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Michigan Elects Local Libertarian Candidates as Unofficial Ballot Counting Wraps Up
By Greg Stempfle
Michigan Libertarian Donna Gundle-Kreig Defeated a Democrat and won an election.
The Libertarian Party of Michigan ran 60 candidates for Federal, State, and local public office in this unusual election season marked by a global pandemic, a large percentage of absentee votes, and a hyper partisan political climate.
Libertarian Presidential Candidate Jo Jorgensen came in third place with 60,286 votes, or 1.09%. While this is less than a third of Gary Johnson's record 3.59% of the vote in 2016, it was still the second best showing in party history.
Michigan Libertarian Defeats a Democrat
In Antrim County, Donna Gundle-Krieg was one of two candidates elected to the Mancelona Township Board of Trustees. Gundle-Krieg, owner of a well known real estate agency, came in second place by defeating a Democrat by just under 100 votes. Donna became only the second Libertarian in Michigan, and first since 1988, to be elected to office by defeating a major party opponent.
Richard E. Riekse Muskegon County Commissioner-Elect.
In Fruitport Township, Richard Riekse was one of three candidates elected to the Township Parks Commission. Richard, along with a Democrat and Republican will serve on the commission.
In Detroit, Scotty Boman was elected to the 4th District Detroit Community Advisory Council. Boman, a community college professor, helped to create this commission via petition gathering in 2019. A second Libertarian, Gregory Creswell, filed as a write in candidate and is expected to be elected after the results are certified.
The nine Libertarian candidates for US Congress averaged 1.68% or 6,644 votes. The best showing was Jeff DePoy running in District 6 who received 2.75% (10,396 votes). The nine Libertarian candidates for State House averaged 1.91% or 963 votes. The best showing was Norm Peterson running in District 64 who received 2.61% (1,071 votes). The six Libertarian candidates running for the various statewide education boards averaged 1.14% or 112,699 votes. The best showing was Jon Elgas running for Wayne State Board of Governors who received 1.30% (125,792 votes).
For Michigan Supreme Court the Libertarian Party nominated two candidates who appear on the ballot as nonpartisan. Kerry Morgan received 339,195 votes (4.61%) and Katherine Nepton received 289,844 votes (3.94%).
A Worthy top vote getter
The top vote Libertarian vote getter in a partisan race was Dan Ziemba who received 125,944 votes for Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney in a two way race against Democrat Kym Worthy. This is the best showing for a countywide candidate in party history. It's also the first time the top Libertarian vote getter was not a statewide candidate. Ziemba currently has 152 votes more than Jon Elgas received for WSU Board of Governors.
Ziemba's result will create an unusual election law interpretation for the Bureau of Elections. Retaining ballot status is based on the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes for that party in the preceding election. The top vote getting has always been a statewide candidate and county results are not even reported to the state. Will the Bureau report that the retention of the LPM ballot status is based on Elgas or Ziemba's vote?
Two Libertarians Elected to Detroit Community Advisory Council
By Donna Gundle-Krieg
Libertarian activists Scotty Boman and Gregory Creswell were both elected on November 3rd as members of the newly formed Detroit Elected Community Advisory Council-members, Scotty Boman and Gregory Creswell.
District 4 Community Advisory Council (CAC).
The CAC is a group created after Boman collected 1,570 signatures in 2019. Boman worked with District 4 Councilman Andrew Spivey to file the petitions.
District 4 is the second of Detroit's seven districts to establish a CAC. The 7th District was previously the only district in Detroit to have a CAC.
What is this elected body?
According to the Detroit City Charter, "The purpose of these Councils is to improve citizen access to city government." The Charter also outlines that "The City Council member elected from the non at-large district in which a Community Advisory Council resides, or their designee, shall attend all official meetings of that Community Advisory Council."
Each district's CAC is composed of two appointed and five elected members. While the office is non-partisan, both Boman and Creswell are very active in the Libertarian party of Michigan, and the outspoken Boman was endorsed by the Party at its state convention. In 2017 Creswell was a Libertarian candidate for District 1 State Representative. He was also the 2006 candidate for governor, and has served as the Libertarian Party of Michigan's Vice-Chair.
The third member elected to the 4th District Community Advisory Council is Washington Youson, a Democrat who also ran in 2017 for District 1 State Representative.
The two appointed members will be filled by 4th District Councilman Andre Spivey.
Once the board is fully formed, the five board members will conduct a search for two well-qualified representatives. One will serve as a representative for senior citizen's issues and the second person will be a Youth Representative. (The CAC is the only body in Detroit government to have a voting member under 18!)
Spivey will choose the Senior Citizen Representative and the Youth Representatives from the list provided by the Council.
Voluntarily funded
Boman said he has encountered objections in 2019 when circulating the petition to create the CAC, but those were largely based on misunderstandings.
