The Libertarian Party of Michigan was founded in Taylor, Michigan

Taylor, Michigan

Taylor is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 63,131 at the 2010 census. Taylor was originally known as Taylor Township and residents of the township voted to incorporate as the City of Taylor in May 1968...

 in 1972 and remains on the ballot; as Michigan’s third oldest active political party. It is the Michigan affiliate of the Libertarian Party of the United States.

Overview

Since its founding, the Libertarian Party of Michigan has fielded candidates for a variety of offices and has retained its position on the state ballot. In the 2006 general election, the Libertarian Party of Michigan was the only political party in the state to support the successful Michigan Civil Rights Initiative

Michigan Civil Rights Initiative

The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative , or Proposal 2 , was a ballot initiative in the U.S. state of Michigan that passed into Michigan Constitutional law by a 58% to 42% margin on November 7, 2006, according to results officially certified by the Michigan Secretary of State. By Michigan law, the...

. The party's gubernatorial candidate, Greg Creswell, and his running mate Scotty Boman made it the centerpiece of their campaigns. Several Libertarians have held public office in Michigan, most at the local level.. The party is a member of the Michigan Third Parties Coalition which advocates changes in Michigan's election laws.

Elected Libertarians currently iIn public office

• Councilman Andrew LeCureaux of Hazel Park .
• Mayor Pro Tem Mark Owen of Owosso
  Owosso, Michigan
  Owosso is a city in Shiawassee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 15,713 at the 2000 census. The city is located on the eastern side of Owosso Township, but is politically independent...
  
   .
• Councilman Bill Bradley City of South Haven
  South Haven, Michigan
  South Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Most of the city is in Van Buren County, although a small portion extends into Allegan County. The population was 5,021 at the 2000 census....
  
    .
• Another Libertarian elected to office in Michigan was David Eisenbacher who has returned the Troy City Council.
• Park Commissioner Lawrence W. Johnson of Ypsilanti Township was elected in 2008 on a partisan ballot.

Former elected libertarians

Former elected Libertarians include:

• Mayor Pro Tem Erin Stahl of St. Clair Shores,
• Fred Collins, who served as Councilman for the City of Berkley, Michigan from 1997 until he gave up his position to run for Mayor in 2005, and lost the election.
• Councilman Mark Byrne. who is now active with Unifour Area Libertarian Party in North Carolina.
• Park Commissioner Tom Bagwell of Ypsilanti Township was elected in 2008 on a partisan ballot, but left office after moving from Ypsilanti Township.

Libertarians appointed to public office

• Lloyd Sherman (died December 25, 2006) - Hazel Park Brownfield Authority, Hazel Park Facilities and Infrastructure Citizens Advisory Board, Hazel Park Fence Review Board, Hazel Park Zoning Board of Appeals, Hazel Park General Building Authority.

• Will Tyler White Vice-Chair Meridian Charter Township Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
• Donald Flatt - Commissioner, Portage Parks and Recreation Board.
• Steven Butler - Co-Chair, Grand Rapids Environmental Mandates Committee.
• James McAbee - Romeo Planning Commission
• Darrell Johnson - Berkley City Planning Commission

Defender of Liberty Awards

"Defender of Liberty" Awards ("Libbies") have been presented by the Libertarian Party of Michigan at its annual LibertyFest Banquet to a maximum of four select individuals, Libertarian or otherwise, whom the LPM believes have made notable personal efforts in the defense of liberty. Winners must live and/or work in the state of Michigan. The Libertarian Party of Michigan lists three subcategories for the award:

• Spokesperson for Liberty - a member of the community whose patriotism and conviction have inspired contributions to the cause of Liberty

• Promoter of Liberty - A Libertarian whose efforts have done the most to promote the LP and Libertarian principles

• Producer of Liberty - a dedicated, behind-the-scenes Libertarian whose quiet labors over the years exemplifies the backbone of the LP.

External links

• Libertarian Party of Michigan Website
• National Libertarian Party website
• University of Michigan Library Reference
• League of Women Voters Election Guide
• Vote USA Michigan 2006 Election
• Greg Creswell's Vote USA Posting.
• Gregory Creswell's early role in placing MCRI on the Ballot
• Article on the late Lloyd Sherman, holder of many public offices
• International Society for Individual Liberty, Michigan Chapter