MICHIGAN LIBERTARIAN
August 2022

Volume 51:08

In This Issue:

Contributions welcome

We welcome new contributions with careful attention to our guidelines. Articles for the next issue of the Michigan Libertarian must be submitted to chair@michiganlp.org, and newsletter@michiganlp.org no later than the 20th of each month. This allows for publication on the first of each month. We routinely post articles to the website homepage ahead of our publication date.

The Libertarian Party of Michigan depends on contributions to carry out its mission Please Visit us at MichiganLP.org and scroll down to the bottom of our homepage to gain access to our contribution form.

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Libertarian Party of Michigan Nominates Candidates for General Election

Modified News Release

The LPM nominated candidates who attended training with former Representative Justin Amash.
The LPM nominated candidates who attended training with former Representative Justin Amash.

Mary Buzuma for Governor.
Mary Buzuma for Governor
Greg Stempfle for Secretary of State

At the conclusion of our nominating convention this past weekend, the Libertarian Party of Michigan is pleased to announce that we have nominated 42 candidates for the General Election on November 8th:

Statewide Candidates
Candidate Office website Email phone
Mary Buzuma Governor https://electmarybuzuma.com
Brian Ellison Lieutenant Governor
Greg Stempfle Secretary of State https://www.facebook.com/people/Gregory-Stempfle-for-Secretary-of-State/100058124527285/ gregstempfle@gmail.com (313)-929-1789
Kerry Morgan Supreme Court of MI
Bill Hall State Board of Education https://www.facebook.com/VoteBillHall VoteBillHall@gmail.com (616)-460-9516
Donna Gundle-Krieg State Board of Education www.nwmichiganlibertarians.org dokrieg@gmail.com
Joe McHugh Attorney General
Max Riekse MSU Board of Trustees
Claranna Gelineau MSU Board of Trustees cmgelineau@att.net (734)-675-2340
Eric Larson U of M Board of Regents Ellarson0@gmail.com (616)-648-3384
James Hudler U of M Board of Regents
Bruce Jaquays Wayne State University Board of Governors http://votejaquays.com elevatordog123@hotmail.com (248)-787-6150

Candidates for Representative in Congress
Candidate District website Email phone
Andrew Gale 1
Nathan Hewer 2
Jamie Lewis 3
Lorence Wenke 4
Norm Peterson 5
Leah Dailey 7
David Canny 8 https://www.canny4congress.com DavidC4congress@protonmail.com (810)-429-8569
Jacob Kelts 9 keltsjacob390@gmail.com (316)-305-2328
Mike Saliba 10 https://www.facebook.com/ElectMikeSaliba

Candidates for Representative in the Michigan House
Candidate District website Email phone
Donald Robert Love II 1
Gregory Creswell 12 http://gregcreswell.com
James Young 21
Rafael Wolf 41
Adam Childress 69
Alexander Avery 83
Greg Parlmer II 85 https://www.facebook.com/people/Greg-Parlmer-II-for-State-Representative-District-85/100083364093863/ gregparlmer@gmail.com
Marv Bolthouse 88 mbolthouse@netscape.net (616)-502-8968
Greg Black 92 http://gregblack2022.com/ greg@gregblack2022.com
Courtney Evans 103 (231)-429-5271

Candidates for Senator in the Michigan Senate
Candidate District website Email phone
Jon Elgas 22 elgasja@gmail.com (734)-972-8590
Theo Petzold 30 https://www.electtheo.com/ theo@electtheo.com (616)-240-8620
Jessica Fox 31
Jay Gillotte 33
Zachary Dean 37 zdean95@gmail.com (970)-394-0133
Marv Bolthouse 88 mbolthouse@netscape.net (616)-502-8968
Greg Black 92 http://gregblack2022.com/ greg@gregblack2022.com

