Credentials Committee Chair Emily Salvette presented the credentials
report.
list of voting delegates approved by the Credentials Committee included
299 delegates and 5 alternates
with 304 people eligible to vote.
Michael Cloud presented the keynote address.
Thursday, May 3
9:00 am 9:30 am -10:30 am 10:30 am – noon Noon – 1:30 pm 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm Friday, May 4 9:00 am 9:00 am – noon Noon – 1:30 pm 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Saturday, May 5
Sunday, May 6 |
Call to Order Keynote Address Officer Reports, Bylaws and Rules Committee Report lunch adjournment Bylaws and Rules Committee Report (continued) Call to Order
|
Treasurer Bill Redpath presented the Treasurer’s report.
Dan Karlan as Chair of the Bylaws and Rules Committee began presentation of the committee’s report.
Lunch Break
Ms. Salvette presented an updated Credentials Committee report.
419 delegates and
10 alternates with 428 people eligible to vote.
May 4,
2012
Thomas Paine Award and Thomas Jefferson Leadership awards presented.
Convention called to order at 9:38 a.m..
Ms. Salvette presented an updated Credentials Committee report.
517 delegates and 12
alternates with 528 people eligible to vote.
Based on Credentials Committee report of 528 delegates, Secretary Alicia Mattson announced that 53 presidential tokens would be required for debate participation. The deadline for submission of these tokens is 3:00 pm today.
Ms. Salvette presented an updated Credentials
Committee report.
570 delegates and 11 alternates with 576 people eligible to
vote.
Ms.
Salvette presented an updated Credentials Committee report.
611 delegates and 4
alternates with 614 people eligible to vote.
> Presidential Nomination
Convention Rule 7.1 requires that to be nominated for President, a
candidate must receive at least 30
nomination tokens. Additional tokens had been turned in since the
end-of-day totals yesterday, and the final
Presidential nomination token counts are as follows:
Gary Johnson 264
Lee Wrights 127
Jim Burns 35
Carl Person 31
Sam Sloan 12
Rita Nunez Neumann 4
James Ogle 2
Jim Duensing, Roger Gary, Jim Gray, Ron Paul, Lori Anne Sunthonchart
and Joy Waymire 1 each
Speaking for the Lee Wrights nomination were: Less Antman (CA), Mary
Ruwart (TX) and Lee Wrights (TX)
Speaking for the Carl Person nomination were: Christopher Doscher (MD)
and Carl Person (NY)
Speaking for the Jim Burns nomination was: Jim Burns (NV)
Speaking for the Gary Johnson nomination were: Bill Redpath (VA), Ed
Clark (CA), and Gary Johnson (NM)
Roll-call
announcement of state delegation totals:
Candidate |
Votes |
Percentage |
Jim Burns |
12 |
2.017 |
Gary Johnson |
419 |
70.420 |
Carl Person |
3 |
0.504 |
Lee Wrights |
152 |
25.546 |
NOTA |
3 |
0.504 |
Ron Paul (w/in) |
1 |
0.168 |
Wayne Root (w/in) |
1 |
0.168 |
Max Abramson (w/in) |
2 |
0.336 |
Sam Sloan (w/in) |
2 |
0.336 |
Having received a majority of the 595 votes cast, Gary Johnson was elected as the 2012 Libertarian Party Presidential Nominee.
Gary Johnson’s acceptance speech; he advocated the nomination of Jim Gray as his Vice Presidential running mate.
Ms.
Salvette presented an updated Credentials
Committee report.
631 delegates and 2 alternates with 632 people eligible to vote.
> Vice Presidential Nomination
Convention Rule 7.4 requires that to be nominated for Vice-President, a
candidate must receive at least 30
nomination tokens. The Vice-Presidential nomination token counts are as
follows:
Jim Gray 242
Lee Wrights 120
Jim Burns 31
Sam Sloan 10
etc.
With 30 or more tokens, those nominated for Vice-President are Jim Gray, Lee Wrights, and Jim Burns.
Speaking for the Jim Gray nomination were: Jim Lark (VA), David
Bergland (CA), and Jim Gray (CA)
Speaking for the Lee Wrights nomination were: John Jay Myers (TX),
Nicholas Sarwark (CO) and Lee Wrights
(TX)
Speaking for the Jim Burns nomination was: Jim Burns (NV)
Laura Delhomme (VA) moved to suspend the rules for the rest of the convention to dispense with the state-by- state roll call for the remaining elections and instead have the Secretary announce the results. The motion was adopted by a voice vote.