Some people were concerned that creating an organization with seven office holders would strain the city's limited budget at a time when many retirees continue to suffer from lost benefits in the wake Detroit's bankruptcy,
he said.
I wouldn't have undertaken this effort if it would add an additional burden on taxpayers. The Charter is clear on this, as it states: 'Community Advisory Councils shall receive no appropriations from city funds, but may accept donations or grants in accordance with state, federal or local law.'
LPM Membership gathered at Convention. Photo by Jesse Mears
As I conclude this year as Chair of the Membership Committee, I am pleased to report that the Libertarian Party of Michigan was able to increase Membership by 63%. This as we presently stand (as of November 4) at 304 active Members vs 187 at the end of 2019. This increase is no doubt due to the persuasive recruiting efforts of Members and Regional Affiliates. Additionally, the national Libertarian Party membership from Michigan residents has increased 45% from November 2019 to August 2020. We also have over 500 new Contacts identified since January 1. These are folks that have requested info, or joined the Libertarian Party of Michigan, via the LPM website.
Our membership grows while their's shrinks
The D's and R's are declining in Membership while we are experiencing dramatic growth at both the State and National level. So the future is bright for our Party! Our Party is the only political party seriously challenging the duopoly. I appreciate your commitment of time, talent, and treasure to this endeavor, despite significant hurdles placed before us, especially in 2020. Need I say more?
The next step, of course, is to continue the momentum and build Membership, identify Candidates for the next election cycle, and most importantly, build LP awareness for the independent voter to align with us. To this end, the national Libertarian Party has consolidated all LP Members, Volunteers, and general contacts in a database entitled CiviCRM. It is accessible to State and Affiliate Leaders. This database is a powerful tool which will enable targeted communication and coordination of local and State LP events, media posts, volunteer activities, canvassing, candidate recruitment and fund-raising. Our intent, at the State level for 2021, is to improve local interaction among LP Members by training Affiliate and State Leaders in use of CiviCRM as an outreach tool. Please look for emails in the near future about gaining access and training in CiviCRM to keep the progress going!
LPWC Hosts the Only Wayne County Commissioner Candidate Forum
By Scotty Boman, LPWC Chair
Wayne County Commissioner candidate forum.Wayne County, MI - On October 26th The Libertarian Party of Wayne County (LPWC) hosted the only candidate forum for Wayne County Commissioner candidates.
Brandon Brice, host of the 910 AM Superstation show, "Straight Talk." moderated the the forum. The LPWC used the Zoom platform to host the virtual event.
The Libertarian Party of Wayne County invited all Wayne County Commission candidates. They were assured that even though the affiliate was an overtly partisan organization, it promised to be balanced, with no bias toward any candidate or party. The LPWC members decided to host a multi-partisan forum because no non-partisan group stepped up to do it. Also, all participating candidates agreed that informed voters were essential to a functional democratically elected republic.
Many questions came from members of the community with follow-up by the moderator.
The nine Wayne County Commissioner candidates who attended were:
Tim Killeen. Democrat District 1 incumbent
James Cole. Green District 2 challenger
Loel Robert Gnadt. Libertarian District 4 challenger
Monique Baker McCormick. Democrat District 6 incumbent
Marc Joseph Sosnowski. United States Taxpayer (Michigan affiliate of the national Constitution Party) District 8 challenger
For reasons that require no repetition, the regular meeting venues of some affiliates will be closed. Please contact local affiliate officers to learn how to get involved in their meetings.
Some events are also posted by their hosts at the Meetup.com
site. The Michigan Libertarian recommends contacting an affiliate officer or
check the Website (or Facebook page) associated with the meeting host (if they have
one) before arriving at a meeting. Some meetings can get canceled, or
locations can change with short notice. Contact information connected to
most events can be found by expanding the item on the "Agenda view" of
the Events page of our website.
Novenber 11, 2020 - Libertarians of Macomb County Affiliate Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Ike's Restaurant. 38550 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights, MI 48312.
FYI, LMC in addition to is meeting in place at Ike's the actual business will be conducted via videoconference. https://meet.jit.si/LMC
For more information, contact Mike Saliba at macomblp@gmail.com
Novenber 11, 2020 - Libertarian Party of Wayne County Affiliate Meeting. Order dinner at 6:30 PM. Business 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Leon's Family Dining. 23830 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, Michigan, 48124.
For more information, contact Scotty Boman at (313) 247-2052 or email ScottyBoman@hotmail.com
Novenber 15, 2019 - Capital Area Affiliate Meeting 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
CALP monthly business meeting, to be held over Discord teleconfelerence app.
or in person at Renos North - 460 S. US Highway 27. Lansing, MI
Contact Luke Sciberras at 248-302-1064 or email lpsciberras@gmail.com for event details and instructions to join. Times and locations of business meetings may very from month to month.
Novenber 18, 2020 - Jackson-Hillsdale Libertarian Party Affiliate Meeting, 6:00 PM.