Candidates for Local Office
Candidate Office Jurisdiction website Email phone
Scott Parkham County Commissioner Alpena Dist. 1
Andy Evans County Commissioner Cheboygan Dist. 3 http://www.fb.com/Andy4Liberty amevans_1968@yahoo.com
Ryan Roberts Road Commissioner Delta County
Connor Nepomuceno County Commissioner Oakland Dist. 8 cjnepo1@gmail.com (508) 579-7878
Loel Gnadt County Commissioner Wayne Dist. 4
Daniel Woike County Commissioner Wayne Dist. 9
Joseph LeBlanc Sheriff Wayne County
Mark King Mayor Ypsilanti
Scotty Boman * Community Advisory Council Member Detroit Dist. 4 http://ScottyBoman.org scottyeducation@yahoo.com (313)-247-2052
Carl Mintz * School Board Member Farmington
* Non-Partisan Candidate with Libertarian party of Michigan endorsement.

 

For further information please contact:

Joe Brungardt, Chairman

Email: Chair@MichiganLP.org

Mobile: (586)-436-2108

Convention Media Resources

See candidates being nominated

The candidates were nominated on Saturday (July 9th) and the social media team posted this video on Facebook.

Candidates enjoyed training and a speech by former US Representative Justin Amash on Sunday (July 10th), and the social media team posted this video on Facebook.

Ben Dejong took dozens of excellent photos which readers may link to here.

Learn about past conventions here.

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2022 Defender of Liberty Awards Honor 2021 Activism

By Scotty Boman & Greg Stempfle

Three Defender of Liberty Award winners: Brian Ellison, Jeff Pittel, and Andrew Hall (left to right). Photo by Greg Stempfle.
Three Defender of Liberty Award winners: Brian Ellison, Jeff Pittel, and Andrew Hall (left to right). Photo by Greg Stempfle.
During the banquet following the Libertarian Party of Michigan State Convention Saturday in Lansing, the party handed out it's annual Defender of Liberty Awards. Four awards were issued in three categories.

Spokesperson for Liberty Richard Wershe Jr.

The Spokesperson for Liberty Award goes to a member of the community whose patriotism and conviction have inspired contributions to the cause of liberty.

Rick Wershe recieves his Libby from Scotty Boman. Photo by Richard Wershe.
Rick Wershe receives his Libby from Scotty Boman. Photo by Richard Wershe.

Scotty Boman presented this award to Richard Wershe Jr. (BKA "White Boy Rick"). Wershe was the longest serving nonviolent juvenile offender in Michigan history. He was sentenced to life without parole, at the age of 17, for drug offenses, but was released in 2017. While this type of sentencing evokes outrage and sympathy from Libertarians, Wershe earned the award based on what he did when he got out of prison.

Calling Out Government Child Abuse

In 2021 Wershe challenged the use of juvenile informants by law enforcement. He sued former FBI agents, Detroit cops and federal prosecutors for illegally using him as an underage informant in the 1980s, and reneging on any deals to get him released from prison after his cooperation put corrupt cops behind bars. "I was too young and dumb to know that it would affect the rest of my life." At the age of 15 Wershe was shot after following the instructions of agents. "I did 33 in prison because I told on corruption in the city. Make that 100-percent clear." Said Wershe.

Instead of becoming bitter he quickly became an outspoken advocate of prison reform, using his notoriety to help people who may have already been forgotten. This included working with groups like Citizens for Prison Reform. His efforts bore fruit in January when 60 year old Tracy Cowan was released from prison. Cowan had been in prison since 2003 on non-violent drug offenses, but Wershe spent much of 2021 lobbying lawmakers to secure her release.

Adding Weight to the Message

He has also launched his own cannabis brand, The 8th, and dedicated a portion of the proceeds to fund efforts to release drug offenders who have been wrongfully or excessively imprisoned. He named the brand in honor of the 8th Amendment to the Federal Constitution because it prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. He says helping non-violent offenders in prison is his passion:

He says,

The plan is to take a portion of the proceeds and give it back to jail diversion and prison reform. We want to help the people I call "the forgotten ones"-because when you're in prison you're forgotten. We're also gonna educate people on what the Eighth Amendment is. Maybe you know now after reading about my brand, but did you know before that? "

Wershe was unable to attend the banquet but Scotty Boman presented the award, and Greg Stempfle recorded the moment here.

