Libertarian Senate Candidate Doubles Total Funds Reported
On Thursday, U.S. Senate candidate Dale Kerns (L-PA) announced that his campaign is reporting over $35,000 in funds to the Federal Election Commission since the beginning of July, setting a new record for a single quarter by a third-party U.S. Senate candidate in Pennsylvania.
Said Kerns, “We don’t have the luxury that our two opponents have to just be able to turn to lobbyists, special interests, and Super PACs. Our campaign relies purely on everyday Pennsylvanians who have given their time and money to support our message.”
With this strong fundraising quarter, the Libertarian candidate is easily on pace to be the most successful third-party candidate for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania in nearly a century. Kerns and his team look to make a splash in debates hosted by KDKA (Pittsburgh) and WPVI (Philadelphia) in October. “When I get to face Senator Casey and Representative Barletta face-to-face next month on those debate stages, they will no longer be able to hide behind their talking points. They will have to answer to the constituents whom they have failed for decades.”
Kerns has largely spread his name around the Commonwealth through his “Addiction is Not a Crime” town hall meetings, wherein he has spoken to Pennsylvanians about the dangers of the War on Drugs, including how it has negatively impacted his own family. Of the three candidates in November’s race, Kerns is the only one who has proposed overhauling the American drug system to mirror the rehabilitative models in Portugal and Switzerland.
The good fundraising news for the Kerns campaign comes on the heels of the announcement by Muhlenberg College that he is gaining in the polls. In the survey conducted September 13–19, Kerns is the option of 5% of yet-to-decide likely voters when they were asked which candidate they are leaning toward supporting. Casey earns only 22% of those voters, while Barletta receives the support of 14%. A whopping 54% remain unsure of even which way they lean, showing likely upside for Kerns, as he has not received even a fraction of the coverage of the other two candidates.
Kerns is indeed in the final stretch of his already-historic campaign and catching the attention of voters across Pennsylvania. In these last few weeks, he urges Pennsylvanians to register to vote and view his website, DaleKerns.com, for more information on his campaign.
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Last election, using a quirk in Pennsylvania election law, my current opponent appeared on the ballot under both the Republican Party and Democratic Party tickets, making a serious run for office by an opponent impossible.
During this year’s primary — a closed one, that only Democrats and Republicans are allowed to participate in — I attempted a write-in campaign as a Democrat. My aim was to either appear on the ballot as a Democrat, or, more importantly, to garner enough write-in votes to deny my opponent a ballot slot as a Democrat (in addition to her Republican slot). We were successful in the latter endeavor. This was accomplished in an election where I couldn’t even vote for myself!
My supporters and I then set out and collected enough signatures to secure “ballot access” as a Libertarian, all in accordance with existing Pennsylvania election laws.
In contrast to previous contests for this particular state house seat, November 6 will culminate a two-way race between my six-term Republican opponent and me: Republican vs. Libertarian. No Democrat . . . or anyone else, for that matter.
Over the last few years, I’ve hosted two FM broadcast radio shows, one on 94.3 FM and the other on a local college station. Our homegrown publications, The NEPA Visitor (
www.nepavisitor.com) and Seeker Magazine (
www.theseekermag.com), have become quite popular. Not only do I write columns for them, but I also work with local businesses, animal shelters, veterans groups, and nonprofits, mailing over 7,000 copies of the publications every two months throughout our local communities. In addition to those media efforts I’m also a manager at one of the area’s most popular restaurants. All of this has given me pretty good name recognition in my own little fishpond.
They say that politics makes for strange bedfellows, and in my case that’s certainly true, having won the support of Democrats, local Tea Party groups, business owners, college students, and lots of Republicans and independents.
I have as good of a chance as anyone to make history here: never before has a Libertarian been elected as a Libertarian Party candidate to a state house seat, anywhere in the country. I am convinced that to accomplish this feat I need to raise the money to run TV and radio advertisements.
I have a professional production crew from the local college ready to go.
I know this is doable, and will keep everyone updated as we move forward.
