2018 Libertarian National Convention

Libertarian National Convention
Convention
Date(s)June 30–July 3, 2018
CityNew Orleans, Louisiana
VenueHyatt Regency Hotel
ChairDaniel Hayes
Keynote speakerAmaryllis Fox
‹ 2016 · 2020 ›

The 2018 Libertarian National Convention was held from June 30 to July 3, 2018, in New Orleans, Louisiana. According to the Libertarian Party, the 2018 convention was the "biggest Libertarian National Convention ever," breaking previous records in attendance and fundraising.[1]

Theme

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The theme was "I'm THAT Libertarian!", a phrase uttered by the late Marc Allan Feldman in a Libertarian presidential debate at the 2016 national convention.[2][3]

Events

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Chair election

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Nicholas Sarwark's seat as Chair of the Libertarian National Committee (LNC) was up for election. Sarwark faced challenge from Washington LP member Joshua Smith,[4] Libertarian Socialist Caucus member Matt Kuehnel,[5] former Gary Johnson and John McAfee campaign staffer Christopher Thrasher[6] and Libertarian Party of Carbon County Chair Matt Schutter.[7] Sarwark ended up winning an unprecedented consecutive third-term as LNC chair.[8]

Endorsements

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Nicholas Sarwark
Individuals
Joshua Smith
Individuals
Organisations

Polling

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Poll source Sample
size 		Date(s) Dearn
(withdrew) 		Sarwark Smith Others
The Libertarian Vindicator[14] 134 February 2018 – 47% 28% None of the Above 25%
The Libertarian Vindicator[15] 73 April 2018 22% 29% 41% None of the Above 8%

Results

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Libertarian National Convention LNC Chairman Vote, 2018[16]
Candidate First Ballot Percentage
Nicholas Sarwark 517 65%
Joshua Smith 175 22%
Christopher Thrasher 46 6%
NOTA 33 4%
Matt Kuehnel 13 2%
John Keil 4 1%
Matthew Schutter 1 nil
Write-In 1 nil
Totals 790 100%

Vice chair election

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The seat of Vice chair was also up for election, the incumbent being Arvin Vohra. Alex Merced, 2017 candidate for New York comptroller,[17] Libertarian Youth Caucus founder Trent Somes III,[18] 2018 Iowa gubernatorial candidate Jake Porter,[19] Indiana activist Joe Hauptmann,[20] Treasurer of the Libertarian Radical Caucus Steve Scheetz, former Indiana Libertarian Party chair Sam Goldstein[21] and Montana Libertarian Joe Paschal all sought election to the position.

In January 2018 Arvin Vohra drew criticism for condoning sexual relations between adults and minors so long as affirmative consent is given, using the example of a 25-year-old male and a 15-year-old female.[22] Multiple state Libertarian parties demanded Vohra be relieved from his position, as well as the Libertarian Youth Caucus through Trent Somes III, one of Vohra's opponents in the vice chairmanship election.[23]

Endorsements

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Alex Merced
Individuals
Organisations
  • Libertarian Party Mises Caucus[12]

Debates

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Debates among candidates for vice chairman of the Libertarian National Committee
Date Place Host Participants
 P  Participant.  A  Absent.  N  Confirmed non-invitee.  O  Out of race (exploring, suspended, or not yet entered) Sam Goldstein Joe Hauptmann Alex Merced Joe Paschal Jake Porter Steve Scheetz Trent Somes Arvin Vohra James Weeks
February 10[24] Google Hangouts 71 Republic A P P P A P A P P
February 22[25] Google Hangouts The Feldman Foundation A P P P A P A P P
March 3[26] Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania 2018 Convention Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania A P P A A P A P A
March 10[27] Libertarian Party of Connecticut 2018 Convention Libertarian Party of Connecticut A A P A A P A P A
April 21[28] Libertarian Party of New York 2018 Convention Libertarian Party of New York A P P A A A A A A

Polling

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Poll source Sample
size 		Date(s) Goldstein Hauptmann Merced Paschal Porter Scheetz Somes Vohra Weeks Others
The Libertarian Vindicator[29][30] 248 January 2018 – 6% 46% 4% 8% 6% 20% 10% – N/A
99 February 2018 8% 5% 59% 4% 3% 5% – 5% 4% None of the Above 7%

Speakers

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Notable speakers included:[31]

Controversies

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Feud with Libertarian Party Mises Caucus

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In late 2017, the Libertarian Party Mises Caucus reached out to the chairman of the 2018 LP Convention Committee, Daniel Hayes, entertaining the thought of former congressman and 1988 Libertarian Party presidential nominee Ron Paul and Freedom Watch host Judge Napolitano speaking at the convention, offering to pay off speaking fees. Hayes rejected the idea of Paul speaking at the convention, saying "he has no idea what the LP represents", criticizing Napolitano as well.[32] Ron Paul confronted the controversy, stating he has been a lifetime member of the Libertarian Party since 1987 when he paid using a gold coin, and asked, "do I get my gold coin back?"[33]

