| Libertarian Party of Indiana | |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Sam Goldstein |
| Founded | July 14, 1974 |
| Headquarters | 156 E. Market Street Suite #405 Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 920-1994 lpinhq@lpin.org |
| Ideology | Libertarianism |
| National affiliation | Libertarian Party (United States) |
| Official colors | a shade of Dark Blue; Gold1 |
| Website | |
| www.lpin.org | |
| Politics of the United States Political parties Elections |
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The Libertarian Party of Indiana is the Indiana affiliate of the Libertarian Party. The Libertarian Party of Indiana has continually earned ballot access since 1994. In 2008 the Libertarian presidential ticket of Bob Barr and Wayne Allyn Root had their strongest showing in Indiana receiving 1.1% of the vote (19,243 votes) [1]. On February 17, 2009 Indianapolis city councilmember Edward Coleman publicly announced that he had left the Republican Party and joined the Libertarian Party [2] [3]. Coleman now is the highest-ranking Libertarian public official in the state, and one of the top (if not highest) ranking Libertarians holding elective office in the United States. The party's best finish in a statewide race came in 2006 when US Senate candidate Steve Osborn received 13% of the vote. Osborn had the best result for a third party candidate running for the Senate in the 2006 elections.
The founding meeting of the Libertarian Party of Indiana was held on July 14, 1974 at the Holiday Inn at Weir Cook Airport (now called the Indianapolis International Airport). Approximately 20-25 people attended including Paul Hyatt, Tom Duncan, Marvin Lazaro, Brian Bernstein, Dick Smith, Steve Butterbaugh and Charlie Reisert. Reisert made the motion to start the Libertarian Party of Indiana. The first headquarters was located at 1430 N. Capitol Avenue in Indianapolis. The LPIN became a minor political party in 1994 after achieving ballot access when Steve Dillon received more than 2% of the vote running for Secretary of State.
The Libertarian Party of Indiana is the only party other than the Democrats and Republicans with ballot access in Indiana. Hoosier Libertarians have continually earned ballot access since 1994. Other parties have tried - and failed, to gain ballot access. Hoosier Libertarians advocate smaller government while defending civil liberties. In the last decade, Hoosier Libertarians came to the defense of eminent domain victims, marched in opposition to property tax laws, fought for reduced small business licensing and pursued fairness and transparency in our elections. Indiana Libertarians lobbied dozens of city and town councils across Indiana to allow property owners to make the decision on smoking on their property.
Contents |
State Central Committee
Staff
Libertarian National Committee Representative
Elected Indiana Libertarian Officeholders [4] with 2007 results [5]
1. Susan Bell, Town Judge, Hagerstown, Term Ends 12/31/11
2. Conley Tillson, Clay Township Advisory Board, Wayne County, Term Ends 12/31/10
3. Steve Coffman, Liberty Township Advisory Board, Henry County, Term Ends 12/31/10
4. Michael Sloan, Town Council, Pottawattamie Park, Term Ends 12/31/11
5. Ed Coleman, Indianapolis City-County Council At-Large, Term Ends 12/31/11
Awards are presented at the LPIN Convention each year. With the exception of one award, all winners are granted their award by a vote of the LPIN membership.
Dr. Barbara Bourland Light of Liberty Award: The recipient is honored as the person most responsible for the growth of the party and dedication to the libertarian cause.
Past winners include:
Susan Bell Officeholder of the Year Award: Awarded to a current elected officeholder of the Libertarian Party that best promotes libertarian principles and values through public service.
Ken Bisson Outreach Award: Awarded to a party member who has strived to spread the message of libertarian principles to as many potential voters as is possible.
Joe Hauptmann Campaign Leadership Award: Awarded to a campaign volunteer who has worked above and beyond in an extraordinary fashion, and has significantly contributed to the success of a campaign.
Phil Miller Candidate of the Year: Awarded to a Libertarian Candidate that has shown an extraordinary ability to reach and connect with voters, as well as further the cause of libertarianism.
Steve Dasbach Chairman's Award for Extraordinary Service: Awarded to an individual that has helped grow the Libertarian Party of Indiana in extraordinary ways over many years. This award is not voted on by LPIN membership, and it is the sole privilege of the Chair of the LPIN to award it to the recipient.