Please consider helping . . . you can do so by going to
www.loujasikoff.com, or by mailing a donation here:
Vote Jasikoff
PO Box 214
Factoryville, PA 18419
The goal in this is to tell the story without the feelings this story created. (Anger, frustration, sadness, etc)
This past weekend, 3 lawyers told me that it was better to concede the ballot than to go to court, be tossed from the ballot and be forced to pay fees along with opposing counsel’s court costs (which were pretty substantial.)
First let me talk about the Libertarian Party in Bucks County. It is not a large group, and there are few resources. Montgomery County is in a much better position, but there were candidates running there as well, and as for the state organization, again, it is small with few resources, but those resources it DID use to help as much as it was able.
It has been 14 years since a Libertarian candidate for Congress has achieved the ballot at all, here in Bucks. When petitioning, I did not think I was going to make it, but the week before, the entirety of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania petition drive was all over my house in stacks. We sorted, we counted, we scanned. There were several nights where there were 5 counties represented in my living room, and most of us were all up till 2 AM. It was during this time that I discovered that my signature count was 1100, and I had one more weekend along with a couple days to gather the rest needed. On the 31st of July, it was a Tuesday, at 5 PM, I got the signature that put me at the bare minimum, and, somehow, that next day, a volunteer turned in 1547 for me. Upon his arrival, he noticed a group of people standing there at the Department of State, in Harrisburg, and they were waiting to examine and challenge my signatures. We knew they were there for mine, because I was the last person to turn in signatures. (final deadline being 5PM that day)
I had not heard anything from anyone, so I thought maybe Brian was true to his word when he said he would help me get on the ballot last year, but all of that changed when I received the challenge being pushed forward by Michael Fitzpatrick’s law firm, Obermeyer, Rebmann, Maxwell, and Hipple.
They were challenging 429 of my signatures, and asked me if I was going to be represented by counsel. I responded that absolutely I would, but my counsel was unable to appear at activities like visiting the department of elections for the day in Montgomery County and again in Bucks County. (would have been something like a $5000 day to go and be represented.. Again, party with few resources) I then discussed a thought I had to challenge the 1440 requirement as an arbitrary number since there is a district in Philadelphia that has more voters but has a requirement of 1000. I found out later that the PA Supreme Court set the number in the first place, so if I lost and appealed to the PA Supreme Court, most likely I would lose that as they would never vote to overturn their own ruling. (non-starter.) So when the Judge in the case, Ellen Ceisler, granted a motion to compel me to participate in all of it, regardless of my job (not a career politician) and cost to me personally, or be hit with fees, the 3 attorneys I was speaking with told me it was better to cede the ballot....
Instead, I decided that I would make due with what I have and work on a write in campaign, and use any money raised to go toward literature and pens with my name spelled correctly! Even though it is done with a sort of keyboard, a pen with my name on and the “Your Life Your Way” slogan on it seems appropriate.
So there it is. I will continue to campaign, and I will be looking for places to meet as many of you as I can! Three gentlemen and a woman have been helping me on my campaign so far, and I wanted to thank them for everything they have done and continue to do! This does not happen in a vacuum, and at the end of everything, I want people to vote for me because they believe that my ideas are actually OUR ideas. I love going to work each day doing what I do, I want to go to DC and work to get the state out of MY life along with everyone else in our home district. I love living here in Langhorne, by the Neshaminy Creek, and one thing that everyone can count on is knowing where I live, and having a way to communicate with me. I have had the same cell number since…. OK, for 20 years! It is not changing, and while I may not answer, text me, I will make myself available. Being elected means that I will be representing the people of the first above all else, and my goal will always remain to make things better for my having worked on them.
To those of you supporting me, PLEASE continue! It will be more difficult now, but we need to be represented in DC, and the establishment is working hard to protect the interests of the establishment. They will use whatever method that makes it easier for them to ignore different ideas, and competition entering into the political market place. Regardless, and I cannot stress this enough, if we do not work to change the way things are done, we will continue to see that $21 Trillion in Debt and $120 Trillion in unfunded liabilities will continue to grow!
Again, thank you all for your continued support. This is not about me, this is about us. If you want to meet up, or you have an event in your area, 610-636-8039
Sincerely,
Steve Scheetz
The nominating papers for the Libertarian Candidate for Congress, Steve Scheetz in the 1st district have been challenged in commonwealth court by Lawrence Tabas.
