On March 16-17, 2024, the Libertarian Party of New York held its nominating convention at the Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen, New York. The event was a huge success and special thanks to Michael Rebmann for organizing the event as Chair of the organizing committee. Catrina Rocco and Craig Colwell were also on the organizing committee.
On Saturday, March 16, the convention kicked off with the first speaker, LNC Chair Angela McArdle, tuning in remotely via Zoom. The business meeting was formally called to order and three vacancies were filled on the State Committee: James Fitch and Amber Nunes in Judicial District 5 and Vince O’Neill in Judicial District 10.
Nominations were called for the position of stand-in for President. Since the Libertarian National Convention will be held in late May 2024, which is at the end of the 2024 petitioning period, a stand-in candidate is needed to get on the ballot in order for the Libertarian Party’s Presidential nominee to be on the ballot in New York. After petitions are turned in, the stand-in candidates can withdraw, and the Committee on Vacancies can replace the stand-in candidate with the candidate nominated at the National Convention.
There were two nominees for the stand-in for President: Larry Sharpe, the LPNY’s candidate for Governor of New York in 2018 and 2022; and Rich Purtell, 2nd Vice-Chair of the LPNY, who has also run as a Libertarian Party candidate for office several times.
Larry Sharpe received 18 votes , Rich Purtell recieved 8 votes, None of the Above (NOTA) recieved 4 votes. There was an additional 2 write-in votes and one abstention. Sharpe became the LPNY’s stand-in candidate for President.
There were three nominees for the stand-in for Vice President: Rich Purtell, as mentioned earlier, along with Spike Cohen, the Libertarian Party’s candidate for Vice Presidentin 2020, who declined the nomination, as well as Christopher Olenski, Member of the State Committee from Judicial District 6.
Rich Purtell received 19 votes and Christopher Olenski recieved 14 votes. There was an additional write-in vote and an abstention. Purtell became the LPNY’s stand-in for Vice President.
The LPNY declined to nominate a candidate for U.S. Senate in order to partner with Diane Sare, Indepndent candidate for U.S. Senate, in the petitioning drive. Petitioning begins April 16, 2024 and the filing dates are May 21-28, 2024. During that time, the Libertarian Party of New York needs over 45,000 signatures, likely in the range of 60,000 to 70,000, in order to get the stand-in candidates on the ballot and withstand any challnges to the petitions.
The afternoon speaker was LPNY 1st Vice-Chair Duane Whitmer, before the business meeting adjourned for the day.
On Saturday evening, a Presidential reception was held, in which several prizes were auctioned off to raise money for the party. Special thanks to Catrina Rocco for gathering prizes and for Larry Sharpe for serving as our auctioneer.
On Sunday, March 17, Diane Sare, independent candidate for U.S. Senate, was our breakfast speaker.
Following this was our Presidential debate, with Larry Sharpe as moderator. 7 Presidential candidates participated: Charles Ballay, Joseph Collins, Jr., Jacob Hornberger, Lars Mapstead, Chase Oliver, Michael Rectenwald, and Mike ter Maat. The debate was recorded and can be found on the LPNY’s YouTube channel.
Following the debate, LNC Region 8 Representative Pat Ford was our lunch speaker, giving a presentation on earned media. Continuation of business was suppose to occur after lunch, but the State Committee failed to reach quorum.