Candidate |
Votes |
Percentage |
Jim Burns |
6 |
1.000 |
Jim Gray |
357 |
59.500 |
Lee Wrights |
229 |
38.167 |
NOTA |
7 |
1.167 |
Sam Sloan (w/in) |
1 |
0.167 |
Rebecca Sink-Burris (IN) and by Timothy Maguire (IN) nominated Mark
Rutherford.
Nick Sarwark (CO) nominated NOTA.
Pat Dixon (TX) nominated Mark Hinkle.
Speaking for the nomination of Mark Hinkle were: Michael Cloud (AZ),
Geoff Neale (TX) and Mark Hinkle (CA)
Speaking for the nomination of Mark Rutherford were: Jillian Mack (OH),
Carissa Pillow (CA) and Mark
Rutherford (IN)
Round 1
Candidate |
Votes |
Percentage |
Mark Hinkle |
221 |
40.109 |
Mark
Rutherford |
228 |
41.379 |
NOTA |
101 |
18.330 |
Bill Redpath
(w/in) |
1 |
0.181 |
Ms. Salvette presented an updated
Credentials Committee report.
590 delegates and 3
alternates with 592 people eligible to vote.
Motion to re-open nominations was
adopted with a voice vote.
Various individuals nominated and
some declined.
More rounds of voting.
Contact: Stephen Gordon
Kelly Dirkes
LAS VEGAS – The Libertarian
Party on Saturday nominated Judge James P. Gray of California for Vice
President of the United States, giving him a chance to take his agenda
of downsizing the federal government and marijuana decriminalization to
Washington.
Jim Gray was declared the party’s Vice Presidential nominee after he won 59 percent of the vote in the first round of balloting. He received 357 votes from the 600 delegates of the National Libertarian Convention held at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nev.
His closest challenger, Lee Wrights of Texas, finished second with 229 votes.
“I am proud. I am invigorated. I am excited. With Gov. Gary Johnson. I am determined to bring back prosperity and liberty to the United States of America.” Judge Gray said.
A successful jurist who lives in Newport Beach, Calif. and presided over the Superior Court of Orange County, Judge Gray has been active in the Libertarian Party for several decades.
He was the 2004 Libertarian Party candidate for the U.S. Senate in California challenging incumbent U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer. He is also the chief proponent of a California ballot initiative called “Regulate Marijuana Like Wine” that, if passed, would decriminalize cannabis consumption and production.
Judge Gray will form a Libertarian Party ticket with Gov. Gary Johnson, who won the party’s Presidential nomination earlier Saturday.
The delegates also gave a long and heartfelt standing ovation to runner up Lee Wrights.
“I’m not going anywhere,” said Wrights. “This is my home.”
R. Lee Wrights is a long-time Libertarian Party activist, writer and publisher of LibertyForAll.net.
“I am convinced that Jim Gray will be an exceptional candidate, and a very successful Vice President,” said Mark Hinkle, Libertarian Party Chair. “We have an impressive roster of talent this year to challenge our Big Government opponents not only in the race for the White House, but also in state and local races. The major parties offer Americans only one solution: Bigger government. Libertarians will show voters how we can make government small while dramatically increasing jobs, lowering taxes, and scaling back government debt.”
On Friday, the convention approved a new party platform, which denounced attempts by major U.S. political parties to grant to government the right to regulate the lives of individuals and seize the fruits of their labor without their consent.
The Libertarian Party insisted that individuals should be free to make choices for themselves and to accept responsibility for the consequences of the choices they make.
The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States, which is active in all 50 states and has more than 250,000 registered voters.
Libertarians call for ending government interference in personal, family and business decisions, much lower government spending, repeal of dangerous and unnecessary regulations, lower taxes, a currency free of government manipulation, free trade, and a peaceful, non-interventionist foreign policy.
Millions of Americans have voted for Libertarian Party candidates in past elections throughout the country, despite the fact that many state governments place roadblocks in order to keep third party candidates off the ballot and deprive voters of a real choice.
Additional information about the 2012 Libertarian National Convention can be found at www.LibertyWillWin.com.
