Lackluster Libertarian Party Candidates For New York State Comptroller Obtain .23% to .98% Of The Total Votes Cast In The Past Five Elections

John Gaetani, Libertarian Party candidate for New York State Comptroller in 2010, obtained a total of 27,897 votes, which was .62% of the 4,475,335 total votes cast. This was a 31.07% decrease from the 40,472 votes obtained by John J. Cain, the New York Libertarian Party's candidate for Comptroller in 2006.

Election results for Libertarian Party candidates for New York State Comptroller have shown no particular trend during the past five (5) statewide elections, with candidates obtaining .23% to .98% of the total votes cast in each particular election. The only thing that can be said is that the LP's candidates lacked direction, political expertise, charisma, a fundraising strategy and the ability to attract media attention. The results reflected this reality.

In 2006, John J. Cain obtained a total of 40,472 votes, which was .98% of the 4,134,973 total votes cast. In 2002, James Eisert obtained a total of 19,235 votes, which was .46% of the 4,157,487 total votes cast. In 1998, Robert M. Goodman obtained a total of 10,310 votes, which was .23% of the 4,421,252 total votes cast. In 1994, Richard L. Geyer obtained a total of 17,986 votes, which was .38% of the 4,642,028 total votes cast.

Dallwyn Merck, Vice-Chair of Downstate Libertarians (a chartered chapter of Empire State Libertarians), reflected on these results as follows:

Too many candidates run for elective office because of an inflated sense of self-worth and to feed their own egos instead of running to inform voters of the practical and beneficial effects of applying libertarian principles to find practical solutions to the real problems facing our state and nation.

Often, these candidates not only have no idea how to run an effective campaign but they also have no idea how to fund raise. This year, John Gaetani, Libertarian Party candidate for New York State Comptroller, often posted requests for campaign contributions but he failed to mention how he intended to use the money or to provide the potential contributor with any insight with respect to his campaign strategy, if he had one at all.

A poor electoral outcome is no surprise when the Libertarian Party runs inexperienced, ego-driven candidates for statewide office instead of highly principled, motivated, charismatic candidates willing to finance a race for all the right reasons.

In the 2010 race for Comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli (Democratic, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,272,722 votes for 50.78% of the total vote. Harry Wilson (Republican, Independence, Conservative) obtained 2,070,247 votes for 46.26% of the total vote. Julia A. Willebrand (Green) obtained 104,469 votes for 2.34% of the total vote. John Gaetani (Libertarian) obtained 27,897 votes for .62% of the total vote.

In the 2006 race for Comptroller, Alan G. Hevesi (Democratic, Independence, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,349,578 votes for 56.82% of the total vote. J. Christopher Callaghan (Republican,  Conservative) obtained 1,612,270 votes for 38.99% of the total vote. Julia A. Willebrand (Green) obtained 117,908 votes for 2.85% of the total vote. John J. Cain (Libertarian) obtained 40,472 votes for .98% of the total vote. Willie Cotton (Socialist Workers) obtained 14,745 votes for .36% of the total vote.

In the 2002 race for Comptroller, Alan G. Hevesi (Democratic, Liberal, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,095,913 votes for 50.41% of the total vote. John Faso (Republican, Independence, Conservative) obtained 1,933,104 votes for 46.50% of the total vote. Garifalia Christea (Right To Life) obtained 61,464 votes for 1.48% of the total vote. Howie Hawkins (Green) obtained 47,771 votes for 1.15% of the total vote. James Eisert (Libertarian) obtained 19,235 votes for .46% of the total vote.

In the 1998 race for Comptroller, H. Carl McCall (Democratic, Independence, Liberal) emerged victorious obtaining 2,862,903 votes for 64.76% of the total vote. Bruce A. Blakeman (Republican, Conservative) obtained 1,423,086 votes for 32.19% of the total vote. Douglas H. Harknett (Right To Life) obtained 70,397 votes for 1.59% of the total vote. Dean Venezia (Marijuana Reform) obtained 39,423 votes for .89% of the total vote. Howie Hawkins (Green) obtained 15,133 votes for .34% of the total vote. Robert M. Goodman (Libertarian) obtained 10,310 votes for .23% of the total vote.