“Tabas is a Republican hired gun.” Stated LPPA Secretary Steven Brenize “His clients include the President and Vice President of United States. He served as Lead Counsel to President-Elect Trump and Vice President-Elect Pence in connection with pre- and post election litigation matters in 2016 and numerous recount proceedings filed in Pennsylvania following the November 2016 Election. His purpose in filing the challenge has nothing to do with Mr. Scheetz’s nominating papers. The purpose of the challenge is to assert Republican dominance over already stacked ballot access laws against 3rd parties and independents.”
There has not been an independent or 3rd party on the ballot for congress in Bucks County since 2004. The Scheetz candidacy represents an opportunity for voters to have an alternative to the destructive rhetoric that is plaguing Washington. “A large percentage of Americans are not being represented by government because of these underhanded tactics. Everyone deserves the right to be represented in the electoral process. Many of the problems that we are facing today are due to those in power silencing anyone who adheres to a differing philosophy. Let us gain the ballot and debate.” Said Jennifer Moore, Eastern Vice-Chair of the LPPA “If the opposition really does have the best message they shouldn't need to worry about Libertarians gaining the ballot. The voters deserve to make their own choices on the candidates and issues.”
Scheetz, a military veteran, resides in Langhorne. He is running on a platform that stems from the Libertarian Non-Aggression Principle which states: “I refuse to initiate the use of force or fraud to achieve my goals.” “Everyone will know how I will vote on an issue and will know exactly where my position is, because it will start and finish with this principle, and it will end with the thought: “People are in a better position to run their lives than the government. They should be able to run their lives their way provided they are not interfering with other people living their lives their way.” said Scheetz, “Simply put, do not harm others and do not take their stuff!”
“Typical bullying. The GOP constantly challenges Libertarian Candidates. Our candidates and volunteers work very hard and in good faith to get 2-5 times the signatures that the D's and R's need for ballot access.” Added Drew Bingaman Chair of the LPPA in response to the Tabas challenge. “It is time to end this ridiculous system of having to gather thousands of signatures in order to achieve ballot access. The Libertarian Party is a legitimate and qualified political party in the Commonwealth of PA and across the nation.”
For additional information about the Scheetz Campaign visit www.stevefor1.com
On Friday July 29th two Delaware County Libertarians submitted more than twice the required signatures to be placed on the ballot this November. W. David Medina of Ridley Township filed for Representative in the General Assembly for the 162nd . Dale Kerns Jr of Ridley Township filed for United States Senator. The two Libertarian candidates are committed to being fiscally responsible, supporting civil liberties, and promoting free market - smaller government principles. The candidates have until August 1st to add to their already abundant signature total.
- David Medina is a resident of Ridley Township and has worked with Special Needs families in his own business for 19 years.
His wife, Maria, works for DowDupont in Wilmington, Delaware and his two daughters have attended Leedom Elementary School. His oldest daughter has also attended Ridley Middle School and Ridley High School. His daughters have played soccer for Ridley United Soccer Club.
A dedicated family man, Medina is committed to improving the quality of life for Delaware County families through job creation, economic development and reducing wasteful government spending.
Medina is an Honors Graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Best Selling Author. More info can be found at https://www.facebook.com/MedinaForHouse/
Dale Kerns Jr is a resident of Ridley Township and has worked in the construction industry since he was a teenager. Dale Kerns is a Project Manager for the Tri-M Group of Kennett Square, and a Board of Directors Member for the Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County.
His wife Nicole is an Interventional Radiological Technician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. They reside with their two daughters Hailey & Sophia and their German Shepherd Luke.
Dale Kerns’ first love is his family; but he is committed to ending the war on drugs with his bill “Addiction is Not a Crime”, bringing higher paying jobs to the residents of Pennsylvania and Delaware County by removing the cronyism between lobbyists and Washington DC, and has promised not to take a pension or healthcare.
