Libertarian Party of North Carolina

The Libertarian Party of North Carolina (LPNC) is the North Carolina affiliate of the Libertarian Party.

Libertarian Party of North Carolina
ChairpersonBrent DeRidder[1]
Senate leaderNone
House leaderNone
Founded1975
HeadquartersRaleigh
IdeologyLibertarianism
Classical liberalism
National affiliationLibertarian Party (United States)
Colors  Gold
Website
www.lpnc.org

History

The Libertarian Party of North Carolina first appeared on the ballot in 1976, with Carl Wagle of Greensboro NC as candidate for the Fifth Congressional District, and Dr. Arlan Andrews, Sr., of Greensboro, as the gubernatorial nominee. The party has been on the ballot in NC for every presidential and gubernatorial election since, except 1988. The party had been on the NC ballot continuously from 1996–2004. In that period alone, the LPNC placed over 300 candidates on the ballot for every office from President of the United States to county soil and water district supervisor.

LPNC currently has elected members on three city councils, five soil and water district boards, and in the office of Harnett County Surveyor. About a dozen Libertarians currently sit on various appointed city and county boards across NC.

Organization

Members of the executive committee are elected biannually at conventions to carry out the essential functions of a political party.[2]

  • State Chair - Brent DeRidder (Pender County)
  • Vice Chair - Joseph Garcia (Orange County)
  • Treasurer - Barbara Howe (Granville County)
  • Secretary - D. Reid Deal (Davidson County)
  • Members at Large:
    • Christopher "Dooley" Cash (Cabarrus County)
    • Matthew Clements (Orange County)
    • Jonathan Hopper (Rockingham County)
    • Timothy Conard (Mecklenburg County)

The party also maintains active local organizations in over two dozen counties and on half a dozen college campuses. LPNC may also be the only party in U.S. history that had an Indian Nation as an active local affiliate, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.[3]

Party platform

The most recent platform of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina was adopted on April 23rd, 2016. [4]

ABC and the North Carolina Education Lottery

The party calls for the state to exit the alcohol distribution business and the end of ABC, the party would also end the North Carolina Education Lottery and would see both replaced by private initiatives.

Death penalty

The party opposes the death penalty.

Drug policy

While not advocating the use of drugs, the party supports the legalization of recreational drugs and the pardoning of all individuals convicted solely of non-violent drug-related charges. The LPNC views enforcement of current drug policies as harmful to society, and to that end calls for an immediate end to the war on drugs.

Education

The party supports school choice and calls for fewer regulations on homeschooling and private schools.

Electoral reform

The party supports the right of any "constitutionally qualified person" to be present on the ballot without any kind of interference from the state. The LPNC calls for redistricting efforts to be handled by a nonpartisan board with "significant" public input. The Libertarian Party of North Carolina has partnered with the Green Party of North Carolina to sue both the Federal Election Commission and the State of North Carolina in efforts to improve access to debates and elections. [5]

Free association

The party supports the rights of individuals and private enterprises to associate or not associate with others as they see fit.

Gun rights

The party supports the right of every individual to carry a firearm for self-defense without registration or government interference.

Healthcare

Calls for the government to exit healthcare.

Immigration

The LPNC supports immigration rights, and does not believe that the State of North Carolina should cooperate or assist federal government officials in the enforcement of federal laws which "infringe on the liberty of travel, residence, and employment, such as immigration and emigration laws, mandatory identification papers, and work permits".

Marriage and domestic partnerships

The Libertarian Party of North Carolina calls for the immediate repeal of all laws that encourage or discourage any consensual sexual or family relationships, and views marriage as an issue that should be handled by religious institutions or private contracts as opposed to the state.

Occupational licensing

The party supports the abolition of occupational licensing requirements.

Privacy and cryptography

The party opposes any attempts by the government to collect data on individuals outside of the areas where it is constitutionally required. The LPNC maintains that the privacy, safety, and security provided to an individual by cryptography should not be "encumbered, limited, or weakened" by the state.

Zoning

The Libertarian Party of North Carolina calls for the repeal of all zoning ordinances.

Recent Election Results

2014 elections

Two candidates ran for the party's nomination for the United States Senate in 2014. They were Sean Haugh and Tim D'Annunzio.[6] Haugh won the primary with 1,226 votes compared to D'Annunzio's 794.[7] He faced Thom Tillis and Kay Hagan the general election on November 4, 2014 and received 3.74% of the vote.[8]

Additionally, the following individuals appeared on the November 2014 General Election ballot:[9]

None were elected.

2013 elections

The following individuals were on the ballot for the November 2013 general election:[15]

None were elected.

2012 elections

In 2012, the state convention was held March 23–25 at the Hilton Garden Inn in RTP.[16]

In North Carolina, voters in the Libertarian Presidential primary in May 2012 had a choice between seven candidates[17] including:

Additionally, for November 2012, twelve candidates ran for the NC Legislature, Governor or US House.[17]

  • Darryl Holloman - US House District 1
  • Brian Irving - US House District 2
  • Curtis Campbell - US House District 9
  • Barbara Howe - NC Governor
  • Brandon Black - NC State Senate District 24
  • Richard Evey - NC State Senate District 46
  • Kevin Hayes - NC House of Representatives District 4
  • Wyatt Rike - NC House of Representatives District 13
  • Jesse Shearin - NC House of Representatives District 27
  • Ronald Reale - NC House of Representatives District 40
  • Kent Wilsey - NC House of Representatives District 62
  • Lewis B Guignard Jr - NC House of Representatives District 110

Electoral history

In 1992, Libertarian candidate for Governor Scott Earle McLaughlin achieved 4.05 percent of the popular vote in a fully contested race, with 104,983 votes. This remains the highest percentage gained by a third party candidate for that office by any party in North Carolina since that year.

In the 2008 elections, Michael Munger running as the party's candidate for Governor of North Carolina, received 121,585 votes for 2.85% of the total vote.

Also in 2008, Chris Cole, running as the party's candidate for US Senate, received 133,430 votes for 3.12% of the total vote.

References
  1. http://www.lpnc.org/our-organization_county-affiliates
  2. https://www.lpnc.org/our-organization_executive-committee
  3. http://www.lpnc.org/history
  4. http://www.lpnc.org/our-principles_platform-of-the-libertarian-party-of-north-carolina
  5. http://www.lpnc.org/libertarians_greens_sue
  6. Niedzwiadek, Nick (6 April 2014). "N.C. Libertarians meet to discuss next primary candidates". The Daily Tarheel. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  7. "May 6, 2014 Official Primary Election Results". Raleigh, North Carolina: North Carolina State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  8. "11/04/2014 Official General Election Results - Statewide: US Senate". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  9. "Libertarian Party Candidates 2014". Alexandria, Virginia: Libertarian Party.
  10. "11/04/2014 Official General Election Results - Statewide: NC House of Representatives District 104". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  11. "11/04/2014 Official General Election Results - Statewide: US House of Representatives District 7". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  12. "11/04/2014 Official General Election Results - Statewide: NC State Senate District 25". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  13. "11/04/2014 Official General Election Results - Statewide: NC State House of Representatives District 59". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  14. "11/04/2014 Official General Election Results - Statewide: NC State House of Representatives District 117". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  15. "Libertarian Party Candidates 2013". Alexandria, Virginia: Libertarian Party.
  16. 2012 State Convention Archived 2012-02-28 at the Wayback Machine
  17. Registered Candidates Archived March 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
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