Press Release Archive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Libertarian Party of Indiana Elects Candidates for 2012 Election Cycle

By
LPIN Editor
Published: March 24, 2012

The Libertarian Party of Indiana met at its annual state convention this afternoon to select its candidates for the 2012 election cycle.

Indiana election law lays out that the membership of a party that achieves between two and nine percent in the Secretary of State race will gathers at nomination conventions to elect their candidates. The Libertarian Party of Indiana won six percent of the vote in 2010.

“The election cycle before us is potentially historic for the Libertarian Party of Indiana,” said State Chair Sam Goldstein. “Our delegates were excited to nominate this slate of candidates, and are ready to work hard for them in the coming months. We have a Governor’s candidate in Rupert Boneham that can reach out to the 70% of the population that does not vote, and bring them in to the process. He brings a level of name id that our previous candidates have not had, which is important in politics. We have a United States Senate candidate in Andrew Horning that has a message that has always been too early. His message has finally become mainstream. We have also have some of the best Congressional and State Legislative candidates in our history. For example, Rex Bell set records in his last race, and he’s looking to make history in Congressional District 6. Congressional District 5 candidate Chard Reid won our party’s first endorsement by the state’s largest newspaper in his last Congressional run. These are just a few of the incredible candidates that will spread the message of libertarianism in 2012.”

The following candidates are the Libertarian Party of Indiana Nominees for 2012:

  • Governor: Rupert Boneham
  • Lt. Governor: Brad Klopfenstein
  • U.S. Senate: Andrew Horning
  • Congressional District 4: Joe Bowman
  • Congressional District 5: Chard Reid
  • Congressional District 6: Rex Bell
  • Congressional District 7: Jason Sharp
  • Congressional District 8: Bart Gadau

The LPIN also nominated nine State House candidates:

  • James Rainwater, District 28
  • Jeremiah Morrell, District 54
  • Mark Brim, District 56
  • Paul Bravard, District 57
  • Al Cox, District 65
  • Alexander Avery, District 81
  • James Hanson, District 84
  • Fred Peterson, District 87
  • James Nease, District 89

Jeffrey Knoop was nominated for Marion County superior court judge.

The Libertarian Party of Indiana also held a Presidential debate and straw poll. Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson won this straw poll with 87% of the vote.

Media Contact:

Chris Spangle, LPIN Executive Director, (317) 997-5558, cspangle@lpin.org

Sam Goldstein, LPIN State Chair, (317) 850-0726, chair@lpin.org

The Erosion of Our Fourth Amendment

By
Chris Spangle
Published: May 16, 2011

We responded to the outrageous Indiana Supreme Court decision last week through a press release posted to our facebook page. We stand corrected as it appears that the fourth amendment was actually gutted in 1974.

Justice Rucker, writing in dissent:

“The Court of Appeals reached this same conclusion over three decades ago. [A] private citizen may not use force in resisting an peaceful arrest by an individual who he knows , or has reason to know, is a police officer performing his duties regardless of whether the arrest in question is lawful or unlawful.” Williams vs State, 311 N.E.2d 619, 621 (Ind Ct. App. 1974)

So we stand corrected as we actually lost our basic right to resist unlawful arrest long ago. That doesn’t temper our incense in the least however, and even though this ruling is based on a precedence set in 1974, the formal extension and precedent of this ruling to include one’s home, further marks the march to tyranny.

Read the rest of this entry »

Information on the May Primary From the Libertarian Party of Marion County

By
Chris Spangle
Published: May 2, 2011

(The primaries are closed party business. By pulling an R or D ballot, you are legally “joining” those parties. Libertarian party members should refrain from interfering in the party business of other private organizations. It’s the law!)

Indianapolis, Indiana – The Libertarian Party of Marion County encourages independent and Libertarian voter participation in the primary election on May 3rd, 2011, but voters are asked to consider some specific issues before voting.

State law only allows for the Republican and Democratic parties to hold primary elections for candidates seeking the parties’ nominations. This is done at the expense of all taxpayers regardless of party affiliation. Independents and members of other parties, such as the Libertarian Party, should be aware that there is an alternative on Election Day. Hoosiers can elect to receive a “public question only” ballot. This option gives voters the opportunity to participate in the electoral process without affiliating with a specific party.