Dale Kerns is a graduate of Ridley High School and former Student of Widener University. More info can be found at http://www.DaleKerns.com
Find out more about the Libertarian Party Principles at www.LPPA.org and www.Delco4Liberty.com
ABINGTON, PA – “Out of control!”, insisted Ken Krawchuk, the Libertarian Party candidate for Pennsylvania Governor. “The drug war is out of control. The police are out of control. Pennsylvania’s leadership is out of control. It’s long past time we bring some sanity back to the Commonwealth. It’s long past time to vote Libertarian. Enough is enough!”
Krawchuk’s comments were made at a recent ballot access rally regarding yet another killing by police in Pennsylvania.
“The situation is nothing short of ludicrous. A Game Commission employee somehow decided a parked car was “suspicious”—don’t ask me how—and called the cops. Even though there was no evidence of any wrongdoing, the state police dispatched a helicopter and commandeered a bulldozer to locate the owner. Well, they found him – when they ran him over with the bulldozer and killed him! Their justification? They claim to have found ten cannabis plants in the area.
“Questions abound. Why bother chasing a random citizen through the woods? How do they know he had any connection to the plants? And only ten plants? Did they find them after killing an unarmed man or beforehand? Regardless, cannabis is not a dangerous drug—except when the police are around—and not worth the time, cost, and effort of enforcing such insane prohibitions. That’s why I’ve pledged to pardon every single non-violent drug offender on my first day in office. When a Libertarian Governor is elected in Pennsylvania, this insane War on Drugs is going to end.
“And it’s not only this bulldozer killing that highlights how out of control the police are. Earlier this month a Lancaster cop tasered an unarmed, compliant man— in the back! Just before that, an East Pittsburgh cop shot and killed an unarmed man—again in the back! I predict that in all three of these cases—bulldozering, tasering, and killing—the police will be exonerated. Why? Because they were following quote-unquote, “standard police procedure.” They were following the law. Well, those laws are flat out wrong, as demonstrated by the growing number of deaths at the hands of Pennsylvania’s Finest. It’s obvious we needs a complete overhaul of how police can be permitted to operate.
For starters, instead of having the power to use any necessary force to make an arrest, police should only be permitted to use any necessary force to save lives. It’s not the arrest that matters; rather, it’s paramount for police to protect Pennsylvanians. And when I’m elected governor, I’ll work to bring the law into step with sanity.
“Society used to tolerate the persecution of gays and minorities. Fortunately, the laws are finally moving beyond that ancient hatred. Society used to tolerate sexual harassment of women. Fortunately, social mores are finally moving beyond that heartless insensitivity. And similarly, when it comes to these out of control Cowboy Cops, we as a society must move beyond tolerating such cruelty at the hands of those sworn to protect us. And the only way to make sure we survive to see that day is to vote Libertarian.”
Krawchuk, 65, is an Information Technology entrepreneur from Abington, Pa. He has appeared on the gubernatorial ballot twice before, facing Democrat Ed Rendell in 2002 and Republican Tom Ridge in 1998. Because of Pennsylvania’s onerous ballot access laws, Krawchuk is the last third party or independent gubernatorial candidate to appear on the Pennsylvania ballot since 2002. His return to politics comes on the heels of his federal court victory in 2016 that ruled unconstitutional the $80,000+ fines that have been levied against statewide candidates who are unsuccessful in their attempt to appear on the November ballot.
Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the state and the nation, with over 150 elected and appointed officials currently serving in office nationwide, and 40 in Pennsylvania. Libertarians are fiscally conservative and socially liberal, and like the Founding Fathers, Libertarians believe that you have the inalienable right to conduct your life as you see fit, without interference, so long as you respect the rights and property of others.
For more information about the Libertarian Party, the public is invited to contact the Krawchuk campaign at www.KenK4Pa.com, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or (224) Krawchuk (224-572-9248), the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania at www.LpPa.org or (800) R-RIGHTS, or the National Libertarian Party at www.Lp.org or (202) 333-0008.
Krawchuk appears weekly on a Facebook livestream at 8 PM every Wednesday night, https://facebook.com/KenK4Pa.
Fellow Libertarians,
As you may know, in order for voters to have a third choice this November, our candidates must petition for ballot access. Prior to debates and political ads, our campaign season begins with circulating nomination papers. This year, we need to collect 5,000 valid signatures in order for our statewide candidates to gain the ballot, more than double the requirement for the two major parties. With strict paperwork guidelines and legal challenges, this equates to about 10,000 signatures in order to give us a buffer in the event some of the signatures are disqualified.
