Awards

Honoring the Exceptional Work of our Members

Every year we recognize the hard work and passion of those involved in growing the party. Awards are presented at the Libertarian Party of Indiana convention each year. With the exception of two award all winners are granted their award by a vote of the LPIN membership at the convention.

Below is a list of our awards, their meaning, and past recipients.

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.

2024 – Kristin Alexander (Monroe)
2023 – James Sceniak (Johnson)
2022 – Donald Rainwater (Hamilton)
2021 – Danny Lundy (Morgan)
2020 – Kristi Avery (Allen)
2019 – Bill Bean (Marion)
2018 – Jeremiah Morrell (Henry)
2017 – Rex Bell (Wayne)
2016 – Karl Tagenhorst (Porter)
2015 – Greg Hertzsch (Clark)
2014 – Beth Duensing (Lake)
2013 – Chris Spangle (Johnson)
2012 – Evan McMahon (Marion)
2011 – Joyce and Paul Morrell (Rush)
2010 – Allison Maguire (Marion)
2009 – Dan Drexler (LaPorte)
2008 – Timothy Maguire (Marion)
2007 – Mike Kole (Hamilton)
2006 – Greg Kelver (LaPorte)
2005 – Rex Bell (Wayne)
2004 – Phil Miller (Hancock)
2003 – Rebecca Sink-Burris (Monroe)
2002 – Sam Goldstein (Marion)
2001 – Mark Rutherford (Marion) & Andy Horning (Marion)
2000 – Kurt St. Angelo (Marion)
1999 – Steve Dillon (Marion)

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.

2024 – Clayton Soultz (Grant)
2023 – Luke Jackson (Morgan)
2022 – Susan Bell (Wayne)
2021 – Nathan Kring (Tipton)
2020 – Danny Lundy (Morgan)
2019 – Jamie Jo Owens (Henry)
2018 – Paul Morrell (Rush)
2017 – Susan Bell (Wayne)
2016 – Chris Mayo (Marion)
2015 – Steve Coffman
2014 – Brad Klopfenstein (Marion)
2013 – Al Cox (Brown)
2012 – Mark Rutherford (Marion)
2011 – Edward Coleman (Marion)
2010 – Edward Coleman (Marion)
2009 – Susan Bell (Wayne)
2006 – Ed Dilts (Johnson)

Ken Bisson Outreach Award

Awarded to a party member who has worked exceptionally hard to spread the message of libertarian principles to as many potential voters as is possible.

2024 – Donald Rainwater (Johnson)
2023 – James Sceniak (Johnso)
2022 – Casandra Rolon (Kosciusko)
2021 – Sam Goldstein (Hamilton)
2020 – Chuck Pullen (Lake)
2019 – Lucy Brenton (Hamilton) and Danny Lundy (Morgan)
2018 – Dakota Davis (Henry)
2017 – Rodney Benker (Johnson)
2016 – Rodney Benker (Johnson)
2015 – Donna Dunn (Lake)
2014 – Andy Horning (Owen)
2013 – Chris Spangle (Johnson)
2012 – Rupert Boneham (Marion)
2011 – Rex Bell (Wayne)
2010 – Paul Morrell (Rush) and Jerry Titus (Howard)
2009 – Doug Horner (Allen)
2006 – Mike Sylvester (Allen)

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.

2024 – Mark Rutherford (Marion)
2023 – Stephanie Dasbach (Hamilton)
2022 – Danny Lundy (Morgan)
2021 – Lauri Shillings (Hamilton)
2020 – Kristi Avery (Allen)
2019 – Jeff Maurer (Hamilton)
2017 – Jeremiah Morrell (Henry)
2016 – Angela Fisher (Marion)
2013 – Miah Akston (Johnson)
2012 – Allison Maguire, Evan McMahon, Chris Gault (Marion)
2011 – Dan Drexler (LaPorte)
2009 – (Tie) Melanie Hughes (Floyd), Allison Maguire (Marion), and Tim Maguire (Marion)
2005 – Sheri Conover Sharlow (Grant)

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.

2024 – Danny Lundy (Morgan)
2023 – Jeff Maurer (Hamilton)
2022 – Kayla Coleman (Jennings)
2021 – Donald Rainwater (Hamilton)
2020 – Chris Guffey (Henry)
2019 – Danny Lundy (Morgan)
2017 – Lucy Brenton (Hamilton)
2016 – Mike Gunyon (Marion)
2015 – Chris Mayo (Marion)
2013 – Rupert Boneham (Marion)
2012 – Phil Miller (Hancock)
2011 – Rebecca Sink-Burris (Monroe)
2009 – (Tie) Dr. Eric Schansberg (Clark), Rex Bell (Wayne)
2005 – Kenn Gividen (Bartholomew)

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.

2024 – Danny Lundy (Morgan)
2023 – Greg Noland (Madison)
2022 – Kristi Avery (Allen)
2021 – Evan McMahon (Marion)
2020 – Joe Hauptmann (Boone)
2019 – Sam Goldstein (Hamilton)
2018 – Frank Rossa (Johnson)
2017 – Rex Bell (Marion), Rodney Benker (Johnson), & Alyssa Salgado (Boone)
2016 – Steve Dillon
2015 – John Schick (Porter)
2014 – Greg Kelver (LaPorte), Michael Schultheiss (Marion), Beth Duensing (Lake)
2013 – Dale Wedel (Hendricks)
2012 – Mark Burris and Rebecca Sink-Burris (Monroe)
2011 – Greg Hertzsch
2010 – Todd Singer (Hendricks), Dan Drexler (LaPorte), Dale Wedel (Hendricks)
2009 – Andrew Horning (Owen)
2007 – Mark Rutherford (Marion), Mike Runnebohm (Shelby)
2006 – Brad Klopfenstein (Marion), Cindy Kirkpatrick (Marion), Kenn Gividen (Bartholomew)

Bill Bean County Affiliate of the Year Award

In recognition of an outstanding county affiliate for their electoral success, fundraising and membership contribution to the LPIN, and contribution to LPIN ballot access.

2024 – Floyd County
2023 – Lawrence County
2022 – Kosciusko County
2021 – Morgan County
2020 – Morgan County
2019 – Henry County

Jaime Ortiz Canvasser of the Year Award:

Awarded to an individual who knocked on the most doors, delivered the most yard signs, or handed out literature on behalf of a candidate or county affiliate.

2024 – Josh Turner (Floyd)
2023 – Jaime Ortiz (Tippecanoe)