  25. Murphy, Shannon (November 7, 2007). "A Vote for Change: Former Police Captain Earns Most Votes in Council Race". Times Herald.
  26. Meridian Township Board. "Charter Township of Meridian Township Board Regular Meeting Meridian Township Board".
  27. "Clinton Township Historical Commission". www.ctwphc.org. Retrieved August 10, 2017.

Notes
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