In the 1994 race for Comptroller, H. Carl McCall (Democratic, Liberal) emerged victorious obtaining 2,404,404 votes for 51.80% of the total vote. Herbert I. London (Republican, Conservative, Tax Cut Now, Right To Life) obtained 2,155,759 votes for 46.44% of the total vote. Laureen A. Oliver (Independence Fusion) obtained 53,801 votes for 1.16% of the total vote. Richard L. Geyer (Libertarian) obtained 17,986 votes for .38% of the total vote. Brock Satter (Socialist Workers) obtained 10,078 votes for .22% of the total vote.

Carl E. Person, LP Candidate For New York State Attorney General, Obtained More Votes & A Higher Percentage Of The Total Vote Than LP Candidates Who Ran In 2006, 2002, 1998 & 1994

Carl E. Person, Libertarian Party candidate for New York State Attorney General in 2010, obtained a total of 36,547 votes, which was .82% of the 4,443,423 total votes cast. This was the highest vote total and a higher percentage of total votes than was obtained by Libertarian Party candidates for Attorney General in 2006, 2002, 1998 & 1994.

In 2006, Christopher B. Garvey obtained a total of 29,413 votes, which was .68% of the 4,303,350 total votes cast. In 2002, Daniel A. Conti, Jr. obtained a total of 23,213 votes, which was .56% of the 4,131,437 total votes cast. In 1998, Daniel A. Conti, Jr. obtained a total of 19,864 votes, which was .46% of the 4,325,396 total votes cast. In 1994, Daniel A. Conti, Jr. obtained a total of 19,202 votes, which was .41% of the 4,656,483 total votes cast.

At the most favorable rate of percentage increase, I have calculated the Libertarian Party will be able to obtain just over 50% of the vote for New York State Attorney General in the year 2154. Of course, all elections are unique so the New York State Libertarian Party may be able to elect its candidate to the office of Attorney General at a time sooner or later than this estimated date.

In the 2010 race for Attorney General, Eric T. Schneiderman (Democratic, Independence, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,479,464 votes for 55.80% of the total vote. Dan Donovan (Republican, Conservative) obtained 1,909,284 votes for 42.97% of the total vote. Carl E. Person (Libertarian) obtained 36,547 votes for .82% of the total vote. Ramon J. Jimenez (Freedom) obtained 18,128 votes for .41% of the total vote.

In the 2006 race for Attorney General, Andrew M. Cuomo (Democratic, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,509,311 votes for 58.31% of the total vote. Jeanine Pirro (Republican, Independence, Conservative) obtained 1,692,580 votes for 39.33% of the total vote. Rachel Treichler (Green) obtained 61,849 votes for 1.44% of the total vote. Christopher B. Garvey (Libertarian) obtained 29,413 votes for .68% of the total vote. Martin Koppel (Socialist Workers) obtained 10,197 votes for .24% of the total vote.

In the 2002 race for Attorney General, Eliot L. Spitzer (Democratic, Independence, Liberal, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,744,302 votes for 66.43% of the total vote. Dora Irizarry (Republican, Conservative) obtained 1,234,899 votes for 29.89% of the total vote. John J. Broderick (Right To Life) obtained 78,268 votes for 1.89% of the total vote. Mary Jo Long (Green) obtained 50,755 votes for 1.23% of the total vote. Daniel A. Conti, Jr. (Libertarian) obtained 23,213 votes for .56% of the total vote.

In the 1998 race for Attorney General, Eliot L. Spitzer (Democratic, Liberal) emerged victorious obtaining 2,084,948 votes for 48.20% of the total vote. Dennis C. Vacco (Republican, Conservative) obtained 2,059,762 votes for 47.62% of the total vote. Catherine Abate (Independence) obtained 81,439 votes for 1.88% of the total vote. Robert W. Dapelo (Right To Life) obtained 60,399 votes for 1.40% of the total vote. Daniel A. Conti, Jr. (Libertarian) obtained 19,864 votes for .46% of the total vote. Johann L. Moore (Green) obtained 18,984 votes for .44% of the total vote.

