NORRISTOWN, PA - Three Montgomery County Pennsylvania Libertarian candidates running for local office were notified late last week that their ballot access is being challenged in court. Joseph Van Wagner, Libertarian candidate for Upper Hanover Township Supervisor, Marc Bozzacco, Libertarian candidate for Abington Ward 6 Commissioner, and Jennifer Moore, Libertarian candidate for Upper Providence Auditor, are taking the challenge in stride.
Joe Van Wagner demonstrated his frustration. “The two establishment parties are using the court system as a cudgel to threaten anyone who challenges their ideas. They even stooped low enough to falsely accuse me of forgery on a nomination form.” Van Wagner, a software developer, denies the accusation. “The Libertarian message of personal freedom and financial responsibility resonates with voters who nominated me in Upper Hanover Township. It’s time for a change.” The petition to block Van Wagner from getting on the ballot was filed by his Republican opponent Steven R. Rothenberger.
Jennifer Moore, a hospital worker and mother of two young children, questioned the motivation of her accusers. "The Auditor position in Upper Providence is uncontested by the two major parties. It is hard to understand why anyone would waste the time and resources of the court to challenge a position that no one else was interested in running for. I have followed the rules and acted in good faith in an effort to serve my community. It is disappointing how difficult it has become for the average citizen's voice to be heard, even at the local level." Moore’s access to the ballot was challenged by current Upper Providence Supervisor Albert Vagnozzi.
Sixteen-year Abington resident and candidate for Commissioner Marc Bozzacco had his ballot access challenged by Republican incumbent Stephen J. Kalinoski. ”The people of Abington deserve a principled person to serve on the board of Commissioners. Using legal action to intimidate competition in a local election is a new low, even for Kalinoski. This only strengthens my resolve to fight to restore the integrity that Abington is known for.”
Andrew Hatstat, Chairman of the Montgomery County Libertarian Committee was disappointed but not surprised. “The two major parties are losing support. They will do just about anything to avoid competition from third party and independent candidates. Voters deserve more than two bad choices. We will continue to fight to give voters that choice.”
The candidates all intend to defend their right to be on the ballot this November. The first hearing will be held at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at 1:30 PM.
Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the state and the nation, with over 150 elected and appointed officials currently serving in office nationwide, and 40 in Pennsylvania. Libertarians are fiscally conservative and socially liberal, and like the Founding Fathers, Libertarians believe that you have the inalienable right to conduct your life as you see fit, without interference, so long as you respect the rights and property of others.
For more information about the Libertarian Party, the public is invited to contact the Montgomery County Libertarians at www.MontcoLp.org, the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania at www.LpPa.org or (800) R-RIGHTS, or the National Libertarian Party at www.Lp.org or (202) 333-0008.
There have been many historic presidential runs in the Libertarian Party since its founding just a few short decades ago and along with them many Libertarian National Conventions. Still fresh on our mind will be the exciting and perhaps sometimes tumultuous 2016 presidential campaign. With many memorable moments throughout the LP presidential debates that built up to the convention perhaps one that stuck out was an epic closing statement by the late Marc Feldman who famously stated he was “THAT Libertarian” in his statement he added that he was “a no pain, no gain, get that petition signed in the rain Libertarian”
As something of an aspiring activist in the liberty movement myself I have become of the persuasion that our movement could use many more of “those libertarians”. In the spirit of putting my money where my mouth is so to speak I decided it might be worth a try to engage in some petitioning activities myself, but on a local level rather than a presidential one. It was the first time I had ever gone door to door and directly approached individuals in the general public in this endeavor, so needless to say I did feel out of my element, and while there was no rain to beat down upon us the blazing summer sun presented a challenge of its own. Even so, I and the other volunteers along with our county controller candidate Steve Brenize, mobilized quickly to gather those signatures. While the whole process seemed intimidating at first before, I knew it, it almost felt natural. We received a generally mixed reception that seemed to vary with each person we approached. One or two angry reactions were endured but I've found over time that those get easier to deal with especially as you learn not take it personally, and that for the most part they were few and far between. The majority of our visits were courteous and amiable , but still failed to produce the desired results for various reasons, and ever the up hill battle we even found ourselves asked to leave while gathering signatures outside of a public library. The challenges are there and they are real, but I've found that the key is to hold your head up high and remember to maintain a positive attitude. The most important lesson I learned upon finally obtaining my first signature was a simple and yet profound one: liberty is won one person at a time.
In business you often find that you are not always selling a product or service but are more often selling yourself. Your potential customers are more likely to nibble when you have a personal experience with them face to face as opposed to more impersonal forms of marketing, which require a much wider reach to be effective. So it is with our movement. Our success will depend less on the and glitz and glamour of crowded national conventions and more on the individual efforts of normal, everyday people like you and I, and even more so on a local level. We cannot compete with the corporate sponsorship of the major parties, but we can build a grassroots movement from the ground up. What you'll find is that the more people know you and what you're about the more positive the response will be, but this will not be from the massive efforts of a large party but from the efforts dedicated individuals and positive experiences with every day people, and finally the results that proceed should they be elected office. The true activism in the Libertarian movement then, must start at a local level with the communities and the people we have access to here and now.
