Chair’s Disclaimer: This is an article about an event that was moot in light of an improved understanding of Michigan law. While the terminology is respectful of the views of the Libertarians attending it, the publication of this article shall not be construed to imply recognition, of the event organizers, as the legitimate LEC, nor does it imply recognition of the event as being a convention of the Libertarian Party of Michigan. We include it here because we, believe in the membership, and believe that a fully informed membership will make more sensible decisions.
Link to the May 2023 Michigan Libertarian (Special Edition)
Wixom, MI – On April 1st 42 Libertarian Party of Michigan (LPM) Delegates converged at the VFW Post #2269 in Wixom. They were there to vote on the concerns expressed in three petitions: A petition calling for a vote of no confidence in Chair Andrew Chadderdon, a petition to hold officer election to fill vacancies, and a petition to appoint an investigatory committee to consider possible misconduct by Dave Canny, Greg Stempfle, and Joe Brungardt. This was a Special Convention called by the Libertarian Party of Michigan Executive Committee chaired by Andrew Chadderdon.
Opening Remarks Highlight the Need to Improve Bylaws
As Chair Andrew Chadderdon addressed controversy in the LPM. He supported ending it in a manner that complied with the party’s bylaws. He expressed hope that inconsistencies in the bylaws would be remedied at the Summer convention which will probably be on a, yet to be scheduled, date in July. He said,
The guiding principal that kinda got me here to leading this convention was to stick to the bylaws. Make sure we hear them, and try to work to make them more agreeable. I think a major factor in having a political party, is there will always be disagreements, but I think a really critical aspect of the bylaws is they provide a mechanism to adjudicate disagreements.
After Chadderdon’s opening comment Membership director Jeff Pittel provided the credentials report stating that 36 delegates were present, but 5 wished to be elevated to delegate status. The addition of delegates requires 7/8 approval. They were approved by 34 of the delegates thereby raising the count to 41.
“No Confidence” Vote Draws Support
Connor Nepomuceno made a motion to remove the “No Confidence” vote from the agenda but the motion was soundly defeated in a voice vote. During debate over the motion Secretary Daniel Ziemba stepped away from taking notes to say, “I’m the Secretary. I too would like to speak against this motion. I want my victory.” Delegates responded with laughter and applause.
One Agenda Item Made Confidential
According to the minutes,
… the motion to appoint an investigatory committee to consider possible misconduct by Dave Canny, Greg Stempfle, and Joe Brungardt in the creation of the petition (which was ultimately submitted on January 3rd), was followed by a private Executive Session:
- Executive session begins; non-delegates exit and live stream paused (see later pages for minutes of the executive session)
- Chair Andrew C responds to a request for information as to the source of the requirement to enter executive session, stating that RONR requires this occur while describing specific accusations against Party members.
2024 POTUS Hopeful, Jacob Hornberger Speaks to Delegation
In 2020 Jacob Hornberger ran for the Libertarian Party’s Presidential nomination. He lost at the convention, but received the honor of the national Mises Caucus endorsement. This was the first of a couple stops in Michigan and he was the only Libertarian Presidential candidate to choose to attend the convention. Jacob Horneberger is an author, and the founder of the Future of Freedom Foundation.
Hornberger presented his case for a Presidential campaign that would speak boldly and directly on controversial issues, rather than trying to appear more moderate or apologetic, like Republicans. He had this to say about the GOP:
I don’t like Republicans… Republicans are just as Responsible as Democrats for turning this country dead on the plight its in today: Their out of control spending. With their out of control debt, $31 Trillion; Their monetary debauchery; Getting us close to nuclear war; in Ukraine, because they didn’t affect prices… the Pentagon admitted it; And we need to hold them to account.
Delegates applauded him several times.
Delegates Vote to Fill Vacancies
One of the three Special Convention petitions called for the election of officers to fill vacancies. Wixom Convention Delegates elected the following people to hold these
respective offices for the remainder of the original holder’s terms:
- 1st Vice Chair: Leah Dailey
- 2nd Vice Chair: Trevor Step
- Treasurer: Greg Black
By District Caucus:
- District 2: Rich McClain Jr.
- District 6: Larry Henneman
- District 8: Kevin Ellis
- District 13: Dave Franklin
- District 14: Jeff Pittel
Ranked Choice Voting Organizer Addresses Libertarians
Ron Zimmerman spoke to the attendees about “Ranked Choice Voting.” This approach, also known as “Instant run-off” voting (IRV) has already been implemented by Ferndale and Ann Arbor. Zimmerman expects to get similar proposals on the ballot in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Lansing, East Lansing, and Royal Oak.
Zimmerman said he hopes the precedent set in municipalities will make state-wide implementation more likely to pass when the choice is put before Michigan voters.
A Musical End
The event was concluded by a passionate a cappella performance of “500 Miles.”
Readers may give it a listen at the end of the third of these videos:
- Wixom Part I
https://www.youtube.com/live/k9tS_RNHfgI?feature=share - Wixom Part II
https://www.youtube.com/live/rYK9fjn3mgo?feature=share - Wixom Part III
https://www.youtube.com/live/R4sohXiKQ6g?feature=share
Over 70 Delegates Elect LEC Patch Bylaws