Libertarian Party to build on record increases in support at national convention

Libertarian voter registration up by 11 percent; several candidates with strong support in races for Senate, Congress, and governor

Even as Republicans and Democrats are suffering sharp declines in voters who identify with them, the Libertarian Party is gearing up for their biennial national convention to build on record growth in the last two years.

More than 500 Libertarians from all 50 states and around the world are convening in Columbus, Ohio, from Thursday, June 26, to Sunday, June 29, for the 2014 Libertarian Party National Convention.

"Libertarian Party voter registration in the United States has grown 11.4 percent since late 2012," said LP Political Director Carla Howell, citing research by national ballot access expert Richard Winger.

"Our members and candidates from across the country are excited to get together to network, to share success stories, and to continue building the only nationally organized political party that's growing," Howell said.

According to Winger, the most recent figures available from state governments show that there were 368,561 registered Libertarians in March 2014, compared to 330,811 in November 2012.

This measure of Libertarian Party growth only includes data from the 30 states (plus the District of Columbia) that allow voters to include a party affiliation with their voter registration.

Other races from around the country indicate that support for Libertarian candidates is increasing, even in hotly contested races with national implications.

Among the races to watch are:

• U.S. Senate, North Carolina: Libertarian Sean Haugh is polling at 11 percent in a tightly contested, much-watched race with Democrat Sen. Kay Hagan and Republican challenger Thom Tillis. (Source: Public Policy Polling.)
• U.S. House, FL-13: Libertarian Lucas Overby is polling at 31 percent in a two-candidate race with incumbent Republican David Jolly, who is polling at 47 percent. (Source: SaintPetersBlog.)
• U.S. House, FL-19: In a special election slated for June 24, in which 41 percent of voters report being undecided, Libertarian Ray Netherwood is polling at 13 percent, ahead of the Democrat, who is polling at 12 percent. The Republican is polling at 26 percent. (Source: Vote USA.)
• Florida Governor: Libertarian Adrian Wyllie is polling at 4 percent in a race with incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democrat Charlie Crist. But with Florida's all-important independent voting bloc, Wyllie is polling at 10 percent. (Source: Daily Beast.)
• U.S. House, AK-1: Libertarian Jim McDermott is polling at 12 percent in a race for Alaska's only House seat with incumbent Republican Don Young (50 percent) and Democrat Matt Moore (22 percent). (Source: Public Policy Polling.)
• Georgia Governor: Libertarian Andrew Hunt, a nanotechnologist, is polling at 9 percent. (Source: Daily Beast.)

Delegates at the four-day event will help shape the direction of the Libertarian Party by electing members of the Libertarian National Committee and by considering changes to the LP's platform and bylaws.

Character Matters

Libertarian Party National Convention - Columbus, Ohio - June 26-29, 2014

Welcome! — New speakers and entertainers confirmed … so much to DO, SEE and HEAR!

The 2014 Libertarian Party National Convention is fast approaching and will take place over the last weekend of June at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus, Ohio. This location is geographically located within a day’s drive for many of you, so you could make it a road trip!

The theme of this convention is CHARACTER Matters. I was inspired by a little book by Lawrence W. Reed titled, Are We Good Enough for Liberty? As Larry writes, “Without character, a free society is not just unlikely … it’s impossible.” While the D’s and R’s lie and steal, we L’s must take the high ground, even though it may not be the politically expedient way. This is why I have invited Reed to be our Keynote speaker on Friday morning to inspire us and set the tone of the weekend.

The convention will officially kick off with the “Welcome” Reception on Thursday evening, June 26, with snacks/light hors d’oeuvres (not intended as “dinner”) and a cash bar. This is a chance to mingle and network. The fantastic entertainment portion of the event will likely happen from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and will feature professional comedian Joe DeVito and singer Tatiana Moroz — you won’t want to miss it!

There will be Breakfasts and Lunches on Friday and Saturday. You will want to get up early to hear Vera Kichanova (all the way from Moscow) and Melyssa Hubbard! (Buy the Gold package.) And the Lunch speakers, Jeffrey Tucker and Mark Skousen, are not to be missed. On Saturday night, dress up (not mandatory) for cocktail hour followed by the fabulous Grand Banquet featuring Kmele Foster (of “The Independents”) and Ben Swann, with appearances by our 2012 presidential team, plus “Ben Franklin” and beautiful arias by The Red Diva — Ohio’s own Elizabeth Gentner.

The Business Sessions will begin Friday morning (right after the Keynote) and run throughout the day on Friday and Saturday thru Sunday afternoon. (A preliminary business agenda is posted on the Delegates page.) Floor access to these are for credentialed delegates only, and there is a balcony for observers.

Concurrent with the Business Sessions is a track of Breakouts, where you will hear more great speakers on a wide variety of topics, including many first-timers to an LP Convention. Let’s give them a warm welcome!

Various awards will be presented throughout the weekend. There will be hosted receptions (some invitation-only, some open to all). Vendors will be assembled in common areas to add to the excitement.

Don’t forget that you do not have to be a delegate to attend this convention! Think of it as a conference built around the requisite biennial LP business, and the opportunity to gather together to hear great speakers and network with other freedom lovers!

Old-timers and newcomers are welcome. Register today to be a part of this great event! I look forward to seeing you there.

In Liberty,

In addition to the OAI event on Friday night, there will be many other events that are not part of the “official” convention program. Other groups might host an event or a hospitality suite.