Boman later delivered the award and Wershe documented the moment with a selfie.

Producers of Liberty Jeff Pittel & Andrew Hall

Producer of Liberty Jeff Pittel
Producer of Liberty Jeff Pittel

The Producer of Liberty Award is given to a dedicated, behind-the-scenes Libertarian whose quiet labors over the years exemplifies the backbone of the LP. Two of these awards were given.

Reviving the Membership Committee

Andrew Hall proadly holds his Libby.
Andrew Hall proadly holds his Libby.
Greg Stempfle presented the first Producer of Liberty Award to Jeff Pittel for his work on reviving the state party membership committee and running the credentials committee during the past few conventions.

Organizing Conventions and Credentials

Larry Johnson presented the other Producer of Liberty Award to Andrew Hall. The award committee honored him for many years of activism, including the national credentials committee, and helping to organize many past state conventions.

Promoter of Liberty Brian Ellison

The Promoter of Liberty Award is given to a libertarian whose efforts have done the most to promote the LP and Libertarian principles.

Ellison being arrested. Picture from his Go Fund Me post.
Ellison being arrested. Picture from his Go Fund Me post.

Joe Brungardt presented this year's Promoter of Liberty Award to Brian Ellison . The award committee honored him for his endeavors to keep government officials and law enforcement accountable. Much of this work concerned abusive members of the Royal Oak Police Department.

Most notably, Ellison was arrested for protesting of the killing of Antonino Gordon, by Royal Oak police officer Keith Richard Beirenga. Thereby drawing attention to the lack of consequences for those responsible.

A Historical Conclusion: Libertarian Party of Michigan 51st Anniversary Celebration

The banquet was proceeded by a presentation by Greg Stempfle of the Libertarian Party of Michigan Historical Committee. His presentation was about the 51-year history of the Libertarian Party of Michigan.

The focus of his presentation was electoral milestones for Libertarian Candidates, especially those running under the Libertarian banner in partisan elections. Of course the biggest milestone, for a candidate, is winning an election and there were several winners Stempfle reminded guests of.

Readers may link to the presentation here. and afterward by a speech and Q & A session with former Congressman Justin Amash.

Justin Amash
Justin Amash
Political Director Greg Stempfle addresses the 2018 delegation to the LPM Spring Convention. Photo by Jess Mears
Political Director Greg Stempfle addresses the 2018 delegation to the LPM Spring Convention. Photo by Jess Mears

Anyone interested in a deep dive into LPM history is free to visit our historical archives here.

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Jon Elgas Challenges Status Quo in State Senate Race

Trevor Step

Jon Elgas for Senate (District 22).
Jon Elgas for Senate (District 22).

Jon Elgas
Jon Elgas
Jon Elgas is the 2022 Libertarian Party nominee for Michigan's 22nd District State Senate seat. The newly approved district boundaries have been the subject of countless controversies. Furthermore the current candidates and their campaigns are sure to continue this trajectory. While polling and historical data give Michigan residents a good idea of what many election results will look like this fall, individual candidates have really set the tone. Candidates in the 22nd district for State Senate haven't hesitated to tackle the controversial and sensitive topics, and Libertarian Jon Elgas is ready to join the conversation.

Jon Elgas Nominated Without Taxpayer Dollars

Unlike Democratic and Republican parties, the Libertarian Party of Michigan does not select candidates through a statewide primary election (The next one is August 2nd). Rather Libertarian Party of Michigan (LPM) candidates are chosen at the state convention, and on July 9th the Libertarian Party of Michigan delegates resoundingly supported Jon Elgas for the 22nd District State Senate seat.