Additional information about the Libertarian Party can be found at www.LP.org.
###
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Libertarian
Party
Nominates Gary Johnson for President
Contact: Stephen Gordon
Kelly DirkesLAS VEGAS - The Libertarian Party nominated former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson for President of the United States, expressing confidence he will be able to find effective small-government solutions to the country’s most pressing problems and mount a strong challenge to his major party rivals.
Mr. Johnson was declared the party’s Presidential nominee after he won 70% percent of the vote in the first round of balloting by the 595 delegates of the National Libertarian Convention held at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, NV.
His closest challenger, R. Lee
Wrights of Texas, finished second with 25% of the ballots.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Johnson promised to present a clear and viable alternative to major party candidates, saying his victory in November will offer Americans effective solutions to slow economic growth, high unemployment and endless foreign military commitments that sap the country’s financial strengths. America, for the first time in modern history, is poised to reject the tired two-party duopoly that has brought the nation to its knees economically.
“I am honored and I just want to pledge that no one will be disappointed. We’re going to grow the Libertarian Party.” said Mr. Johnson.
A successful businessman who lives in Taos, NM, Mr. Johnson is known as an unwavering crusader for fiscal responsibility, free enterprise and individual freedoms. During his gubernatorial tenure, he used his veto pen more than 750 times to forestall attempts to grow government and put an end to wasteful government projects. He cut taxes 14 while maintaining New Mexico as one of only four states in the country with a balanced budget. The state boasted a $1 billion budget surplus when Mr. Johnson left office in 2003.
The nominee’s biography can be found at garyjohnson2012.com/about
Mr. Johnson’s running mate will be chosen later today and can be watched live on C-Span. If no candidate for Vice President attains a majority on the first ballot, the candidate finishing last will be eliminated from the race. In addition, any candidate polling less than 5 percent will also be eliminated from the subsequent ballot. A candidate securing a majority of convention delegates will be the Vice Presidential nominee.
“I am convinced that Gary Johnson will be an exceptional candidate, and a very successful President,” said Mark Hinkle, Libertarian Party Chair. “We have an impressive roster of talent this year to challenge our Big Government opponents not only in the race for the White House, but also in state and local races. The major parties offer Americans only one solution: Bigger government. Libertarians will show voters how we can make government small while dramatically increasing jobs, lowering taxes, and scaling back government debt.”
Yesterday the convention approved a new party platform, which leaves unchanged the fundamental tenants of the Libertarian Party: Individuals should be free to make choices for themselves and to accept responsibility for the consequences of the choices they make. Changes adopted by party delegates were generally ones that improve the wording or clarity of the party’s intent to advance liberty and shrink Big Government. One significant change adopted was to add ballot initiatives to the party’s mission.
The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States, which is active in all 50 states and has more than 250,000 registered voters.
Libertarians call for ending government interference in personal, family and business decisions, much lower government spending, repeal of dangerous and unnecessary regulations, lower taxes, a currency free of government manipulation, free trade, and a peaceful, non-interventionist foreign policy.
Millions of Americans have voted for Libertarian Party candidates in past elections throughout the country, despite the fact that many state governments place roadblocks in order to keep third party candidates off the ballot and deprive voters of a real choice.
Additional information about the 2012 Libertarian National Convention can be found at www.LibertyWillWin.com.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Libertarian National Convention Chooses Presidential Debaters
Contact: Stephen Gordon
LAS VEGAS – Delegates of the National Libertarian Convention here Friday chose two participants of a presidential debate that will precede elections of the Libertarian Party’s Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees.
The debate, a key event in the nominating process, will begin at 6:00 P.M. Friday, May 4th at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nev. and will broadcast live on C-Span It will be moderated by David Bergland, a former party National Chair and the 1984 presidential nominee.
According to the results of a secret vote, taking part in tonight’s debate will be:
Gary Johnson, a former two-term governor for New Mexico, whose frequent use of the veto pen has earned him the nickname of “Governor Veto.” He cut taxes 14 times while never raising them. See also www.garyjohnson2012.com
R. Lee Wrights, a long-time Libertarian Party activist, writer and publisher. Mr. Wrights has dedicated his life and career to promoting the ideas of small government and individual freedom. See also LibertyForAll.net
“Everything points to a vigorous, interesting debate,” said Mark Hinkle, Libertarian Party Chair. “Both the debaters are seasoned politicians with solid Libertarian credentials. We’re looking forward to a campaign that will showcase our beliefs and values. We’re the small government alternative to Big Government Democrats and Republicans, which resonates with millions of voters who are deeply concerned with our weak economy and who fear it will get worse.”