In this year’s election, Franklin and Perry townships will have public question ballots available, but all other precincts in Marion County will only vote on partisan ballots. If you are not able to vote with a public question ballot, you should not participate in a primary election. This is internal party business, and should not be conducted at taxpayer expense. Participation in a partisan primary is a matter of public record. This should be considered by all voters, especially those planning on running for public office.

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States, and is the only non-major party with ballot access in the state of Indiana. Libertarians believe in a small non-intrusive government that is financially responsible, administratively competent and socially tolerant.

Contact –

Jason Sipe, secretary

Libertarian Party of Marion County

secretary@indylp.org

133 W. Market St, #159

Indianapolis, IN 46204

317.730.5828

Libertarian Party of Indiana Victim Of Fake Email

By
LPIN Editor
Published: March 23, 2011

We sent out a press release this afternoon with a memo regarding a Constitutional ban on gay marriage. After further investigation we have determined that we were the victim of a similar hoax as the one that befell Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett last week. Our party cares deeply about accountability and transparency, so we want to be the first to confirm to you that this email was not sent from a state government email address.

This email was sent to us February 9, 2011, but we released it today. We wanted to take the time to hear the other side of the story before sharing it with our membership and the media. Unfortunately, answers were never provided.

The person working on our social networking sites at the time received the email first. We called the Indiana State’s Senate Office to speak with Senator Lawson about the email’s contents immediately after we were made aware of its contents. We were never able to get through to the Majority Leader for clarification.

We also reached out to the Indiana Republican Party last week, and provided them with a hard copy of the email. After no response, we felt it was time to make the public aware of this information, and hopefully get some answers that way.

We do not know where the email came from, or what motives were behind the hoax. We have and will cooperate with any authorities that wish to pursue this matter to get answers. We also apologize to the other victim of this hoax, State Senator Connie Lawson. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

In Liberty,

Sam Goldstein

LPIN Press Release: House Democrats Show Failed Leadership

By
LPIN Editor
Published: February 22, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – State House Democrats imitated their counterparts in Wisconsin by fleeing the state and failing to do the job Hoosiers hired them to do: Meeting Indiana’s challenges head on. Instead of exercising bipartisanship they pulled a political stunt to kill HB 1468, or the Right to Work bill.

“Legislators are hired to serve the public, not special interests,” said State Chairman Sam Goldstein. “By ignoring the State’s business today, the House Democrats are serving a large campaign contributor, not Hoosiers. This is another reminder that Democrats are lacking on principles and leadership. Unacceptable political stunts are why principled people are investigating the Libertarian Party in historic numbers.”

Indiana legislators make an annual salary of $22,616, as well as $155 per diem in session or at a committee hearing. They receive $62 in expense pay every other day. (Source: Indianapolis Star)

“House Democrats should refund their per diem to the taxpayers for any days that are missed,” said Chris Spangle, LPIN Executive Director. “The message from taxpayers to lawmakers is clear: This was not an excused absence, and it should not be a paid vacation day.”

LPIN Press Release: Republicans and Democrats Seek To Add Discrimination to the Constitution

By
LPIN Editor
Published: February 11, 2011

Despite the Governor’s call to avoid wading in to divisive issues, The Indiana Republican Party has ignored the head of their party by trying to make discrimination a permanent part of the Indiana Constitution. HJR-6 is a bill that will define marriage between one man and one woman. It is co-authored by two Republicans and two Democrats.

The Libertarian Party of Indiana affirms that personal relationships are an individual’s choice and government has no authority to define, license or restrict marriage. This Constitutional amendment increases the power of the government over the lives of all Hoosiers, and is designed to discriminate against homosexual couples.

“The very first section of the Indiana Constitution states that all people are created equal,” said Sam Goldstein, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Indiana. “All consenting adults should have equal protections under Indiana law when making a personal and private decision to share their life with someone. Its mind boggling that Republicans would campaign on personal liberty, and then seek to add discrimination to the Constitution. Democrats should also be upset that their legislators are co-sponsoring this bill, and the Indiana Democratic Party has been silent through this process. Where are their principles?”