Libertarian Party of Livingston County chair Joe Hartman had this to say about Jon's candidacy,

Jon has an excellent platform focusing on revamping education by supporting policies to fund students instead of monopolistic government systems, abolish state income tax, institute constitutional carry, and end clock changing.
This isn't Jon's first experience running for office. In 2016, Elgas ran against Lana Theis for House of Representative in District 42, and he ran for the Wayne State University Board of Governors in 2018 and 2020. Jon has shown that his bold messaging can turn out the vote. He received over 126,000 votes for his 2020 Wayne State University Board of Governors race. That's impressive compared to the less than 77,000 votes that won Theis her the current seat on the State Senate.

Opposition

Incumbent Senator Lana Theis won her 2018 primary with nearly 75% of the vote, and with 56% in the general election. The 2022 election could be much closer. Jordan Genso has had the luxury of an unopposed Democratic primary. Theis is facing a strong challenge from Trump endorsed candidate Mike Detmer in the Republican primary. There has been a lot of media coverage on this race as the candidates have frequently attacked each other's political positions: They push one another farther and farther to the right. Elgas hopes what is considered a strongly red district may implode, leaving voters scrambling to find a candidate who matches their values.

The Libertarian party did not run a candidate for the senate seat in 2018, but the 2014 candidate Jeff Wood for District 22 (He received 3.1% of the votes) had this to say about the race, "Theis and Detmer have disgraced themselves, their party, and Livingston County with their childish antics. I've known Jon Elgas for many years, and I'm proud to endorse him in his efforts to return civility to our local political sphere."

-Libertarian Party of Livingston County

Follow Jon's Campaign on his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Elgas4Liberty or Contact him and his campaign team at elgasja@gmail.com

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Officers & Staff

General Contact: Libertarian Party of Michigan: PO Box 27065, Lansing, MI 48909; Phone: 888.FREE.NOW.

Chair: Andrew Chadderdon. chair@michiganlp.org
First Vice Chair: Vacant. vcaffiliates@michiganlp.org
Second Vice Chair: Vacant vcpoliticaldirector@michiganlp.org
Secretary: Daniel Ziemba. secretary@michiganlp.org
Treasurer: Norman Peterson. treasurer@michiganlp.org
District 1 Rep: Ryan Roberts. dist1rep@michiganlp.org
District 2 Rep: Steven Fox. dist2rep@michiganlp.org
District 3 Rep: Jordan Martin. dist3rep@michiganlp.org
District 4 Rep: Rich Theelon. dist4rep@michiganlp.org
District 5 Rep: Dave Canny dist5rep@michiganlp.org
District 6 Rep: Brandon Warzbyok. dist6rep@michiganlp.org
District 7 Rep: Brian Ellison. dist7rep@michiganlp.org
District 8 Rep: Joe Hartman. dist8rep@michiganlp.org
District 9 Rep: Mike Saliba. dist9rep@michiganlp.org
District 10 Rep: Joe. dist10rep@michiganlp.org
District 11 Rep: Bruce Jacquays. dist11rep@michiganlp.org
District 12 Rep: Daniel Muehl-Miller. dist12rep@michiganlp.org
District 13 Rep: Vacant. dist13rep@michiganlp.org
District 14 Rep: Vacant. dist14rep@michiganlp.org

Judicial Committee Members

Connor Nepomuceno. judicialcommittee@michiganlp.org
Robert Roddis. judicialcommittee@michiganlp.org
Joshua Smith. judicialcommittee@michiganlp.org

Volunteers

Webmaster: Vacant. Webmaster@MichiganLP.org
Communications Director: Connor Nepomuceno cjnepo1@gmail.com
Newsletter Editor: Scotty Boman. newsletter@michiganlp.org
Social Media Director: Connor Nepomuceno cjnepo1@gmail.com
Historical Committee Chair: Emily Salvette esalvette@gmail.com