In the 1994 race for Attorney General, Dennis C. Vacco (Republican, Conservative, Tax Cut Now) emerged victorious obtaining 2,294,528 votes for 49.28% of the total vote. Karen S. Burstein (Democratic, Liberal) obtained 2,206,188 votes for 47.38% of the total vote. Alfred I. Skidmore (Right To Life) obtained 85,649 votes for 1.84% of the total vote. James M. Hartman (Independence Fusion) obtained 37,500 votes for .80% of the total vote. Daniel A. Conti, Jr. (Libertarian) obtained 19,202 votes for .41% of the total vote. Nancy H. Rosenstock (Socialist Workers) obtained 13,416 votes for .29% of the total vote.

A Divided New York Libertarian Party Fails To Obtain 50,000 Votes

Mark Axinn, NYLP Chair, reported the following on December 13, 2010:

The Board of Elections has certified the total votes cast for Libertarian candidates Warren Redlich and Alden Link at 48,386 -- only 1614 shy of the 50,000 required for ballot status.

Dr. Tom Stevens, Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, the largest chartered chapter in New York State, provided the following comment:

This is a disappointing but not unexpected result. In a year when the New York Libertarian Party should have finally obtained ballot access, that opportunity was lost through the actions of those who placed their own personal interests above those of the party.

In the pre-NYLP State Convention stage, those pushing for the nomination of Warren Redlich as the LP's gubernatorial candidate denied Kristin Davis and Sam Sloan, two other contenders, from being able to communicate with the 400+ state party members eligible to vote at the State Convention. Without the ability to campaign and to encourage those individuals to attend the State Convention, the nomination was handed to Redlich with only 27 delegates voting for him. Then to make matters worse, the actual vote on the gubernatorial nomination was conducted on the "honor system" and actual evidence of fraud was uncovered. Ms. Davis ended up running for Governor on the Anti-Prohibition Party line obtaining more than 22,000 votes. Sam Sloan chose a legal remedy and started two actions that were ultimately dismissed on technical grounds.

In the post-NYLP State Convention stage, the State Committee of the New York Libertarian Party suspended the memberships of Dr. Tom Stevens and Sam Sloan, the unanimously elected State Representatives for the Queens LP and the Manhattan LP, respectively. These actions alienated the memberships of both chapters, the largest and second largest LP chapters in New York State, causing many of its members to provide lukewarm support for the candidacy of Warren Redlich and for other LP nominated candidates. Two Congressional Candidates and Three New York State Assembly Candidates nominated by the Queens LP and Manhattan LP failed to obtain a sufficient number of petition signatures to qualify for a place on the November ballot.

Another result of this division was coordinated action that took place between Sam Sloan and the Kristin Davis campaign with Roger Stone crediting Mr. Sloan for providing him with the information Mr. Stone ultimately used against Redlich in flyers mailed out by an independent organization dealing with Mr. Redlich's alleged defense of adults having sex with minors. Mr. Redlich's campaign claimed the flyers were defamatory but no lawsuit has yet been instituted by Warren Redlich against those who put out the flyers.

Had the New York Libertarian Party not been divided, I have no doubt this is the year the LP in New York State would have obtained 50,000 votes in the gubernatorial race and ballot access for the next four (4) years.

On November 11, 2010, the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, the largest LP chapter in New York State, unanimously adopted the following statement regarding why, in its opinion, the NYLP failed to obtain 50,000 votes in this gubernatorial election:

It is the formal opinion of the Libertarian Party of Queens County that one of the main reasons the New York Libertarian Party failed to obtain 50,000 votes in the gubernatorial election in 2010 is because of intentional flaws built into the gubernational nomination process and due to the fact that the party was split after the State Committee took action to suspend the State Party memberships of Dr. Tom Stevens (Queens LP State Representative) and Sam Sloan (Manhattan LP State Representative).

