Northwest Michigan Libertarian Party
| Northwest Michigan Libertarian Party | |
| |
| General Information | |
| Jurisdiction: | Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee and Wexford Counties, Michigan |
| Established: | 2018 |
| Status: | Active |
| Officers | |
| Chair: | David Holmer |
| Vice-Chair: | Cory Dean |
| Secretary: | Philip Lindsay |
| Media | |
| Website: | Website |
Northwest Michigan Libertarian Party (NWMLP) is an active affiliate of the Libertarian Party of Michigan.
Leadership
As of March 2021
- David Holmer, Chair
- Cory Dean, Vice-Chair
- Philip Lindsay, Secretary
- Ben Boren, Outreach Director
- Andrew Hockshaw, At-Large Director
- Kyle Perrin, At-Large Director
Early History
Northwest Michigan Libertarians was a group that formed in early 2017 from over six years of grassroots work by activists, Ben Schultz and Donna Gundle-Krieg. Their mission was to spread libertarian ideas throughout Northwest Michigan.[1] In April, the Chair of the Libertarian Party of Michigan, Bill Gelineau visited the group and gave them 5 delegate positions at the upcoming 2017 Lansing State Convention.[2]
On January 16, 2018, the Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Michigan, Gregory Stempfle gave an online presentation for the group about elections in northwest Michigan and filing requirements.[3] As a result, two libertarians were elected precinct delegates: Donna Gundle-Krieg for Antrim County[4] and David Holmer for Manistee County[5].
On March 27, David Holmer became the group's first Libertarian candidate for public office, announcing his bid for Manistee County Commissioner at a local library board meeting.[6] He also campaigned against the library millage based on libertarian platform of limited government and taxation is theft.[7] And, on April 26, Donna Gundle-Krieg represented the Libertarian viewpoint and party platform around limited government for Traverse City's "That's Debatable" event.[8] The event was two two-person teams facing off in formal debate, arguing the pros and cons of mandatory national service.[9]
In July, the group was given an additional two positions, bringing their total to seven delegates for the 2018 Romulus State Convention.[10] And, on August 25, delegates supported Bill Gelineau's nomination of Angelique Thomas for Lieutenant Governor and Gregory Stempfle on his nomination for Secretary of State.[11]
The group's largest event was on September 12, with Bill Gelineau returning to northwest Michigan as the Libertarian candidate for Governor for a public forum in Manistee, Michigan.[12] Also, Gregory Stempfle participated in the forum as the Libertarian candidate for Secretary of State, alongside David Holmer as the Libertarian candidate for Manistee County Commissioner and a number of city officials.[13]
In November, the group had two Libertarians on the ballot. Robert Clark ran for Arcadia Township Supervisor in a two-way race with a Republican. David Holmer ran for Manistee County Commissioner in a two-way race with a Democrat.[14]
2018 Candidates
- David Holmer, Manistee County Commissioner District 7 Results: 26.3% (294 votes)
- Robert Clark, Arcadia Township Supervisor (Manistee Co.) Results: 47.2% (218 votes)
Becoming an Affilliate
The Northwest Michigan Libertarian Party (NWMLP) was founded in November 2018. Its first affiliate chair was Donna Gundle-Krieg, who was succeeded by founding secretary Peter Biskupski.
In September, 2019, NWMLP held a BBQ Meet & Greet, which was attended by LEC members of the Libertarian Party of Michigan and Libertarian Presidential candidate Kim Ruff. It was considered a success with over three dozen attendees and gaining several new members of the Libertarian Party.[15]
2020 Candidates
- Ben Boren, US Representative Congressional District 1 Results: 1.5% (6,022 votes)
- Racin' Jason Crum, State Representative 104th District Results: 2.0% (1,194 votes)
- David Holmer, Manistee County Commissioner District 7 Results: 25.2% (308 votes)
- Donna Gundle-Krieg, Mancelona Township Trustee (Antrim Co.) Results: 54.4% (583 votes)
- Frank Pelky, Homestead Township Clerk (Benzie Co.) Results: 43.0% (525 votes)
- Cory Dean, Blair Township Trustee (Grand Traverse Co.) Results: 8.5% (1,056 votes)
Past Officers, Committee Members, and Other Contacts
- Chair
- Donna Gundle-Krieg, founding chair
- Peter Biskupski, (February 2020-March 2021)
- Vice-Chair
- Ben Boren, founding vice-chair
- Ben Schultz, (February 2020-March 2021)
- Secretary
- Peter Biskupski, founding secretary
- Kristen Kuhn, (February 2020-June 2020)
- David Holmer, (June 2020-March 2021)
- Treasurer
- Joe Hartman, founding treasurer
- Kristen Kuhn, (March 2019—February 2020)
- Political Director
- David Holmer, founding political director
- Donna Gundle-Krieg, (February 2020-March 2021)
- Outreach Director
- Ben Schultz, founding membership and outreach director
References
- ↑ Northwest Michigan Libertarians on Facebook
- ↑ Libertarians Meet State Chairman, Discuss Northwest Michigan Group, April 14, 2017.
- ↑ Running for Public Office in 2018 as a NW Michigan Libertarian, February 1, 2018.
- ↑ Antrim County 2018 Precinct Delegate Results, August 7, 2018.
- ↑ Manistee County 2018 Precinct Delegate Results, August 7, 2018.
- ↑ March 27, 2018 MCL Minutes
- ↑ Libertarian Candidate for Manistee County Commissioner Opposes Library Millage, July 3, 2018.
- ↑ Libertarian Included in That's Debatable Event in Traverse City, March 29, 2018.
- ↑ That's Debatable event, April 26, 2018.
- ↑ Northwest Michigan Libertarian Caucus to Chose Voting Delegates to State Convention, July 24, 2018.
- ↑ Libertarians Nominate Statewide Candidates for General Election, September 6, 2018.
- ↑ Libertarians to Host Public Forum for Upcoming Election, August 31, 2018.
- ↑ Stempfle Campaigns for Secretary of State in Northern Michigan, October 2, 2018.
- ↑ Northern Michigan Libertarians Do Well in Local Races, November 18, 2018.
- ↑ Northwest Michigan Libertarian BBQ Meet & Greet in Cadillac, September 8, 2019.
| Libertarian Party of Michigan | |
|---|---|
| Affiliates: | Capital Area • Huron-Raisin • Genesee • Jackson-Hillsdale • Livingston • Macomb • Northeast Lower Michigan • Northwest Michigan • Oakland • Southwest Michigan • Wayne • West Michigan • Straits Area |
| Former affiliates: | Kalamazoo • Saint Clair • South Central Michigan • Thumb Area • Tri-City • Washtenaw |
| Campus: | Delta • Ferris • Hillsdale • Michigan State • Northern Michigan at Marquette • Michigan at Ann Arbor • Michigan at Flint • Western Michigan |
| Other: | Election Results • Chairs |