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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.
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 council member 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.[4] 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.
As of 2019[update], there are eight Libertarian members who hold elected office in Indiana.[7] 1. Susan Bell -- Town Judge, Hagerstown 2. Cheryl Heacox -- Advisory Board, Clay Township 3. Dennis Denney -- Town Council, Shirley, North Ward 4. Larry Walker -- Town Council, Dublin 5. Elizabeth Brewer -- Clerk-Treasurer, Claypool 6. Joel Samuelson -- Town Council, Culver 7. Jessica Whitfield -- Town Council, Larwill 8. Renee Sweeney -- Town Council, Ossian
Appointed officeholders
Several Libertarians have been appointed to offices in Indiana:[7]
Scott Baker -- Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Commission
Rex Bell -- Hagerstown Board of Zoning Appeals; Hagerstown Plan Commission, Chairman
Al Cox -- Brown County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals
Michael Dowden -- Town of Brownsburg Economic Development Commission (2017 - 2021);[8] Town of Brownsburg Improvement Committee (2017);[9] Town of Brownsburg Redevelopment Authority (2014 - 2016)[10]
Brad Klopfenstein -- Indianapolis Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals II
Mark W. Rutherford -- Chairman, Indiana Public Defender Commission
Mark Smith -- Centerville Plan Commission; Wayne County Economic Development Commission.
Chris Spangle -- Vote Indiana Team/Indiana HAVA Commission
Margaret Fette -- Secretary, Bloomington Urban Enterprise Area Board
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.[13][14] In 2002, he ran for Indiana Secretary of State[15] on the issue of voting reform.[16]
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.[17]
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.[17]
Year Awarded
Recipient (First, Last)
County
2016
Karl Tatgenhorst
Porter
2015
Greg Hertzsch
Clark
2014
Beth Duensing
Lake
2013
Chris Spangle
Johnson
2012
Evan McMahon
Marion
2011
Joyce Morrell
Rush
2011
Paul Morrell
Rush
2010
Allison Maguire
Marion
2009
Dan Drexler
LaPorte
2008
Timothy Maguire
Marion
2007
Mike Kole
Hamilton
2006
Greg Kelver
LaPorte
2005
Rex Bell
Wayne
2004
Phil Miller
Hancock
2003
Rebecca Sink-Burris
Monroe
2002
Sam Goldstein
Marion
2001
Mark Rutherford
Marion
2001
Andy Horning
Marion
2000
Kurt St. Angelo
Marion
1999
Steve Dillon
Marion
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.[17]
Year Awarded
Recipient (First, Last)
County
2016
Chris Mayo
Marion
2015
Steve Coffman
Henry
2014
Brad Klopfenstein
Marion
2013
Al Cox
Brown
2012
Mark Rutherford
Marion
2011
Edward Coleman
Marion
2010
Edward Coleman
Marion
2009
Susan Bell
Wayne
2006
Ed Dilts
Johnson
Ken Bisson Outreach Award
Awarded to a party member who has striven to spread the message of libertarian principles to as many potential voters as is possible.[17]
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.[17]
Year Awarded
Recipient (First, Last)
County
2016
Angela Fisher
Marion
2015
Michael Sandridge
Lake
2013
Miah Akston
Johnson
2012
Allison Maguire
Marion
2012
Evan McMahon
Marion
2012
Chris Gault
Marion
2011
Dan Drexler
LaPorte
2010
Paul Morrell
Rush
2010
Jerry Titus
Howard
2009
Melanie Hughes
Floyd
2009
Allison Maguire
Marion
2009
Tim Maguire
Marion
2005
Sheri Conover Sharlow
Grant
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.[17]
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.[17]
^ abAuslen, Michael (January 19, 2011). "Lugar longest serving Ind. congressman". Retrieved 27 January 2014. In 2006, he ran against Libertarian Steve Osborn and won by a landslide 87.4 to 12.6 percent victory. The Democratic opponent, Jack Baldwin, was a write-in candidate and received only 294 votes.
^Jen Wagner and Jennifer Wagner (November 6, 2000). "Senate contenders continue the fight". IU Student Media as Indiana Daliy Student. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