The gubernatorial nomination process was flawed in two ways: first, gubernatorial nomination contenders Sam Sloan and Kristin Davis were denied the opportunity to communicate with the 400+ potential voting delegates to promote their candidacies with them and to encourage them to attend the NYLP State Convention in April, 2010. As a result, Kristin Davis did not attend the NYLP State Convention (eventually running for governor as the candidate of the Anti-Prohibition Party) and Sam Sloan instituted a number of law suits to expose the rigged nomination process. Warren Redlich was handed the gubernatorial nomination with only 27 delegates voting in his favor. In addition, the election process itself was run on the "honor system" where anyone could place one or more votes into a passing hat regardless of whether they were legally entitled to vote. Evidence of actual fraud had been collected by Sam Sloan but his lawsuits were dismissed on technical grounds and the validity of his substantive arguments were never litigated.

Had the process been fair, it is possible Kristin Davis would have been the Libertarian Party's gubernatorial nominee or she might have agreed to run for another statewide position on our slate. In that case, she would not have formed her own pro-libertarian Anti-Prohibition Party and a good portion of the 22,000+ votes she got on the Anti-Prohibition Party might have been cast on the Libertarian Party line giving us the extra 5,000 votes we needed to obtain "minor party" status and permanent ballot access for the next 4 years. In addition, all the negative publicity that resulted from Sam Sloan's lawsuits and from the anti-Redlich flyers and e-mails would not have materialized.

For pointing out flaws in the gubernatorial nomination process and for highlighting the lack of professionalism present in the State Party, the State Party memberships of Dr. Tom Stevens (Queens LP State Representative) and Sam Sloan (Manhattan LP State Representative) were suspended by the State Committee. The Manhattan LP also suspended the membership of Sam Sloan and Dr. Tom Stevens was asked to resign. These unwarranted actions by the State Party and the Manhattan LP resulted in a major split within the party that destroyed the unity that would have been necessary to take maximum advantage of the potential this election held for us to obtain 50,000 votes in the gubernatorial election. This unique potential existed for three reasons: first, the fact that minor party candidates were included in the gubernatorial debate; second, the new ballots made finding the LP candidates easier; and third, since Andrew Cuomo's victory was a lock, there was no 'wasted vote" syndrome that influenced how people voted. Yet, because of the disunity, many people were turned off to the LP, costing the NYLP much bad publicity and certainly the loss of a number of votes.

The Libertarian Party of Queens County believes that once again, the dysfunctional leadership of the State Libertarian Party laid the groundwork for yet another lost opportunity.

The next chance the New York Libertarian Party will have to obtain 50,000 votes and permanent ballot status for four (4) years will be in 2014.

Stonewall Libertarians New York Accuses Libertarian Party In New York State Of Anti-Gay Bias, Discrimination & Defamation

Dallwyn Merck, President of Stonewall Libertarians New York, wrote to Mark Axinn, Chair of the New York Libertarian Party, on December 6, 2010 asking him to take steps to end bias, discrimination and defamation against Gays in the New York State Libertarian Party that has taken place for nearly a decade.

In a resignation letter to Mark Axinn, New York State Libertarian Party Chair and Manhattan Libertarian Party Secretary/Treasurer, Dallwyn Merck wrote:

I am sickened by the anti-gay comments and bias exhibited privately and expressed publicly during the past decade by a number of individuals in leadership positions in the New York State Libertarian Party and the Manhattan Libertarian Party.  I can no longer in good conscience remain silent while these activities continue to take place. This has been the primary reason I have not re-joined the State Party and as of today, I am resigning my membership in the Manhattan Libertarian Party.

I am sure you are aware of the bias, discrimination and defamation of which I speak since I am not the first person to raise this issue. Up until now, the only response you and the NYLP leadership have given again and again over the years is to deny that any such discrimination is taking place.

A number of single men who have been active in the gay rights movement have been viciously attacked and driven from their positions in the New York State Libertarian Party. In private back-water e-mails and in public party forums, such men, who were assumed to be gay, have been routinely called child molesters and pedophiles. They have been driven from youth leadership positions within the party on the grounds that their contact with young people might "open the party to possible liability" and when one such individual sought the nomination of the New York Libertarian Party for the office of Attorney General, party leaders explicitly spread rumors that said individual could harm the party and bring it bad publicity. These rumors were again based on the assumption that those perceived to be gay are all potential pedophiles and child molesters.