Goldstein continued, “Employers that are looking to relocate their business will have a hard time choosing Indiana over other states if we allow our government to force those business owners to deny benefits for ALL of their employees. This is a very bad bill for jobs as well.”

In this current session of the General Assembly, both parties have sought to “strengthen marriage.” One Republican idea is adding a pre-marriage class to the license process (HB 1248).

“It’s clear that the Republican Party of Indiana has failed in its promise to stop the tide of government control brought on by Democrats,” said Executive Director Chris Spangle. “They have a super majority in the Senate and close to 60 votes in the House. If they were serious about a small government, they have the ability to bring it about. We’re almost halfway through the session, and there has been a limited discussion of budgetary issues.”

Media Contact: Chris Spangle, 317-920-1994

Press Release: LaPorte Libertarians Encourage Longer Review Time for Countywide Zoning Ordinance

By
lplpchair
Published: February 11, 2011

(LPLP Press Release)

Following a unanimous vote of its membership, the Libertarian Party of LaPorte County (LPLP) announced
opposition to the proposed Countywide Zoning ordinance now being considered by city and county officials.
Characterizing the ordinance as anti-business, LPLP leadership is proposing the ordinance review process be slowed down to allow the public more time to understand the land use changes and the impact on business attraction and expansion.

In a prepared statement, LaPorte County resident and state party Vice Chairman Dan Drexler noted, “There seems to be a rush by our plan commission members and elected officials to pass this without understanding the contents of the ordinance. It reminds me of the mammoth federal healthcare legislation, ‘We have to pass it to find out what’s in it.’ Changes continue to be made to this ordinance, even as recently as this week’s La Porte City Plan Commission meeting. This is a moving target that needs a final version drafted and available for public review before it is voted on.”

Drexler continued, “Once we have a final copy, let’s see how it impacts land use and businesses. The argument that we need this for economic development purposes simply doesn’t hold up to closer scrutiny. More prohibitive industrial land use regulations and less friendly building code will only go to dissuade businesses from looking here and challenge our rural school districts to balance budgets without raising current property taxes.”

Libertarian small business owner Greg Kelver said, “As a small business owner, there are a number of provisions buried in the ordinance that could have detrimental effects on small rural and home-based businesses. LaPorte County could offer a lot to growing small businesses and companies who are ruralsourcing jobs instead of outsourcing them overseas. But the unintended consequences of this poorly written ordinance could kill those potential jobs and economic growth in LaPorte County before they even get started. Hopefully, our elected commissioners will send this back to planning commission for the additional corrective work it sorely needs.”

The one-size fits all approach to this ordinance could face strong legal challenge as well. County Vice Chairman and attorney Andy Wolf observes, “The needs of small rural communities like Union Mills or Rolling Prairie are very different than the needs of Michigan City or La Porte. It simply doesn’t make sense to have a single countywide ordinance that treats these communities identically. Lacrosse is not Michigan City and La Porte is not Hanna.”

“Parts of this ordinance are overly restrictive and clearly unconstitutional,” Wolf continued. “When you deny a
landowner the economically beneficial or productive use of his land, you violate his property rights. This ordinance excessively limits how a person can use his land, in some cases changing zoning designations that have existed for decades.”

LP of Marion County Opposes North of South Deal, New Corporate Welfare Project Put Forth by Ballard

By
mwittlief
Published: February 8, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Libertarian Party of Marion County (LPMC) strongly opposes the proposed
North of South Deal. The proposal (No. 292, 2010) will have the City issue a $98,000,000 bond in order
to secure financing for a private development on the near south side of downtown.

The project is proposed to include a boutique hotel, a YMCA, upscale apartments, and more in a mixed
use development led by Buckingham Cos. A proposal was ready to go before the City-County Council
until it was removed from the agenda prior to the February 7 meeting.

“We have another case of corporate welfare about to go before the Council,” says LPMC Chair Matt
Wittlief. “The project failed to secure private funding, so the City has gone back to its bag of tricks to
provide corporate welfare in the name of economic development. The project is too risky for private
banks – banks that took risky bets and nearly collapsed the economy. We have our own version of too-big-
to-fail here in Indy: too-politically-connected-to-not-get-taxpayer-money.”

Mayor Greg Ballard was quoted in the Indianapolis Business Journal in September saying, “Traditional
credit does not exist in this environment.”

