The 52nd Convention of the Libertarian Party of New York was held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at the Albany Courtyard Thruway Hotel in Albany. Chair Andrew Kolstee called the convention and organization meeting to order. The original agenda was adjusted, but once we got started, three vacancies were filled on the State Committee: Evan Lebrecht (JD3), Chuck Dorgan (JD6), and Susan Overeem-Cummings (JD13).
The State Committee voted to restucture the Executive Committee. Since 1972, the LPNY has had two Vice-Chairs, which have been referred to as the 1st and 2nd Vice-Chairs respectively since 2019. However, the 2nd Vice-Chair position was eliminated and now there is only one Vice-Chair position. Secondly, the Members-At-Large were replaced with Director positions: Communications, Fundraising, IT, Legislative Affairs, Outreach, Political, and Volunteer.
A panel discussion was held focused on strategies to grow the Libertarian Party and movement with LPNY 1st Vice-Chair Duane Whitmer and LNC Region 6 Representative Pat Ford.
Election of officers took place, first with the position of Chair. Incumbent Chair Andrew Kolstee opted not to seek re-election. Nominees were Orange County Vice-Chair Pietro Geraci and LPNY 1st Vice-Chair Duane Whitmer, but Whitmer withdrew from the race. Geraci lost to None of the Above (NOTA) and so another election was held. In the second election, it was between Duane Whitmer and Staten Island Chair Susan Overeem-Cummings. Whitmer defeated Overeem-Cummings in the first round of the second election to beome the 36th Chair of the Libertarian Party of New York.
In the election for Vice-Chair, it was between incumbent LPNY Secretary Mark Braiman and Platform Committee Chair Dan Castello. Castello defeated Braiman and was elected the sole Vice-Chair. In the election for Secretary, incumbent Braiman opted not to run for re-election. Chair Andrew Kolstee was elected Secretary unopposed, having previously served in the postion from 2020 to 2022. Manhattan Chair Chance Haywood was elected Treasurer, also unopposed.
The seven director positions were elected, with only the Communications Director contested: Brooklyn Chair Christopher Skelly defeated Onondaga County Secretary Rose Leatherman to be elected the new Communications Director, a position that had been vacant since January 2024.
The six remaining directorships were unopposed: former State Chair Mark Axinn was elected Fudnraising Director; incumbent IT Director Justin Carman was re-elected to the position; outgoing 2nd Vice-Chair and incumbent Legislative Affairs Director Rich Purtell was re-elected to the director position; Orange County Vice-Chair Pietro Geraci was elected Outreach Director, a position that had also been vacant since January 2024; incumbent Political Director Paul Grindle was re-elected to the position; and Dutchess County Chair Catrina Rocco was elected Volunteer Director.
The convention concluded with a memorial tribute to Darryl Bonner, Mark Glogowski, Michael Rebmann, and Len Morlock, all who have passed away this year. Their contributions to the party were highlighted and convention participants recounted memories of our fellow liberty activists who have passed.