There has been a concerted effort over the years to harass these intelligent and charismatic individuals and drive them from the party. The fact that they stayed as long as they did in the party is a testament to their thick skin and their commitment to the cause of liberty. 

I know your response will be the same response you have always given. Deny. Deny. Deny. You will point to one "pet gay" and say, 'See, we treat that one in a friendly manner', or else you will claim that actions taken against Gay members of the party can be justified on some objective grounds. What you cannot do, however, is to deny the public defamatory statements that have been posted over the years to public party lists.

Just to give you one recent example, Christopher Cantwell, an At-Large Representative of the State Committee of the New York Libertarian Party who is currently in jail, said the following about a completely innocent individual active in the Queens LP who is perceived to be gay:

"If X was directly accused of raping little boys while he was in fact keeping company with little boys...I'd say this is rather serious. And given X's record in the LP of aggression, fraud, dishonesty, slander, and general sociopathic tendencies, I'm rather alarmed that we have kept company with him for so long. Maybe X's idea of Liberty is lubricating young Republicans. I also want to know if X has been using his position in the LP...to lure underage children into sexual encounters with him. So what is it X? Are you just a lying, cheating, sociopath? Or are you in fact a raping murdering agent provocateur too? In either case, this man is so filthy, his proximity to us alone is a serious problem...he needs to be shunned, we need to let the public know that we don't take kindly to raping, murdering, lying, cheating, agent provocateur, sociopaths who...make up organizations...for the purpose of luring innocent children into sexual encounters. In the end, it doesn't matter if X is a child raping murderer, or just a fraud and extortionist, he is a dangerous criminal with serious psychological problems either way."

This is only one example of hundreds that have been posted publicly over the years. You must take responsibility for this continuing discrimination and finally do something about it. 

Jeff Grizlo, Executive Vice-President of Rising Action and a former member of the NYLP and LPQC, responded to Dallwyn Merck's allegations by stating:

I am very pleased that someone has finally spoken out about the extreme discrimination that has been faced by Gays in the New York Libertarian Party.

I served as President of Stonewall Libertarians New York from August 4, 2006 until July 27, 2009 at which point Dallwyn Merck took over as President of the New York Chapter. During the time I was both a member of the New York Libertarian Party and Stonewall Libertarians, I personally observed the anti-Gay comments that were publicly made and I can confirm all of the facts that have been relayed by Mr. Merck to NYLP Chair Mark Axinn. However, I do want to say that Mr. Merck has whitewashed the situation as it existed and presently exists in the New York Libertarian Party. The fact is that the situation is far worse than he has described it to be. The defamation I have seen is actionable and the only reason people don't sue is, in my opinion, because they don't wish to bring further public attention to such outrageous claims and allegations.

I couldn't take it any longer and resigned my membership in the New York Libertarian Party. I have no idea how any Gays can stand being around such despicable people. This is the 21st century and intolerance of this magnitude belongs in the dustbin of history.

Stonewall Libertarians, founded on April 20, 1996, is an independent organization of libertarians who believe in being politically active to promote smaller government, lower taxes and more individual freedom. It exists to reach out to all libertarians who are perceived to deviate from the norms of society and to promote tolerance and equality in the Libertarian Party and in society at large. Stonewall Libertarians seeks to be a catalyst to expand the base of the libertarian movement in the United States by bringing together a vast coalition of those who believe in personal freedom.

John Clifton, LPQC Chair, Resigns Manhattan LP Membership In Protest Over Its Treatment Of Stevens & Sloan

John Clifton, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Queens County who previously served three terms as New York Libertarian Party State Chair and was the 2010 NYLP Candidate for United States Senator against Kirsten Gillibrand, announced his resignation as a member of the Manhattan Libertarian Party, effective November 30, 2010, in protest of its treatment of MLP members Sam Sloan and Dr. Tom Stevens.