Affiliate Contacts

Capital Area: Luke Sciberras, Chair. 248-302-1064, capitalarealp@gmail.com
http://CapitalAreaLP.com
Genesee County: Chair David Canny, cannyds@gmail.com.
https://www.facebook.com/LPGCMI
Huron-Raisin: Larry Johnson, 734-320-7237, MichLibertarian@gmail.com
https://lpwc.wordpress.com
Jackson-Hillsdale: Norman Peterson, (269) 330-2980 norman.peterson@comcast.net
https://www.jhlp.org
Isabella County (Affiliate Applicant): Stephanie Dunn, 989-572-4450, stephaniedunn111969@gmail.com
Lapeer County: Kyle McCauley, (248) 974-5085.
Livingston County: James Weeks II, (810) 422-8769, j.weeks@riseup.net
http://livingstonlp.org
Macomb County: Mike Saliba, MacombLP@mail.com
https://macomblp.org
Northern Michigan: Philip Lindsay. philiplindsay25@gmail.com
Oakland County: Connor Nepomuceno, cjnepo1@gmail.com at (508) 579-7878
http://lpocmi.org
Southwest Michigan: Jason Brandenburg. swmi4liberty@be-innovative.net
https://swmlp.com
Straits Area: Chair Andy Evans, (231) 625-8403, . amevans_1968@yahoo.com
straitslp.com or facebook.com/StraitsAreaLP
Upper Peninsula Libertarian Party: Chair Ryan Roberts, (906) 420-2995, UPLP.org. ryan_r03@hotmail.com
Wayne County: Andrew Chadderdon, andrew.chadderdon@gmail.com
https://michiganlpwayne.wixsite.com/index
West Michigan: Steve Fox . (616) 406-7784, Email Steve Fox at sfoxphoto@gmail.com or call (616) 633-8390.
http://lpwm.org

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Upcoming Events

Please contact local affiliate officers (see above listing) to learn how to get involved in their meetings.

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.

August 2, 2022 - Southwest Michigan Libertarian Party Affiliate Meeting, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Traveler's Cafe and Pub. 5225 Portage Rd. Portage, MI 49002
For more information, contact Jason Brandenburg email at swmi4liberty@be-innovative.net

August 4, 2022 - Livingston County Monthly Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Brewery Becker. 500 W Main St, Brighton, MI, 48116.
For more information, contact James Weeks II at 810.422.8769 or email jamestweeks@outlook.com.

August 7, 2022 - Lapeer County Monthly Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
E.G Nicks Grill & Tavern. 825 S Main St, Lapeer, MI 48446.
For more information, contact Kyle McCauley at 248.974.5085.

August 8, 2022 - Libertarian Executive Committee Meeting 7:30 PM
Please contact an LEC officer or LPM affiliate leader for the Zoom link.

August 8, 2022 8:00 am through August 13, 2022 5:00 pm - (Cheboygan County Fair Booth - SALP)
Fair Website 204 E Lincoln Ave, Cheboygan, MI 49721
For more information, contact Andy Evans at (231) 625-8403 or email amevans_1968@yahoo.com.

August 10, 2022 - Libertarian Party of Wayne County Monthly Meeting, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Habib's Cuisine, 14316 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48126, USA.
Please visit the Libertarian Party of Wayne County's new Website for updates.
For more information, contact Andrew Chadderdon, andrew.chadderdon@gmail.com

August 11, 2022 - Huron-Raisin Affiliate Meeting, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Aubree's Pizzeria and Grill 2122 Whittaker Rd.
For more information, contact Larry Johnson at 734-475-9792 or email michlibertarian@gmail.com or call (734) 320-7237

