2025 Award Nominations

The recipient is honored as the person most responsible for the growth of the party and dedication to the libertarian cause.

• Donald Rainwater (Johnson Co.)
  • Through two election cycles, Donald has been a tremendous voice for liberty and expanded both the reach and perception of the LPIN as a viable political movement in the eyes of voters.
  • Gave the party immense levels of publicity through his runs for Governor in 2020 and 2024.
• Kenneth Richard Fitzlaff (Vigo Co.)
  • Ran a great campaign and spread the message of liberty across his entire district.
• Andrew (Andy) Horning (Owen Co.)
  • Andrew has consistently stepped forward to serve and run for office for many years. His longtime dedication is without questioning and has done much to grow the party.
  • Andy has served the party for many, many years and has done an excellent job or teaching Libertarian principles
• Kristin Alexander (Monroe Co.)
  • One of the two hardest-working people in the party. Hands-down.
  • Kristin has worked tirelessly to maintain and grow party membership over the past year. She has had a major impact on the campaigns of several candidates during the 2024 campaign season.
  • Kristin, in addition to serving as LPIN Vice-Chair, took on the very difficult task of being Don Rainwater’s Campaign Manager. She has been very active in her county party and at the state level for many years, doing what is asked without complaint and with great enthusiasm.
• Tim Cotton (St. Joseph Co.)
  • Tim is dedicated to furthering the Libertarian Party and he goes out of his way to connect with those in our county concerning the cause. He is big part of why I chose to run as a candidate.
• Chad VanRyn (Owen Co.)
  • Hardest working candidate
• Elizabeth Coquillard (Elkhart Co.)
  • Activism and consistency
• Lauri Shillings (Hamilton)
  • Lauri has worked tirelessly and professionally behind the scenes for years to grow and organize the LPIN. Since 2021 – she has been directly involved in the planning and execution of our annual conventions; she is a county chair, a district rep, and – above all – a great friend and kind human. In 2024 she volunteered her marketing acumen and design expertise to help Libertarians succeed – from the county level to the national level – all while running her own congressional race. Aside from the tangible hard work Lauri does to support our party, she is also a voice of reason and rationality – while holding true to her values. She is principled in her decisions and her ideas. She is an integral advocate for the LPIN, the people she loves, and for liberty for ALL. Lauri speaks to Libertarian values in every walk of her life, holds firm to her beliefs when faced with pressure to change them, and treats her fellow human with kindness along the way.

Awarded to a current elected officeholder of the Libertarian Party that best promotes libertarian principles and values through public service.

• Clayton Soultz, Jonesboro City Council (Grant Co.)
  • Clayton has held firm to libertarian principles while serving in Jonesboro.
  • Clayton has successfully been elected to Jonesboro City Council where he not only represents Libertarianism well, but he also represents a youthful future for the LPIN as an influential member of his local community as a city council member.
• Matthew Pranger (Morgan Co.)
  • Matthew has been fighting an extremely dysfunctional board and trustee while also soothing a very angry public. For decades Madison Township in Morgan County has been mismanaged, non-communicative, sometimes corrupt, and often in the news. As the only Libertarian serving on that board, Matt has gotten them to follow an agenda, adhere to (or at least acknowledge) basic standard board meeting procedures, and pushes for transparency and accountability from the trustee. It has been a challenge, but Matt has risen to the task and continues to try and make his community a little better.

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.