The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania is committed to helping our candidates achieve ballot access. Our volunteers have been working tirelessly, but more is needed. In order for our candidates to appear on your November ballot, we need your help.
Please consider contributing to our effort to hire professional petitioners. $3 buys us a signature. $150 will fill a nomination paper with signatures for our candidates. Any amount brings us a step closer to seeing Libertarians on every ballot in Pennsylvania.
In 2017, Pennsylvania Libertarians won more elected seats than any other state in the union, proving we can win and Americans do desire change. To continue this trend, however, we must gain the ballot.
Please support ballot access for our candidates. We have some exciting campaigns in 2018 and our movement is gaining momentum. We are witnessing a political shift within our nation. Freedom is an American value to which so many only pay lip service. Fortunately, our candidates and activists understand what it means to live free. Let’s put candidates who represent Libertarian principles on the ballot this fall!
In Liberty,
The Finance/Fundraising Committee, Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
Alison Smeltz, Chair
To contribute, please visit: www.lppa.org/index.php/home/donate
Submitted by William Bowers -- Mifflin County
During the April 6th and 7th weekend, the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference gave a great opportunity to all grass-roots activists and groups. The conference invites individuals from across Pennsylvania to interact with movers and shakers in the conservative movement. Attendees also were able to network with volunteers from various think-tanks and advocacy groups at information booths during breaks in the program. The most important panel on Friday featured Senators running for office this year including Lou Barletta, Jim Christiana, and the Libertarian candidate Dale Kerns. Each candidate received positive response from the audience. The largest roar that filled the room came from Kerns, who made principles statement after principled statement, building to when he made the declaration to support legislation to remove pensions from career politicians. His only negative response came while talking about opposing the wall on the southern border, but he stood his ground and presented libertarian principles on the issue.
The second day held the clash of Pennsylvania's candidates for Governor. Many gathered to the ball room to witness the candidates expressive opinions for their platforms. Starting off with Laura Ellsworth adding her input, expressing her views, and allowing the audience to know her name. Libertarian candidate Ken Krawchuk was up second and he used visuals of all kinds to push his beliefs ahead of his opponents. He used the opportunity to implore those in the crowd to look further into topics that they may not agree with him on, like that of ending the war on drugs. He crowning moment was when he said of federal grant money, "the feds say 'here have some federal funding' like a drug dealer saying hey have some drugs," its not going to hurt", next thing you know you're addicted to federal funding, and I think thats the case now. We have to end that addiction now". This statement certainly ignited the crowd with claps and cheers. Creating a rush that not many libertarian candidates can do to a Conservative crowd. The Governors panel ended with Mango and Wagner focused about the controversy of an ad campaign and disagreements over who was the most phony.
As a newcomer to the party I found the weekend to be very successful. The spark of new ideas lit the torch of liberty resulting in future development opportunities for the Libertarian Party. Many Conservatives heard the policies and topics from our side for the first time and as Ken Krawchuk likes to say many of them found out that 'We are all Libertarians'
April 5, 2018, Lehigh Valley, PA – Tim Silfies interviewed hundreds of citizens in our community as the Business Reporter for WFMZ-TV. He brought to the small screen some of our best success stories, but also discovered some common, troubling themes.
Over and over, he heard from business owners frustrated by the way government holds them back. Time after time, Tim listened to his neighbors talk about their growing disgust with our broken two-party system and how establishment politicians do not represent them.
People fed up with voting for the lesser of two evils now have another choice.
Today, Tim is announcing his decision to leave his career at WFMZ to enter the race for the 7th Congressional District, independent of the two major parties.
“Politicians today only protect the Democratic and Republican establishment, rigging the system for themselves, big business, and the well-connected,” Silfies says. “They leave all of us behind with mountains of debt, endless war, and bloated, ineffective government.”
Tim grew up in the Lehigh Valley, graduating from Liberty High School. At Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network, Tim worked closely with journalist John Stossel, and co-created the prime time shows “The Independents” and “Kennedy”. Throughout his career, Tim observed firsthand how common sense limited government, when it protects economic and personal liberty, sets the stage for individuals to prosper on their own.