August 13, 2022 - Libertarian Party of Wayne County Potluck Picnic, 1:00 PM -3:30 PM
Patterson Park 16006 Essex Ave, Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230 (At the foot of Three Mile).
The picnic is open to LPM members, their family and friends, and those LP curious.
Tell the park guard, at the entrance, that you are there for the permitted Libertarian Party (LP) Picnic.
Here's a link to the page for Patterson Park: https://www.grossepointepark.org/departments/parks___recreation/patterson_park.php
The LPWC affiliate will provide hot dogs, hamburgers, and bottled water.
We are asking attendees to sign-up for potluck and bring a dish/item to pass: http://www.PerfectPotluck.com/LNQV1495.
No glass containers, liquor (Beer permitted) or pets allowed.
For more information, contact Andrew Chadderdon, andrew.chadderdon@gmail.com

August 16, 2022 - Upper Peninsula Libertarian Party Affiliate Meeting, 8:00 PM.
The UPLP will be holding this meeting by Zoom Teleconference. Please link to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89324982981
The Meeting ID is 893 2498 2981 and one can call (312) 626-6799, and enter the Meeting ID, to join.
Everyone interested in learning about the UPLP and the Libertarian Party is welcome to join.
If you would like to get involved please contact Ryan Roberts ryan_r03@hotmail.com, (906) 420-2995] or Joshua Jongema.cannyds@gmail.com.
UPLP.org

August 16, 2022 - Libertarian Party of Isabella County Meeting (Affiliate Applicant), Start time TBA PM.
Biggby Coffee 210 S. Mission St., Mt Pleasant, MI 48858.
To confirm the meeting email Stephanie Dunn at: stephaniedunn111969@gmail.com or call at (989) 572-4450
https://lpocmi.org/

August 17, 2022 - Jackson-Hillsdale Affiliate Meeting 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Steve's Ranch Restaurant. 311 W Louis Glick Hwy, Jackson, MI
Contact Norman Peterson, (269) 330-2980 norman.peterson@comcast.net August Guest Speakers: Speakers: Mrs. Mindy Bradish Orta (Jackson) and Gregory Moore (Hillsdale), Consumers Energy County Community Affairs Department.
Topics: Energy Insecurity. Will Consumers Energy have the nuclear, coal, oil and gas for our homes and businesses? And how much will it cost tomorrow?
https://www.jhlp.org

August 17, 2022 - Libertarian Party of Oakland County Affiliate Meeting, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM.
Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern. 30450 Telegraph Road, Bingham Farms, MI 48025.
Business starts at 7:00 PM. To confirm the meeting email Connor Nepomuceno at: cjnepo1@gmail.com or call at (508) 579-7878
https://lpocmi.org/

August 21, 2022 - Capital Area Affiliate Meeting 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reno's North (16460 Old U.S. 27) Lansing, MI
Contact Luke Sciberras at 248-302-1064 or email capitalarealp@gmail.com for event details and instructions to join.

August 21, 2022 - Lapeer County Monthly Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
E.G Nicks Grill & Tavern. 825 S Main St, Lapeer, MI 48446.
For more information, contact Kyle McCauley at 248.974.5085.

August 23, 2022 - Libertarian Party of West Michigan Affiliate Meeting, PM
Location and time TBA
For more information, Secretary Bill Hall at at LibertarianPartyofWestMichigan@gmail.com.

August 28, 2022 - Libertarian Party of Genesee County Affiliate Meeting, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM.
White Horse Tavern. 621 W Court St, Flint, MI, 48503.
Business is from Noon to 2:00 PM. To confirm the meeting email Chair David Canny, cannyds@gmail.com.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LPGCMI

September 1, 2022 - Livingston County Monthly Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Brewery Becker. 500 W Main St, Brighton, MI, 48116.
For more information, contact James Weeks II at 810.422.8769 or email jamestweeks@outlook.com.

September 6, 2022 - Southwest Michigan Libertarian Party Affiliate Meeting, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Traveler's Cafe and Pub. 5225 Portage Rd. Portage, MI 49002
For more information, contact Jason Brandenburg email at swmi4liberty@be-innovative.net


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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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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.