• Lauri Shillings (Hamilton Co.)
  • Lauri’s work on the Rainwater, Oliver and her own campaigns, as well as with the LPIN, has gone a long way in providing a professional image for the LPIN.
• Kristin Alexander (Monroe Co.)
  • Membership director, campaign manager, vice chair, what more can be said, she is a beast and we are lucky to have her!
  • Kristin was great support and a wealth of information for candidates running. As a new member, she was great with all of my questions along the way.
• Tonya Hudson (Lawrence Co.)
  • Tonya tirelessly traveled the Hoosier State as our Lt Governor candidate and spread Libertarianism throughout the state.
  • Tonya traveled all over the state during the gubernatorial campaign this year. She is heavily dedicated to the message of liberty, and the growth of the LPIN. When she sets a goal – she goes all in. She personally delivered over 100 yard signs for the campaign and applies libertarian principles to all parts of her life – a walking cheerleader for liberty!
• Kenneth Richard Fitzlaff (Vigo Co.)
  • Invested his personal time and money
• Darin Kinser (Lawrence Co.)
  • Lawrence Countys growth and consistency is because of Darin
• Andrew (Andy) Horning (Owen Co.)
  • A voice of reason in a world of soundbites, Andrew brings the Libertarian message not only as an author but also as a communicator. Andrew received 73,278 votes in his campaigh for the US Senate.
• Kristopher Bilbrey (Delaware Co.)
  • Mr. Bilbrey is the host of The Political Spotlight podcast on YouTube and Rumble. His podcast focuses on local politics where he often speaks about Libertarian ideals and promotes Libertarian candidates. His work to show corruption in local and state government is important for educating voters and highlighting the importance of having more voices in government outside the two party system. In addition to his 5 night a week podcast, he also hosted three town halls for Donald Rainwater during the 2024 election cycle.
• Andrew Smith (Hancock Co.)
  • Andrew delivered a number of wonderful opinion pieces in 2024 that articulated the Libertarian position very well on a wide variety of topics. Many of those articles spread through multiple publications giving us a lot of positive earned media. This included an article on Asset Forfeiture which was reportedly the most popular opinion piece for the Indy Star in 2024, by a very wide margin.
• Jaime Ortiz (Tippecanoe Co.)
  • The door-knocking king of Indiana
• Charlie Florance (St. Joseph Co.)
  • It is with great pride and enthusiasm that we nominate Charlie Florance for the prestigious Ken Bisson Outreach Award. This award, given to a party member who has worked exceptionally hard to spread the message of libertarian principles to as many potential voters as possible, is a fitting recognition of Charlie’s extraordinary efforts and unwavering dedication. Exceptional Outreach and Engagement Charlie Florance has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to spreading libertarian principles and values throughout our community. As a candidate for State House District 6, Charlie tirelessly engaged with voters, ensuring that the message of personal liberty, minimal government, and individual responsibility was heard far and wide. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life has been instrumental in growing the base of the Libertarian Party in St Joseph County and beyond. Innovative Campaign Strategies Charlie’s innovative approach to campaigning set a new standard for outreach efforts. He organized and hosted numerous events, including a highly successful Tri-partisan event at the Indiana Whiskey Company, where he brought together members from all political backgrounds to discuss and promote voter registration and engagement. His efforts fostered a spirit of cooperation and understanding among diverse political groups, highlighting the inclusive nature of libertarianism. Community Involvement and Support Charlie’s commitment to the community is reflected in his generous contributions to the St Joseph Libertarian Party. He provided his company space at Indiana Whiskey Company for county party meetings and events, creating a welcoming and accessible venue for party activities. Additionally, Charlie contributed the media hardware that allowed the creation and use of multimedia presentations at booth events, significantly enhancing the party’s ability to engage with the public. Organizational Leadership and Call Center Events Charlie’s leadership has been instrumental in strengthening the St Joseph Libertarian Party. He organized and spearheaded Call Center events, ensuring that volunteers were coordinated and effective in reaching out to voters. These events played a crucial role in voter engagement and mobilization, showcasing Charlie’s dedication to spreading the libertarian message. St Joseph County Fair Booth Charlie played a pivotal role in the success of the St Joseph County Fair booth, which featured a looping media presentation highlighting every Libertarian candidate on the ballot. His dedication ensured that the booth was manned every single day, maximizing voter engagement and effectively spreading the libertarian message. The media presentation, which included interviews with Chase Oliver, Mike ter Maat, and Donald Rainwater, as well as numerous SJLP and LPIN District 2 events, was made possible through Charlie’s contributions. Conclusion Charlie Florance embodies the spirit of the Ken Bisson Outreach Award. His exceptional dedication to spreading the message of libertarian principles, innovative outreach strategies, and unwavering commitment to community engagement make him a standout candidate for this prestigious award. Charlie’s efforts have not only strengthened the Libertarian Party in St Joseph County but have also laid a strong foundation for future growth and success. We wholeheartedly endorse Charlie Florance for the Ken Bisson Outreach Award and believe that his outstanding contributions to our party and community make him the ideal recipient of this honor.

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.