On February 3, 2018 Nicholas Sarwark confronted the controversy, saying in a tweet: "If Ron Paul decides he wants to attend the Libertarian Party national convention in New Orleans and speak, I'll make sure he gets time on the stage. It's the least we can do for a life member, former Presidential nominee, and Hall of Liberty award winner."[34]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ LP News March 2019
  2. ^ Trejo, Shane (March 23, 2017). ""I'm THAT Libertarian!" – Libertarians Honor Marc Feldman With New Convention Slogan". Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  3. ^ Harper, Jennifer (April 9, 2018). "New Libertarian motto: 'Don't tread on me'". The Washington Times. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  4. ^ Henderson, Luke (November 14, 2017). "Meet Joshua Smith, Candidate For Libertarian Party Chairman". Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  5. ^ "Matt Kuehnel for LNC Chair". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
  6. ^ Kellogg, Spencer (July 9, 2019). "Come And Take It: Inside The 2018 Libertarian National Convention". 71 Republic. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  7. ^ Schutter, Matt. "Matt Schutter for the Chair of the LNC 2018". Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  8. ^ "Sarwark wins unprecedented 3rd consecutive term as Libertarian national chair". LP.org. July 3, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  9. ^ #TeamGuv Wisconsin (25 June 2018). "Phil Anderson Endorses Nicholas Sarwark for LNC Chair" – via YouTube.
  10. ^ "Steve Dutner". www.facebook.com.
  11. ^ "Libertarian Party of New York on Twitter".
  12. ^ a b Eyer, Timothy (January 19, 2018). "LIBERTARIAN Mises Caucus Endorses Joshua Smith and Alex Merced for LNC Chair & Vice-Chair". Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  13. ^ "Liberty Hangout on Twitter".
  14. ^ Henderson, Luke (February 20, 2018). "POLL: Sarwark Favorite LNC Chair Candidate". The Libertarian Vindicator. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  15. ^ Henderson, Luke (April 18, 2018). "Poll: Joshua Smith Takes The Lead In LNC Chair Race". The Libertarian Vindicator. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  16. ^ LibertarianParty (2 July 2018). "Libertarian National Convention New Orleans July 2, 2018 Live Stream" – via YouTube.
  17. ^ "Alex Merced for Vice Chair of the Libertarian National Committee". December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  18. ^ "Meet Trent Somes III, Candidate For Libertarian Party Vice Chairman". The Libertarian Vindicator. 2017-05-20. Retrieved 2018-01-07.
  19. ^ "Meet Jake Porter, Candidate for Libertarian Party Vice Chairman". The Libertarian Vindicator. 2017-06-04. Retrieved 2018-01-07.
  20. ^ "Meet Joe Hauptmann, Candidate For Libertarian Party Vice Chairman". The Libertarian Vindicator. 2018-01-05. Retrieved 2018-01-07.
  21. ^ Henderson, Luke (February 8, 2018). "Meet Sam Goldstein, Candidate for LP Vice Chairman". The Libertarian Vindicator. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  22. ^ "LNC Vice Chair Arvin Vohra once again stirs controversy, calls for removal with age of consent comments". Independent Political Report. January 13, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  23. ^ "State Libertarian Parties Demand Removal of Arvin Vohra for Comments on Child Molestation". The Jack News. January 16, 2018. Archived from the original on January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  24. ^ "71 Republic". www.facebook.com.
  25. ^ "The Feldman Foundation". www.facebook.com.
  26. ^ Alex Merced (11 March 2018). "2018 LNC Vice Chair Debate: Pennsylvania State Convention" – via YouTube.
  27. ^ "Libertarian Party of Connecticut". www.facebook.com.
  28. ^ "Libertarian Party of New York". www.facebook.com.
  29. ^ Henderson, Luke (January 13, 2018). "Poll Results: Merced, Somes, & Vohra Top Candidates For Libertarian Vice Chair". Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  30. ^ Henderson, Luke (February 26, 2018). "Poll: Merced Remains Top VC Candidate, Vohra Tied For Third". The Libertarian Vindicator. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  31. ^ "Our Speakers". Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  32. ^ Howley, Patrick (February 1, 2018). "Libertarian Party Will Not Allow Ron Paul To Speak At Their Convention". Big League Politics. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  33. ^ Lau, Ryan (February 3, 2018). "Ron Paul Attacks Libertarian Leadership in Response to Controversy". 71Republic. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  34. ^ "Nicholas Sarwark on Twitter".
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