For that reason, I urge more libertarians to become involved in local politics. It's easy to rant on social media or battle it out in the comments sections of an online article or YouTube video but if you want to accomplish real change you have to get out there and fight for it. The fame and allure of national politics are hard to resist, but if we ever want to be taken seriously there we have to start right here. We need more candidates and just as importantly our candidates need more help. No man is an island, and this is true even in the party of the individual. Our victory will not be achieved with the rise of a breakthrough presidential campaign that only comes around once every four years. It will be achieved by you and I making waves and spreading our message right here, right now, one person at a time.
David B. Beaver
For the second year in a row, the PA General Assembly has passed an unbalanced appropriations bill and Gov. Wolf has decided to let it pass without his signature. Over the last year the state collected over a billion dollars less than originally estimated, but that did not stop the General Assembly from adding another $450 million in spending to this year’s budget which has a deficit of $2 billion.
In the PA Constitution Article VIII Section 13(a) it states, “Operating budget appropriations made by the General Assembly shall not exceed the actual and estimated revenues and surplus available in the same fiscal year.”
In the PA Administrative Code Article VI Section 618(a) it states, “The Governor shall item veto any part of any appropriation bill that causes total appropriations to exceed the official estimate plus any unappropriated surplus.”
PA is currently operating under a Democratic Governor and Republican General Assembly. Both major parties are to blame for this blatant disregard for our state’s Constitution as well as its laws. In 2018, the people of Pennsylvania will have the power to hold these public servants accountable for their failures. There is another option in the Libertarian Party.
In response to this lawlessness, the State Chair of the Libertarian Party, Drew Bingaman, said, ”Typical of Harrisburg, they cannot come to a balanced budget because nobody will do what needs done, which is cut spending. Too many special interests rely on these budgets and nobody is willing to give up their piece of the pie. Meanwhile the people of the Commonwealth continue to be robbed blind barely able to make ends meet.”
Steven Brenize, Secretary for the Libertarian Party in PA added the following on the state of the Commonwealth, “The state legislature and executive branch has continued its trend of solving problems that they themselves caused with band aids and partisan indecision. For multiple decades Harrisburg has been negligent in its defined duties, instead focusing on the amount of revenue it can suck out of our communities while adding no value. The commonwealth government has become nothing more than a high-rate loan shark that taxes our communities with the sole purpose of getting their cut and adding costs and hurdles to projects in communities across the state. The Libertarian Party seeks to work with citizens around the commonwealth to elect a government that will empower and strengthen our communities instead of threatening and punishing innovation.”
Don’t let career politicians get away with kicking the can down the road and not making the hard decisions now. Vote for real fiscal responsibility and liberty in 2018 or even better run for office yourself and let’s clear out the career politicians. Our great nation, founded on the principles of liberty was formed in this state and it is past time we return to those principles and reign in the behemoth that is Harrisburg.
Find out more at www.LPPA.org
Homeless Advocate Secures Libertarian Party Nomination for Commonwealth Court
Pittsburgh - June 2, 2017 - Pittsburgh attorney, Drew G. Miller, became the Libertarian Party candidate for Commonwealth Court at the party’s state convention and is now seeking signatures to be on the November ballot . He is the party’s only statewide candidate, and if elected, would become the youngest member of the 9-judge appellate court at just 37 year of age.
Miller, a self-described political centrist, is running for a judicial seat in order to offer voters a 3rd party option, and to recreate a Constitution-centered judiciary. He has chosen to run for Commonwealth Court because it has original jurisdiction over lawsuits against the government. “Every state law that impacts your civil liberties on issues such as marijuana, gender equality, guns, education, healthcare and the environment, would likely begin or end with the Commonwealth Court,” said Miller, “Simply put, the Commonwealth Court could be the first -- and last -- defense against government overreach, and I promise that if elect, I will diligently work to protect all Pennsylvanians from government injustices.”
As former Legal Counsel to the Majority Whip of the Pennsylvania Senate, Miller has 3 years of experience working for the government where he helped to resolve over 3,000 constituent issues. However, he is most passionate about his role as Board President of one of the largest human services organization in Pittsburgh, where he advocates ending homelessness and hunger in Allegheny County.
“The Commonwealth Court handles cases mostly involving state government or its agencies. Therefore electing Libertarian Drew Gray Miller becomes extremely important as the State increases regulations and expands taxation across the Commonwealth. Major victories can happen rapidly that restore freedoms and strike down bad laws” said Drew Bingaman Chair of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania of the Party’s support for Mr. Miller. In order to be on the November ballot, Miller must obtain at least 2,500 signatures from registered PA voters, including a minimum of 250 signatures each from at least 5 counties, by August 1st. The Libertarian Party of PA is calling on all of its members, and anyone who would like to see a 3rd party option, to get signatures.