• Perry Shepard (Greene Co.)
  • Perry was good to be at any and every event possible. he shared and commented on every social media post for all candidates in the 8th district and beyond.
• Kristin Alexander (Monroe Co.)
  • Kristin took on the difficult task of managing Don Rainwater’s campaign with no experience of running a statewide candidate and did so with great skill and patience.
  • Stepped up while Vice chair to run our biggest campaign of 2024.
  • When the Gubernatorial campaign needed someone to step up when a family emergency required the campaign manager to step back, Kristin went above and beyond to step in and take the reins. Kristin was able to hit the ground running and maintain the campaign’s momentum while working to identify new opportunities to expand the campaign’s outreach.
  • Seeing Kristin juggle running the Rainwater campaign while also serving as LPIN VC has been impressive.
  • She killed it with the rainwater campaign
• Beth Spurgin (Vigo Co.)
  • Worked tirelessly on Fitzlaff campaign
  • Beth put in a lot of hard work for the Fitzlaff for Congress campaign.
  • Beth came to us after convention and not only immediately joined the party but became very involved and instrumental to several campaigns across the 8th District. Beth has tirelessly worked to support multiple candidates and support their efforts. As a small business owner Beth sacrificed much to be able to volunteer for campaigns giving countless hours, financially, driving and more. All in an effort to support a party she just joined. I can think of no one across the state who has done more as a new volunteer to live out our values and support us more than she has.
  • Beth joined the 8th District Congressional campaign to work for a candidate she personally believed in. She was new to politics, and the Libertarian Party – but never wavered in her principles or support of our party. She had her candidate’s back through thick and thin and wore many hats she’d never donned before. Her positive attitude and passion kept the campaign running when faced with roadblocks.
  • Beth Spurgin was far, far more than the campaign manager for the 2024 Fitzlaff for Congress (Indiana’s 8th CD) campaign. Beth was mom, cheerleader, driver, recruiter, volunteer, networker, hype-man, manager, executive, CEO, logistician, media manager, and “one-woman-band” who did it all. She stepped forward with commitment and resolve, and not once during the campaign did she demure from her self-appointed responsibilities. As the constant, reliable driving force of the campaign, Beth recruited and led the campaign team, always prioritizing the needs of the campaign, the candidate, and the team. Dedicating hundreds of tireless hours, Beth single-handedly contributed to the outsize visibility and impact of the campaign, shining the light of liberty to tens of thousands of voters in the 8th District who watched, read, or met the candidate and learned about our shared Libertarian values. Thanks to Beth’s efforts, the libertarian cause has grown, strengthened, and attracted more voters, volunteers, and future candidates. Working above and beyond her campaign leadership role, Beth made extraordinary contributions to the success of the campaign and the advancement of liberty in Southwestern Indiana. Beth Spurgin is most deserving of the 2024 Joe Hauptmann Campaign Leadership Award.
• Charlie Florence (St. Joseph Co.)
  • Charlie went out of his way to allow us to use his place of business to conduct meetings and to do phone banking for candidates. He made sure to share information of other fellow Libertarians campaigns outside of his own campaign and he helped support multiple campaigns at once. I was unable to set up my own phone banking platform in time, but Charlie helped me set up something. When I had volunteers unable to figure out the technology, Charlie again took time out of his own campaign calling to make sure they were set up. Charlie is a role model for Libertarians and the community alike.
• Larry Silver Jr. (Hancock Co.)
  • Larry once again sat at booths, raised money at fairs and events, and took over both the county party and social media for my campaign, while influencing the city council to more Libertarian stances. He is a rock star.

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.

• Donald Rainwater (Johnson Co.)
  • Once again Don represented the LPIN and the libertarian perspective on state government with tremendous skill and perseverance. This year’s campaign was much more difficult than 2020’s for a variety of reason, but Don kept up the pace for months and gave Hoosiers a true choice for a smaller and more tolerant government.
• Luke Lomax (Hancock Co.)
  • Outperformed most Libertarians in voting percentage, didn’t go negative and tarnish the Libertarian Party’s integrity, and received over 5000 votes in a single county.
  • While continuing to perform his duties as regional representative on the SCC, Luke ran an active and impactful campaign for Hancock County Council.
  • One of our best performers in the State this election. Ran a really good campaign all on his own.
  • Ran a great campaign and represented the Hancock county party well
• Jarrad Lancaster (Whitley Co.)
  • Jarrad ran all around Northeast Indiana in his campaign for Congress this year.
• Kenneth Richard Fitzlaff (Vigo Co.)
  • Best grass roots effort
  • Richard poured countless hours into not only his campaign, but into supporting the campaigns of others. I’m curious how many miles he put on his vehicle during this campaign. I know he was everywhere, meeting as many voters as possible.
  • Fitzlaff answered a call to action placed by the LPIN Leadership. The LPIN had a goal to have a candidate in all 9 congressional districts (and they succeeded!). When Fitzlaff heard the call – he immediately jumped all in. He began a self-funded campaign, and his boots hit the ground. He was able to raise additional funds from people who were inspired by his uphill battle against a “ghost candidate”. He generated tons of earned media – and worked across aisles to bring election transparency to the public. His campaign faced many obstacles: it’s the largest geographic district in Indiana & it has the fewest LPIN affiliated counties, it is very rural, his campaign signs were stolen from multiple locations, and his republican opponent refused to debate. Despite that – he continued on and worked 2 full time jobs and campaigned every single day in September and October; he knocked doors, made phone calls, and attended every interview and candidate event physically possible. His dedication is something to be commended and celebrated.
  • Principled, consistent messaging. Not afraid to take it to his opponent, even in public.
• Libby Glass (Marion Co.)
  • Libby took on a Democrat incumbant in a highly Democrat district, so much so there was (again) no Republican challenger. Libby received the confidence of 1817 voters, a solid 11% of the total.
• Tim Cotton (St. Joseph Co.)
  • The biggest reason I want to nominate Tim Cotton is because when I was electioneering on November 5th outside the polling place, I was asked to leave and told I was unable to solicit on the property at all. However, there was a Republican candidate right there closer to the door by 15 ft. Once Tim found out, he came to the polling place right away and confronted those involved and solved the matter with diplomacy. I was able to stay and continue to educate people.
• Amanda Mitchell (St. Joseph Co.)