Tim joins the slate of Republicans and Democrats as the sole independent voice in the race for the 7th Congressional District and will appear on the November ballot as the Libertarian Party nominee.
Contact: Tim Silfies (484) 403-0779, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The LPPA NEEDS YOUR HELP petitioning its statewide candidates onto the ballot.
- Dale Kerns for U.S. Senate. Link.
- Ken Krawchuk for Governor. Link.
- Kathy Smith for Lieutenant Governor.
We are still looking for candidates for State Representative, State Senate, and U.S. Congress in many districts. Please fill out this form if you might be interested in running for office and want more information.
We need to collect 5,000 valid signatures on our minor party nomination paper from registered voters throughout Pennsylvania by August 1. This translates to 8,333 to 10,000 raw signatures to give us a reasonable buffer if some signatures are challenged.
Please download our statewide nomination paper and print it out on double sided legal paper.
Read more ...
(Harrisburg, PA) – The 2018 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference is now just two weeks away on April 6th and 7th at the Radisson Penn Harris Convention Center. The conference will be headlined by featured speakers including Fox News contributor Byron York, former U.S. Senator Tom Coburn now with Convention of States, Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA, Congressman Scott Perry, author Greg Wrightstone and John Gizzi of Newsmax.
Mac Zimmerman, Vice President of Legislative Affairs at Americans for Prosperity and former Congressman Phil English, co-chairman of the government relations practice at Arent Fox will have a Conversation on Tax Reform; and Brianna Walden of the Charles Koch Institute will have a conversation on Safe Streets & Second Chances with John Koufos from Right on Crime.
The 2018 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference will include a U.S. Senate candidate forum, and a gubernatorial candidate forum. The U.S. Senate forum including Congressman Lou Barletta, State Representative Jim Christiana, businessman Joe Vodvarka, and Libertarian Party nominee Dale Kerns will be moderated by nationally syndicated radio talk show host Rose Tennent; and the gubernatorial forum including attorney Laura Ellsworth, businessman Paul Mango, State Senator Scott Wagner, and Libertarian Party nominee Ken Krawchuk will be moderated by Philadelphia talk show host Dom Giordano.
Candidates for Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania, including businessman Jeff Bartos, consultant Kathy Coder, education consultant Peg Luksik and Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan will make brief comments during the Saturday breakfast.
The conference will include four interactive panel presentations including Protecting Freedom of Speech moderated by Michael Geer of the Pennsylvania Family Institute; When in the Course of Human Events (limited state constitutional convention, Convention of States) moderated by Leo Knepper from the Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania; Lessons in Reform (How Other States Did It) moderated by Lenny McAllister of the Commonwealth Foundation, and Pursuit of Happiness (Reform efforts including education, business climate, regulations & Welfare) moderated by State Representative Kristin Phillips-Hill.
This year’s Pennsylvania Leadership Conference will also feature four workshop sessions for attendees including How Do We Experience Change presented by Americans for Prosperity-PA and the Grassroots Leadership Academy; Influence of the Reformation on American Liberty presented by the Constitutional Organization of Liberty; Protecting Student Safety, Privacy and Constitutional Freedoms presented by the Pennsylvania Family Institute and Campaign Planning to Win presented by American Majority.
Additional speakers will be announced over the coming weeks.
The Pennsylvania Leadership Conference is the premiere gathering of public policy conservatives each year in the Keystone State. It is the largest and longest-running of the state-based conservative conferences regularly attracting a long list of conservative elected officials, scholars, journalists and activists for two days of speeches, panel presentations, workshops and networking.
Registration for the conference is now open at www.paleadershipconference.org
By Sonja Dagny Yago
What a great weekend at the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania's convention in Shippensburg, PA!
Did you attend and make new friends or gain clarity on a libertarian concept, leadership, or how you can get more involved? If not, you missed out!
Libertarian Governor candidate Ken Krawchuk was there advocating for liberty, smaller government, and, of course, the Toast Masters!
There were inspiring and informing speakers as young as 17, much older (we won't say how old!), and ages in between!