Wittlief adds, “In this environment we have the billionaire owners of the Pacers and the Colts getting
handouts. We also have a history of proposed economic development projects which have not come to
fruition. This is not the environment of the free market. It’s the environment of private investment
recognizing risks and the government getting involved thinking that it knows better. We are glad that
the vote was postponed tonight due to insufficient notice given to the public. Hopefully, the residents
of Marion County will gain more awareness of this proposal and refuse to put their livelihood at risk
when banks were not willing to do so.”

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States, and is the only non-major
party with ballot access in the state of Indiana. Libertarians believe in a small non-intrusive government
that is financially responsible, administratively competent and socially tolerant.

Libertarian Party of Marion County
LPMC Contact: Matt Wittlief, LPMC Chairman, 317.660.LPMC or chair@indylp.org
LPMC Website: www.indylp.org
###

Libertarian Party: America Should Stop Interfering in Egypt

By
wbenedict
Published: February 4, 2011

WASHINGTON – Libertarian Party Chair Mark Hinkle released the following statement today:

“Media reports tell us that the Obama administration is heavily involved in the current crisis in Egypt. It shouldn’t be.

“Personally, my sympathies are with the Egyptian protesters. Our very own Declaration of Independence said that government exists to secure people’s rights, and ‘whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.’

“However, it would be wrong for me to force all Americans to adopt my point of view and support my choice in this crisis. But that’s exactly what the Obama administration is doing, by interfering in the crisis and inevitably taking sides.

“The instances of U.S. foreign meddling over the last hundred years are too numerous to list here. But in almost every case, U.S. intervention has made American taxpayers poorer, and it has usually served to entrench corrupt authoritarian rulers. In the worst cases, like Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, military intervention has caused the deaths of many Americans and far more foreigners.

“This includes all types of intervention: military intervention, foreign aid, and ‘behind-the-scenes’ intervention using diplomacy and espionage.

“Libertarians call for the U.S. government to stop interfering in the Egyptian crisis, and to end foreign aid to all nations, including Egypt.

“American interventionism also gives foreign governments an excuse to copy us. Instead of respecting their neighbors’ sovereignty and independence, foreign governments often interfere with each other, and they often use examples of American intervention as a justification.

“Unfortunately, powerful politicians in Washington can’t seem to resist the temptation to meddle in foreign countries’ affairs. This tendency is made worse by self-serving bureaucracies like the CIA, which rely on foreign meddling to keep their workers employed.

“Our government should leave other nations alone. The future of Egypt is for the Egyptian people to decide, not Washington politicians.”

The Libertarian Party platform plank on international affairs states:

“American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world. Our foreign policy should emphasize defense against attack from abroad and enhance the likelihood of peace by avoiding foreign entanglements. We would end the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid. We recognize the right of all people to resist tyranny and defend themselves and their rights. We condemn the use of force, and especially the use of terrorism, against the innocent, regardless of whether such acts are committed by governments or by political or revolutionary groups.”

For more information, or to arrange an interview, call LP Executive Director Wes Benedict at 202-333-0008 ext. 222.

The LP is America’s third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets, civil liberties, and peace. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party at our website.

###

Libertarians: Tea Party betrayed by tiny Republican budget cuts

By
wbenedict
Published: February 3, 2011

WASHINGTON – According to The Hill, House Republicans have just announced that they will seek appropriations for the rest of 2011 that are $32 billion below current spending levels.

LP Chair Mark Hinkle commented, “The Tea Party supporters have been betrayed. These cuts are so small, you need a microscope to find them.”

Hinkle continued, “The Congressional Budget Office just told us that federal spending was expected to be about $3.7 trillion this year. After the Republican cuts, it will still be about $3.7 trillion. The Republican cuts are so tiny, they disappear in the rounding error.

“Even with these cuts, the federal deficit will be over $1.4 trillion this year.

“It doesn’t help that Congressional Republicans voted for more unemployment spending and ethanol subsidies last December, or that they want to keep increasing military spending. And they haven’t come up with any serious cuts to entitlements.

“I think the Tea Party supporters were expecting real cuts, not this nonsense. We tried to warn Tea Party supporters last year that the Republicans were just trying to fool them again. It looks like we were right.

