Rupert Boneham, former Survivor contestant, small business owner, and mentor to at-risk youth announced his intentions to seek the nomination for Governor on the ticket of the Libertarian Party of Indiana.
“I am very excited that Rupert has decided to contend for the LPIN nomination for Governor in 2012,” said Sam Goldstein, State Chair of the Libertarian Party of Indiana. His nomination would be a great asset to the party and I look forward to working with him and his campaign team should he win the nomination at our convention next spring.”
“Many have been skeptical of his announcement, and I can understand that,” said Chris Spangle, Executive Director of the LPIN. “Libertarians are usually the subject of jokes and dismissal until folks actually hear what we have to say. Rupert has been working with his policy team very closely to put out solutions for Hoosiers in the coming weeks, and not months like his opponents. I am extremely excited to see how his campaign unfolds.”
The Libertarian Party Process for Nominating Candidates
The Libertarian Party of Indiana is the state’s third-largest political party. As a result of Mike Wherry’s 6% in the Secretary of State’s race last year, the Libertarian Party of Indiana has automatic ballot access for the next four years. The threshold for this is 2%.
Because the LPIN did not achieve the 10% mark, their candidates do not participate in the primary system. The Primaries are closed party business funded by the taxpayer. The Libertarian Party selects its candidates at a state convention. Delegates are chosen by county parties, and those delegates then select state and federal candidates, including governor. Our 2012 convention will be held on April 14, 2012 in Indianapolis.
The Libertarian Party of Indiana welcomes candidates to seek our nomination. Until the vote to officially nominate candidates, the LPIN leadership remains neutral on candidates that wish to persuade delegate votes. At this time, no other Libertarian has filed an exploratory committee to seek the nomination for Governor.
Rupert Boneham has been a supporter and a member of the Libertarian Party for the better part of a year. He has contributed both financially and with his time. He’s attended fairs, parades, and conventions to help bring awareness to our party. His public declaration to seek the nomination has generated a great deal of excitement both inside and outside the Libertarian Party.
About the Libertarian Party
The Libertarian Party is America, and Indiana’s, third largest political party founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. Its vision is for a world in which all individuals can freely exercise the natural right of sole dominion over their own lives, liberty and property by building a political party that elects Libertarians to public office, and moving public policy in a libertarian direction.
The Libertarian Party of Indiana was formed in 1974, and has maintained ballot access since 1994. Sam Goldstein, an Indianapolis resident, currently serves as Chairman.
Learn what we stand for here.
Media Interview Contact: Sam Goldstein, State Chairman – (317) 850-0726 or Chris Spangle, Executive Director – (317) 920-1994 or cspangle@lpin.org