Zoom video conference: Event Facebook Post or Steves'Ranch Family Resturant. 311 Louis Glick Hwy. Jackson, MI 49201. Call ahead to verify that they are open and expecting a JHLP meeting (517) 787 - 4367.
For more information, contact Norman Peterson. norman.peterson@comcast.nethttps://www.jhlp.org
Novenber 18, 2020 - The Libertarian Party of Oakland County Affiliate Meeting, Dinner at 6:30 PM, meeting at 7:30 PM.
Farmhouse Coffee and Ice Cream. 29936 W 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48334.
More information posted at lpocmi.org Details subject to change
For more information contact Connor Nepomuceno, Cjnepo1@gmail.com or Vice Chair Ben Carr at 248-919-8152
December 2, 2020 - Huron-Raisin Affiliate Meeting, 7:00 PM
Aubree's Pizzeria & Grill. 39 E Cross St, Ypsilanti, MI 48198
For more information, contact Larry Johnson at 734-475-9792 or email michlibertarian@gmail.com or call (734) 320-7237
December 3, 2020 - Livingston County Monthly Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Cleary Pub. 117 E Grand River, Howell, MI, 48843
For more information, contact James Weeks II at 810.422.8769 or email jamestweeks@outlook.com.
Copyright 2019 Libertarian Party of Michigan, All rights reserved.
The Michigan Libertarian is a publication of the Libertarian Party of Michigan
Libertarian Party of Michigan: PO Box 27065, Lansing, MI 48909; Phone:
888.FREE.NOW. The Libertarian Party of Michigan website is paid for with
regulated funds by the Libertarian Party of Michigan Executive
Committee, Inc. d/b/a the Libertarian Party of Michigan. Not authorized
by any candidate.
Upcoming Events
For reasons that require no repetition, the regular meeting venues of some affiliates will be closed. Please contact local affiliate officers to learn how to get involved in their meetings.Some events are also posted by their hosts at the Meetup.com site. The Michigan Libertarian recommends contacting an affiliate officer or check the Website (or Facebook page) associated with the meeting host (if they have one) before arriving at a meeting. Some meetings can get canceled, or locations can change with short notice. Contact information connected to most events can be found by expanding the item on the "Agenda view" of the Events page of our website.
Novenber 11, 2020 - Libertarians of Macomb County Affiliate Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Ike's Restaurant. 38550 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights, MI 48312.
FYI, LMC in addition to is meeting in place at Ike's the actual business will be conducted via videoconference. https://meet.jit.si/LMC
For more information, contact Mike Saliba at macomblp@gmail.com
Novenber 11, 2020 - Libertarian Party of Wayne County Affiliate Meeting. Order dinner at 6:30 PM. Business 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Leon's Family Dining. 23830 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, Michigan, 48124.
For more information, contact Scotty Boman at (313) 247-2052 or email ScottyBoman@hotmail.com
Novenber 15, 2019 - Capital Area Affiliate Meeting 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
CALP monthly business meeting, to be held over Discord teleconfelerence app.
or in person at Renos North - 460 S. US Highway 27. Lansing, MI
Contact Luke Sciberras at 248-302-1064 or email lpsciberras@gmail.com for event details and instructions to join.
Times and locations of business meetings may very from month to month.
Novenber 18, 2020 - Jackson-Hillsdale Libertarian Party Affiliate Meeting, 6:00 PM.
Zoom video conference: Event Facebook Post or Steves'Ranch Family Resturant. 311 Louis Glick Hwy. Jackson, MI 49201. Call ahead to verify that they are open and expecting a JHLP meeting (517) 787 - 4367.
For more information, contact Norman Peterson. norman.peterson@comcast.net https://www.jhlp.org
Novenber 18, 2020 - The Libertarian Party of Oakland County Affiliate Meeting, Dinner at 6:30 PM, meeting at 7:30 PM.
Farmhouse Coffee and Ice Cream. 29936 W 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48334.
More information posted at lpocmi.org Details subject to change
For more information contact Connor Nepomuceno, Cjnepo1@gmail.com or Vice Chair Ben Carr at 248-919-8152
December 2, 2020 - Huron-Raisin Affiliate Meeting, 7:00 PM
Aubree's Pizzeria & Grill. 39 E Cross St, Ypsilanti, MI 48198
For more information, contact Larry Johnson at 734-475-9792 or email michlibertarian@gmail.com or call (734) 320-7237
December 3, 2020 - Livingston County Monthly Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cleary Pub. 117 E Grand River, Howell, MI, 48843
For more information, contact James Weeks II at 810.422.8769 or email jamestweeks@outlook.com.
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If you are new to the Michigan Libertarian, you can link to 2016 issues here, http://michiganlp.org/category/newsletters . Other issues are preserved in our historical archives here: http://old.michiganlp.org/resources-2/newsletter.
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