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll hear Republicans say they’re just getting started, and more cuts are coming…just not yet. But I hope the Tea Party supporters and other fiscal conservatives wake up and smell the deficits. Our children are going to drown in debt, and the Republicans aren’t going to save them. Republicans are part of the problem, not the solution.

“Tea Party supporters and other fiscal conservatives should support Libertarians, not Republicans. Libertarians would make dramatic cuts in spending, and if angry Republicans and Democrats threatened to shut down the government instead, Libertarians would say ‘Fine.’”

For more information, or to arrange an interview, call LP Executive Director Wes Benedict at 202-333-0008 ext. 222.

The LP is America’s third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets, civil liberties, and peace. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party at our website.

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Libertarian response to State of the Union and Republicans

By
LPIN Editor
Published: January 25, 2011

WASHINGTON – This evening, Libertarian Party Executive Director Wes Benedict spoke in response to the addresses from President Barack Obama and Congressman Paul Ryan.

A transcript of Mr. Benedict’s speech follows:

Read the rest of this entry »

The Libertarian Party of Indiana Maintains Ballot Access for Four More Years

By
Chris Spangle
Published: November 3, 2010

The Libertarian Party of Indiana will maintain ballot access for four more years because of their achievement of six percent in the Secretary of State race. Libertarian Mike Wherry earned 100,847 votes which is the highest number of votes cast for a single candidate in the LPIN’s history.

Automatic Ballot access is granted to a political party that reaches two percent of the vote while the ten percent mark enters a political party in to the primary system. In 2006, Mike Kole received 54,381 votes (3.3%). Rebecca Sink-Burris was the party’s candidate in 2002, and received 60,937 votes or (4.1%).

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Libertarian Party of Indiana Condemns Use of Candidates Image’s Without Permission

By
Chris Spangle
Published: October 30, 2010

The Indiana Democratic Party has sunk to new lows in their efforts to win two Congressional seats in Indiana. It was revealed Friday that the Indiana Democratic Party has put out a direct mail piece for Libertarian Greg Knott in Indiana’s ninth Congressional district. Today, Conservative voters in the second Congressional district received a direct mail piece promoting Libertarian Mark Vogel.

“The Libertarian Party of Indiana condemns the use of its candidate’s images and branding in this manner without our candidate’s express written permission,” said Executive Director Chris Spangle.

“Neither Greg Knott nor Mark Vogel were consulted before their images were used in these mailers. The Libertarian Party of Indiana denounces the tactics used by State Democrats. Voters should not trust politicians that will use any means to win a race.”

To View the Postcard from the second Congressional District, please click here.

For more information, please contact Chris Spangle at lpinhq@lpin.org or by telephone at (317) 997-5558.

6th District Choice: True Representation Or More Campaigning?

By
Chris Spangle
Published: October 27, 2010

On November 2nd, Hoosiers in Indiana’s 6th District have an important choice to make: True representation, or 2 more years of campaigning.

Mike Pence appears to be blatantly laying groundwork for higher office.. He has logged thousands of miles in his travels around the nation stumping for congressional candidates, most likely expecting their votes for Speaker Of The House in return. And let’s not forget the hints at a 2-year long campaign aimed at the White House.

Libertarian TJ Thompson has one thing on his mind: Representing Hoosiers in Washington. Thompson’s dedication to his 17 month long campaign is a preview of what to expect when he takes office. Thompson personally reads bills, writes bills, and responds to emails of concerned Hoosiers. He also gives out a phone number that rings to his personal cell phone.

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LP of Marion County: Republican Budget Does Not Go Far Enough

By
Timothy J. Maguire
Published: October 27, 2010

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Tonight the City-County Council will vote on a variety of budget measures for 2011 including the operating budget for the city of Indianapolis and Marion County. While the introduced budget makes strides towards fiscal responsibility, the Libertarian Party of Marion County believes that the budget stops short of truly effective budget reductions.

“This gets us back to 2008 spending levels. For all of Mayor Ballard’s talk of being a fiscal conservative, we are only now matching the spending of [former Democratic Mayor] Peterson’s last budget,” says LPMC Chairman Timothy Maguire. “There are many additional opportunities for cost savings in the budget.”

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