We even had Libertarian "Not- Presidential" hopeful Adam Kokesh from Arizona not only visit and speak but also join our state party.
The Vice Chair debate was another highlights of the first day, with four candidates giving their perspective on the libertarian party, the liberty movement, and how the national can support our state parties. Sitting chair Arvin Vohra and challengers Alex Merced, Joe Hauptmann, and Steve Scheetz were all informed, unique, and compelling.
Women were also represented in the audience and with Kathleen Smith, our candidate for Lieutenant Governor, speaking.
Michael Heise of Lancaster County, founder of the Libertarian Party Mises Caucus and 2018 US Senate candidate Dale Kerns of Delaware County also spoke and then-Congressional candidate Drew Gray Miller led our fund-raising auction near the end of the day.
The first day was definitely filled with a number of opportunities to hear many perspective and updates on the national and state parties and the libertarian movement and culture, too.
We also had speaker Carol Kuniholm, chair of Fair Districts PA , update us on state politics concerning district gerrymandering and Jerry Feaser talked about how to work with the local Bureau of Registration and Elections. With both, there was a lot of information on what we can do to help promote policies that support greater liberty and make our voices for liberty heard throughout our state.
Over all, it was a liberty-loving, festive day that was also very informative and entertaining. There was also plenty of time for connecting with speakers and other attendees. People are very friendly and welcoming when you talk with them but also will respect your desire to sit quietly in reflection with your own ideas if that's what you prefer.
The second day was business. This day was a bit more formal. If you're familiar with the Robert's Rules of Order, you'll have an easier time understanding what's going on and the rules for who speaks when, how, and why. This is the day of focused work - discerning if we'll support certain candidates or not, hearing reports of our officers, and making any other decisions deemed necessary as the day progresses.
On this second day, if you are a voting member and relatively new to being active politically, then there's an extra bit of joyful thrill in casting your votes because you know you are participating in supporting liberty with every vote you cast. This can't necessarily be said so consistently at the election ballot when you're voting in other types of elections, so when you have a day where you get to do nothing but be certain that your vote is a clear vote for liberty, it is very heart-warming and thrilling, especially the first time.
What rang clear as officers and candidates spoke was that we are at a wonderful turning point. We have a lot more clarity on how we need to organize and present our party more professionally and our leadership is focused and highly motivated.
Clearly the members of our state party agreed with their vision and commitment as several members currently sitting on the Board won a second term.
Ken Krawchuk (for Governor), Kathleen Smith (for Lieutenant Governor), and Dale Kerns (for US Senate) were officially nominated. In accepting her nomination, Kathleen Smith also affirmed the focus and commitment of our party when she spoke of how she wasn't thinking of running until she saw how organized Ken Krawchuk and Dale Kerns were and what kind of team they had built.
Which brings us to you. YOU are a part of this team working for the liberty movement (and hopefully our libertarian party), too. I know you are because you wouldn't be reading this if you weren't.
Certainly, the convention is a great way to get tapped into the team for liberty more deeply, get energized on love for liberty, make more liberty-oriented friends and connections, and get informed on what you can do. But, if you missed out on our recent convention, there are two things you can do.
First, plan and commit to attending the next LPPA convention. Second, locate your local county party and approach your county chair. Connect and ask what questions you have. See how you can participate in a way that promotes liberty and fits in with your time, talent, and treasure you have because in the movement and party that supports individual liberty, every individual counts. You matter and can make a meaningful contribution that fits with your local party and where you are in life.
It doesn't take long to figure out what your bigger and better "fit" is in the liberty movement and it doesn't matter if you contribute in a way that others do or don't. What matters is that you show up because, when it comes to the government we do have, it works for those who show up. So the big question is, how will you show up for your liberty and the liberty of other individuals?
Parting thought: along the way, remember to have fun. Life's far too short and too long to work for individual liberty without making it fun.
Sonja Dagny Yago is a contributing writer for LPPA, advocate for individual liberty and empowerment, and a mentor-coach for busy emerging leaders, service-based entrepreneurs, empaths, and those with ADHD who want to get more done and have more impact and influence with less stress and more freedom.