The debaters were selected by convention delegates in a secret ballot, in which a candidate needed to score10 percent of the vote or higher to be allowed to take part.
While participation in the debate does not guarantee nomination for President, the poll serves as an important indicator of delegate preferences.
The Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees will be elected at the convention Saturday through independent voting processes starting with the presidential nomination. In the Libertarian Party, the Presidential nominee does not choose his or her running mate.
Party rules call for selecting the nominees through several rounds of balloting. If no candidate for President or Vice President attains a majority on the first ballot, the candidate finishing last will be eliminated from the race. In addition, any candidate polling less than 5 percent will also be eliminated from the subsequent ballot. A candidate securing a majority of convention delegates will be the nominee. All elections are being conducted at no expense to taxpayers.
The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States, which is active in all 50 states and has more than 250,000 registered voters.
Libertarians call for ending government interference in personal, family and business decisions, much lower government spending, repeal of dangerous and unnecessary regulations, lower taxes, a currency free of government manipulation, free trade, and a peaceful, non-interventionist foreign policy.
Millions of Americans have voted for Libertarian Party candidates in past elections throughout the country, despite the fact that many state governments place roadblocks in order to keep third party candidates off the ballot and deprive voters of a real choice.
Additional information about the 2012 Libertarian National Convention
can be found at www.LibertyWillWin.com.
The convention, themed Liberty Will Win, coincides with the 40th anniversary of the party, which is celebrated by Libertarians across the country.
Between 600 and 700 delegates from all parts of the country are expected to take part. The keynote address “Big Government is the Disease; Voting Libertarian Is the Only Cure” will be delivered at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, May 3rd by Michael Cloud, a veteran party strategist and communications expert.
“We’re anticipating one of the most exciting conventions ever,” said Mark Hinkle, Libertarian Party Chair. “We have strong candidates and a growing number of independents, Tea Party faithful, disaffected Republicans, and anti-war, anti-crony-capitalism Democrats looking to us to field true liberty candidates. We’re the small government alternative to Big Government Democrats and Republicans, which resonates with millions of voters who are deeply concerned with our weak economy and who fear it will get worse.”
The Libertarian Party’s nominating process differs significantly from that of the Republican and Democratic Parties.
Both the Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees are elected at the convention through independent voting processes starting with the presidential nomination. The Presidential nominee does not choose his or her running mate.
This year’s contenders for appearing on the stage include, in alphabetical order, Libertarian activist and Marine veteran Jim Burns, former New Mexico Governor and businessman Gary Johnson, computer programmer Scott Keller, voting systems activist James Ogle, attorney and Army veteran Carl Person, businessman Leroy Saunders, Libertarian activist Sam Sloan, documentary producer Bill Still, Tea Party activist Joy Waymire, and writer, Libertarian activist, and Air Force veteran R. Lee Wrights.
Party rules call for selecting the nominees after the debate through several rounds of balloting. If no candidate for President or Vice President attains a majority on the first ballot, the candidate finishing last will be eliminated from the race. In addition, any candidate polling less than five percent will also be eliminated from the subsequent ballot. A candidate securing a majority of convention delegates’ votes will be the nominee.
“We have an impressive roster of talent this year to challenge our Big Government opponents not only in the race for the White House, but also in state and local races,” noted Mr. Hinkle. “The major parties offer Americans only one solution: Bigger government. Libertarians will show voters how we can make government small while dramatically increasing jobs, lowering taxes, and scaling back government debt.”
The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States, which is active in all 50 states and has more than 250,000 registered voters.
Libertarians call for ending government interference in personal, family and business decisions, much lower government spending, repeal of dangerous and unnecessary regulations, lower taxes, a currency free of government manipulation, free trade, and a peaceful, non-interventionist foreign policy.
Millions of Americans have voted for Libertarian Party candidates in past elections throughout the country, despite the fact that many state governments place roadblocks in order to keep third party candidates off the ballot and deprive voters of a real choice.
Additional information about the 2012 Libertarian National Convention can be found at www.LibertyWillWin.com.