In a resignation letter to Mark Axinn, New York State Libertarian Party Chair and Manhattan Libertarian Party Secretary/Treasurer, John Clifton wrote:

Upon reflection on the recent statements of Alden Link upon his resignation from the Manhattan Libertarian Party, I have also decided to resign from the MLP effective today, due to disappointment with, among other things, how members of its executive committee handled issues surrounding Sam Sloan's removal from the elected position as their representative to the LPNY state committee, and Tom Stevens' resignation from MLP. These were proud members of MLP, and are proud members of LPQC. I feel that we have treated members of our family badly.

I have heard both sides of each matter, and tend to side with MLP officers on the substance of their complaints about Sam, but feel it was not the call of the executive committee to remove him by an
internal vote, or to support the use of the suspension procedure used by the State Committee to expel him. I specifically advised this past summer that as an elected officer of MLP, under the county bylaws, it would require a convention vote to properly replace him as state rep.

I recommended a special convention be held if they wished to accomplish this quickly, but this option was ignored. Sloan also offered ways to de-escalate the matter that were rejected. The urge to punish and remove Sam appears to have superseded following a process that was within the bylaws, that would accept peace offerings short of punishment, or one that would allow the body to determine the fate of the state rep they elected.

As for Stevens, I am in agreement with a statement he has already widely distributed about the circumstances of his resignation from MLP, and call for the same remedies he identified as needed.

Although some would state it is time to "move on," I would reply that it is always easier to say that from the perspective of the truck driver, after running over pedestrians a mile back. So long as the same dynamic is in place that created the run over, nothing has truly "moved on."

I urge the executive committee to move forward and correct the matter by apologizing to Sam and Tom, and inviting them to rejoin.

Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC Political Director, responded to John Clifton's resignation as follows:

There is no reason why the Libertarian Party of Queens County and the Manhattan Libertarian Party, the first and second largest LP chapters in New York State, respectively, should not be peacefully cooperating in productive ways to advance the cause of liberty. 

Whatever political and personal problems existed between individuals on a statewide level, there were no problems between the Manhattan LP and the Queens LP until the MLP Libertarian Ruling Junta (a.k.a. MLP County Committee) decided to illegally remove Sam Sloan as the MLP's unanimously elected State Representative through the back door of suspending his membership and decided to declare war on the Queens LP by asking its Political Director to resign as an MLP member. 

Both Sam Sloan and Dr. Tom Stevens were proud members of the Manhattan Libertarian Party. Dr. Stevens served multiple times as its elected State Representative. Neither individual took any action against the Manhattan LP, its purposes or objectives. The MLP started this war and it is within their power to end it. Mark Axinn continues to speak about moving on but there can and will be no moving on. No Justice! No Peace!

Alden Link, LPQC Member and the Libertarian Party's candidate for Lt. Governor of New York State in 2010, resigned his membership in the Manhattan Libertarian Party on November 23, 2010.

Alden Link Appointed Vice-Chair of New York State's Personal Freedom Party

On December 1, 2010, Alden Link was appointed Vice-Chair of the Personal Freedom Party. Alden Link is currently Chair of Hudson River Valley Libertarians (covering Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, Columbia & Greene counties in New York State). Hudson River Valley Libertarians is a chartered chapter of Empire State Libertarians.

The Personal Freedom Party was founded by Dr. Tom Stevens on June 6, 2010. Its initial focus is to recruit candidates to run for pubic office in New York State and to run a full slate of statewide candidates in 2014 with the goal of obtaining 50,000 votes for its gubernatorial nominee so the party can obtain "minor party" status under New York State's election law.

On November 5, 2010, the Personal Freedom Party announced its support for the:

Legalization of Marijuana
Decriminalization of Prostitution
Legalization of Gambling
Lowering of the Voting Age
Legalization of Gay Marriage
Elimination of Excessive Taxation
Elimination of Excessive Regulation

On November 11, 2010, the Personal Freedom Party adopted the following Slogan:

Tell Your Children! Fight The Menace! Kill The Devil! Save The Country!