  • It is with great enthusiasm that we nominate Amanda Mitchell for the Phil Miller Candidate of the Year Award at the 2025 LPIN State Convention. Amanda has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to reach and connect with voters, significantly advancing the cause of libertarianism through her tireless efforts, impactful advocacy, and dedicated campaign work.

    Exceptional Campaign Leadership

    Amanda Mitchell’s candidacy for County Commissioner District 3 exemplified her extraordinary leadership and commitment to the Libertarian Party. Her campaign was marked by a robust engagement strategy, including consistent participation in local forums, town halls, and public events. Amanda’s ability to articulate libertarian principles resonated with a broad audience, earning her significant support and recognition.

    Rethink Solar Project

    One of Amanda’s most notable achievements was her leadership in the Rethink Solar Project. Spearheading this initiative, Amanda advocated for modifications to county zoning ordinances, aiming to protect agricultural land from arbitrary solar development. Her efforts ensured future solar projects would be evaluated at the county level, safeguarding property owners’ rights and promoting responsible green energy practices. This project not only highlighted Amanda’s commitment to property rights but also showcased her ability to effect meaningful policy changes.

    Driving Growth and Engagement

    Amanda has been instrumental in pushing the St Joseph Libertarian Party to new heights. Her efforts have led to an increase in booth events, drawing more attention to the Libertarian Party in St Joseph County. Her organizational skills and dedication have resulted in a stronger, more visible presence for the party at local events, significantly boosting community engagement and support.

    Election Night Celebration and Beyond

    Amanda played a crucial role in organizing and hosting events that brought together Libertarians and the broader community. Her efforts in organizing the Election Night party at the Indiana Whiskey Company and the tri-partisan event at the beginning of October exemplified her ability to foster unity and collaboration among diverse political groups. These events not only celebrated campaign successes but also promoted voter registration and community involvement.

    Media Engagement and Visibility

    Amanda effectively utilized media to amplify her campaign’s reach and the Libertarian message. She made significant appearances at Rethink Solar meetings, which garnered local media attention, and was a visible advocate in print at the South Bend Tribune. Her proactive engagement with the media ensured that libertarian perspectives were well-represented in public discourse. Amanda’s ability to communicate complex issues in an accessible manner helped bridge the gap between libertarian ideals and the everyday concerns of voters.

    Election Results and Impact

    Amanda’s election results speak volumes about her ability to connect with voters. Garnering 1,842 votes (4.79%) in a competitive three-way race for County Commissioner District 3, Amanda demonstrated significant voter support and the growing influence of libertarian principles in local politics. Her campaign not only achieved impressive electoral results but also laid a strong foundation for future libertarian candidates in the region.

    Conclusion

    Amanda Mitchell embodies the qualities and dedication that the Phil Miller Candidate of the Year Award seeks to recognize. Her extraordinary ability to reach and connect with voters, coupled with her impactful advocacy and tireless campaign efforts, has significantly furthered the cause of libertarianism. Amanda’s leadership, dedication, and success make her an outstanding candidate for this prestigious award, and we wholeheartedly endorse her nomination.

Awarded to a Libertarian in recognition of outstanding service as an appointed Libertarian.

• Chad VanRyn (Owen Co.)
  • Chad has served in an appointed position in Owen County and has participated in committees in his community. I think we were all shocked that he did win his council seat.
  • Chad VanRyn has served in appointed position on the Owen County planning commission in addition to being a full time husband and father, a small business owner and leader within his county party. Chad ran unsuccessfully for county council while still fulfilling all those duties and working with the community on UDO and several other projects. He’s also done wonders for his county party and supporting other LPIN candidates.
• Danny Lundy (Morgan Co.)
  • Makes a difference everywhere he serves.