For more information on Miller or to schedule an Interview contact:
Drew G. Miller
(412) 760-3286
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.DrewForJudge.com
Facebook.com/DrewGrayMiller
For information on the LPPA contact.
Steven Brenize
(717) 360-0565
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CONTACT: Steve Brenize
E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2017
WEB: www.LPPA.org
Libertarian Party Sees Growth and Opportunity
HARRISBURG, PA, [April 2, 2017] – Following a year of growth and ballot successes, advocates of liberty from around the Commonwealth gathered in Harrisburg for a weekend of speakers and professional development. During their yearly convention held April 2nd at the Harrisburg Hilton, the members of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania selected a diverse and enthusiastic leadership team going into the 2017 election season.
Drew Bingaman of Northumberland County was elected Chairman. Bingaman has served as the Chairman of the Susquehanna Valley Libertarian Party since 2013 and represented Pennsylvania as a delegate to the 2016 Libertarian Party National Convention.
“In order to capitalize on the momentum of the 2016 presidential race the LPPA needs to run candidates that offer a real alternative to the status quo” Bingaman said. “It is clear that Pennsylvania voters want change, and the LP offers a principled alternative that will have a positive effect on their lives.”
Jessica Santiago of Alleghany County, William Sloan of Cumberland County, and Chris Bastone of Philadelphia were elected to the Western, Central, and Eastern Vice-Chairmanships respectively; Joseph Soloski of Centre County was elected Treasurer and Steven Brenize of Cumberland County was unanimously elected Secretary.
“Our people are energized and motivated. The great dissatisfaction with the established parties also gives us a great opportunity to reach new young voters and independents who make up a large percentage of the voter base” Chris Bastone, an Air Force veteran and finance professional, offered.
Jessica Santiago, a Regional Manager for a large non-profit and self-described “PTA mom”, said “People are looking for new political homes. People are feeling divided, uncertain, and some are having serious buyer's remorse. We can capitalize on this opportunity by reaching people from a place of reason, logic, and possibility. I believe we can do this at every level from the ground up.”
Newly elected treasurer, and a CPA with over 30 years’ experience, Joe Soloski is looking forward to solidifying the LPPA’s financial footing. Soloski “would like to see the LPPA positioned to assist viable Libertarian candidates get elected to various offices. Financial strength and liquidity will allow us to do just that,” he continued “our personal liberty principles resonate with people in all walks of life. This is our best moment yet to continue to attract people to our Party of reason and common sense.”
The new leadership team will be hitting the ground running with support and assistance from outside the Commonwealth. During the Pennsylvania Leaders Forum, a professional development conference hosted by Pennsylvanians for Liberty the day before the convention, members of the party heard from potential nominees for 2018 state-wide races. Also speaking was the Vice-Chairman of the Libertarian National Committee, Arvin Vorha.
“The enthusiasm is off the charts” Vorha said. “People who want freedom are coming to us. And we are seeing that happening now not just at the national scene, but the state level. We are seeing all these people who are saying ‘I have been a republican or democrat my whole life, but they aren’t giving me what I want’ which is more freedom.”
Headlining the Pennsylvania Leaders Forum was Larry Sharpe, a 2016 candidate for the Libertarian Party Vice-Presidential nomination. Sharpe, a Marine Corp veteran, entrepreneur, and business consultant is touring the country to support party unity and growth.
“Once the election was over last year, we did well but a lot of people wanted more. So there was still a level of disappointment even though we had a good year,” Sharpe explained “I thought the answer was for me to run around the country... I am trying my best to keep that message going because too many people have decided that once 2016 was over, the next answer was 2020. And its not. It 2017, ‘18, ’19, then ’20. If we want a shot at victory in 2020, we have to build our momentum, our infrastructure in ’17, ’18, ’19. I am going to try my best to do that.”
The Pennsylvania Leaders Forum was organized by Marc Bozzacco of Montgomery County and Steven Brenize. The pair were soundly cheered during the convention for their successful event; Brenize was elected secretary in the lone unanimous vote of the day.
“The excitement of the membership from the 2016 Johnson campaign and around the platform of the party is a springboard for growth. I encourage all Pennsylvania residents upset with the two party system to join us as we run Libertarian candidates in 2017 and beyond” offered Brenize, a former member of the Shippensburg Borough Council and an infectious optimist, is ready to take the LPPA one step further but recognizes the challenges that lie ahead. “We will hit the ground running but we have to be real, we are the trying to climb Mt Everest” Brenize said, “what we did today was book the plane ticket to Nepal... but people do reach the summit every year.”
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The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania is the third largest political party in the Commonwealth and advocates for less government, more freedom. For more information please visit LPPA.org or for media inquiries please email Steven Brenize at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Drew Bingaman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