The phrase was used in the song "Reefer Madness" from Reefer Madness: The Musical, which is a musical satire of the 1938 cult movie classic Tell Your Children (now commonly referred to as Reefer Madness).

In announcing the appointment of Alden Link as Vice-Chair of the Personal Freedom Party, Dr. Tom Stevens, Personal Freedom Party Founder, said:

The appointment of Alden Link as Vice-Chair of the Personal Freedom Party allows him to lend his considerable political experience and wisdom to our organizing efforts. Not only is Mr. Link a successful businessman and aviator, he was also the Objectivist Party's Vice-Presidential Candidate in 2008 and the New York State Libertarian Party's Lt. Governor Candidate in 2010.  

The Personal Freedom Party is currently active in New York State. It is chaired by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens, who currently serves as the Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County. Dr. Stevens also founded Libertarian Patriots and Empire State Libertarians and recently served two-terms on the LPUS's Judicial Committee (2006-2010).

Libertarian Party Selects Las Vegas As The Host City For Its 2012 National Convention

The Libertarian Party's National Committee voted on November 21, 2010 to hold the Libertarian Party's next National Convention from May 4-6, 2012 at the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa is located 11 miles from the Las Vegas Strip at 11011 West Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89135. The Hotel provides free shuttle service to and from McCarran International Airport (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) and to and from the Hotel and the Fashion Show Mall just off the Las Vegas Strip (11:40 a.m. to 9:40 p.m.). The shuttles run every two hours although the hotel has promised to increase the frequency of its shuttle to and from the airport during the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nominating Convention. If you choose to take a taxi to or from the airport, the ride will cost you approximately $60.00 not including tip. The hotel has a pool that is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. The negotiated discounted price for the hotel rooms have not yet been announced.

A number of individuals have expressed their happiness with the selection of Las Vegas as the site of the next LPUS National Convention but felt the hotel selected should have been on or just off the Las Vegas Strip so delegates could take full advantage of the buffets and entertainment Las Vegas has to offer. In response, Aaron Starr, the former Treasurer of the Libertarian Party, wrote:

Members of the LNC toured both the Paris and Bally’s hotels in Las Vegas back in July. I attended those tours. There was one location where the ceiling was too low (you want it to be at least 20 feet). It would have been bad for folks at the back of the room (the jumbo screens in front wouldn’t fit) and it would be less than ideal from the view of the media’s camera lens. There was also the sense that these hotels were actually too large for us to be a significant presence and our ability to negotiate a good package would be diminished.

The really nice hotels are not at all willing to deal. The price for our delegates would have been outrageous. Others inquiries were made with other hotels a year earlier and many were not willing to deal with us because our size was insignificant.

Alden Link, a contender for the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination in 2008, said:

I agree with Dr. Tom Stevens, Founder of Libertarian Patriots and former two-term LPUS Judicial Committee Member (2006-2010), that the host hotel for the Libertarian Party's 2012 National Convention should have been on or just off the Las Vegas Strip. I do not doubt some effort was made to find a hotel on the Strip that could accommodate our needs. However, I believe the LNC gave up too soon. There are scores of hotels located on or just off the Las Vegas Strip that host conventions of our size every day. I am confident an appropriate venue could have been found that would have allowed attending convention delegates to wander out onto the Strip during breaks for food and fun. 

The Libertarian Party will select its Presidential Candidate during the upcoming May 4-6, 2012 National Convention. Listed here are former Libertarian Party Presidential Candidates together with the year they ran, their popular vote total and the percentage of the total vote they garnered:

1972 John Hospers (3,674) <0.1% 

1976 Roger MacBride (172,553) 0.21% 

1980 Ed Clark (921,128) 1.1% 

1984 David Bergland (228,111) 0.3% 

1988 Ron Paul (431,750) 0.5% 

1992 Andre Marrou (290,087) 0.3% 

1996 Harry Browne (485,759) 0.5% 

2000 Harry Browne (384,431) 0.4% 

2004 Michael Badnarik (397,265) 0.32% 

2008 Bob Barr (523,686) 0.4%

The Libertarian Party was formed in Colorado Springs, Colorado in the home of David Nolan on December 11, 1971.