Libertarian Party of Indiana

History and Operations

The founding meeting of the Libertarian Party of Indiana was held on July 14, 1974 at the Holiday Inn at Weir Cook Airport (now called the Indianapolis International Airport). Approximately 20-25 people attended including Paul Hyatt, Tom Duncan, Marvin Lazaro, Brian Bernstein, Dick Smith, Steve Butterbaugh and Charlie Reisert. Reisert made the motion to start the Libertarian Party of Indiana. The first headquarters was located at 1430 N. Capitol Avenue in Indianapolis. The LPIN became a minor political party in 1994 after achieving ballot access when Steve Dillon received more than 2% of the vote running for Secretary of State.

The Libertarian Party of Indiana has continually earned ballot access since 1994. In 2008, the Libertarian presidential ticket of Bob Barr and Wayne Allyn Root had their strongest showing in Indiana receiving 1.1% of the vote (19,243 votes)[1]. On February 17, 2009, Indianapolis city councilmember Edward Coleman publicly announced that he had left the Republican Party and joined the Libertarian Party [2] [3]. The party's best finish in a statewide race came in 2006 when US Senate candidate Steve Osborn received about 13% of the vote. Osborn had the best result for a third party candidate running for the Senate in the 2006 elections.

The Libertarian Party of Indiana is the only party other than the Democrats and Republicans with ballot access in Indiana. Hoosier Libertarians have consistently earned ballot access since 1994. Hoosier Libertarians advocate smaller government while defending civil liberties. In the last decade, they have come to the defense of eminent domain victims, marched in opposition to property tax laws, fought for reduced small business licensing, and pursued fairness and transparency in our elections. Indiana Libertarians lobbied dozens of city and town councils across Indiana to allow property owners to make the decision on smoking on their property.

Current elected Indiana Libertarian officeholders

As of 2016, there are 8 Libertarian members who hold elected office in Indiana. [4]
1. Susan Bell: Town Judge, Hagerstown
2. Steve Coffman: Advisory Board, Liberty Township
3. Cheryl Heacox: Advisory Board, Clay Township
4. Dennis Denney: Town Council, Shirley, North Ward
5. Elizabeth Brewer: Clerk-Treasurer, Claypool
6. Larry Walters: Town Council, Dublin
7. Jessica Whitfield: Town Council, Larwill
8. Renee Sweeney: Town Council, Ossian

Appointed Libertarian officeholders

Scott Baker, Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Commission

Rex Bell, Hagerstown Board of Zoning Appeals

Rex Bell, Hagerstown Plan Commission, Chairman

Al Cox, Brown County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals

Michael Dowden, Town of Brownsburg Economic Development Commission (2017 - 2021)

Michael Dowden, Town of Brownsburg Improvement Committee (2017)

Michael Dowden, Town of Brownsburg Redevelopment Authority (2014 - 2016)

Brad Klopfenstein, Indianapolis Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals II

Mark W. Rutherford, Indiana Public Defender Commission, Chairman

Mark Smith, Centerville Plan Commission

Mark Smith, Wayne County Economic Development Commission.

Chris Spangle, Vote Indiana Team/Indiana HAVA Commission

Margaret Fette, Bloomington Urban Enterprise Area Board, secretary.

Past candidates

Steve Osborn is an American politician. He was the 2006 Libertarian Party nominee for US Senate from Indiana. He lost to incumbent Republican Senator Dick Lugar in the United States Senate election in Indiana, 2006. He was Lugar's only opponent on the ballot in that election, as the Democratic Party did not field a candidate. Osborn received about 13% of the vote, the best result for a Libertarian in the 2006 U.S. national-level elections.

His previous political experience includes attempted bids for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Representative in his home district in 2000 and 2002. Steve Osborn is from LaPorte, Indiana.

Paul Hager ran for the U.S. Representative in Indiana’s 8th district in 1994, 1996, and 1998. Also, he ran for US Senate in 2000. In 2002, he ran for Indiana’s Secretary of State on the issue of voting reform.

Awards

Awards are presented at the LPIN Convention each year. With the exception of one award, all winners are granted their award by a vote of the LPIN membership.

Dr. Barbara Bourland Light of Liberty Award

The recipient is honored as the person most responsible for the growth of the party and dedication to the libertarian cause.

Susan Bell Officeholder of the Year Award

Awarded to a current elected officeholder of the Libertarian Party that best promotes libertarian principles and values through public service.

Ken Bisson Outreach Award

Awarded to a party member who has strived to spread the message of libertarian principles to as many potential voters as is possible.

Joe Hauptmann Campaign Leadership Award

Awarded to a campaign volunteer who has worked above and beyond in an extraordinary fashion, and has significantly contributed to the success of a campaign.

Phil Miller Candidate of the Year

Awarded to a Libertarian Candidate that has shown an extraordinary ability to reach and connect with voters, as well as further the cause of libertarianism.

Steve Dasbach Chairman's Award for Extraordinary Service

Awarded to an individual that has helped grow the Libertarian Party of Indiana in extraordinary ways over many years. This award is not voted on by LPIN membership, and it is the sole privilege of the Chair of the LPIN to award it to the recipient.