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Libertarian Party Sees Growth and Opportunity

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.

Trent Somes

For immediate release

November 16, 2015

Teen Libertarian Starts New Political Organization
Westmoreland County Libertarians will advance ideas of smaller government, lower taxes

Trent  Somes,  III,  may  not  be  old  enough  to  vote but  that  didn’t  stop  him  from  creating  a  new  political organization dedicated to ensuring that the residents of one western Pennsylvania county can enjoy all of their  freedoms,  all  of  the  time.  The  17 – year - old  junior  at  Penn - Trafford  High  School  founded  the Westmoreland  County  Libertarians  (WCL)  after  learning  about  libertarian  ideals  and  realizing  that  they represent the best hope for securing our country’s future.

The  WCL  held  its  inaugural  meeting  yesterday afternoon on  the  steps  of  the  historic Westmoreland County  Courthouse  in  Greensburg,  PA.  Following  opening  remarks  by  Libertarian  Party  of  Pennsylvania (LPPA)  media  relations  chair  Nick  Frollini,  the  WCL  adopted  its  organizational  documents,  elected  its initial officers, and formally approved a petition to the LPPA for recognition as the official Westmoreland Country affiliate of the Pennsylvania branch of the third largest political party in the country.

In  addition  to  Trent,  who  was  named  chair  of  the WCL,  elected  were:  Nick  Testa,  vice  chair;  Alexander Davis, finance chair; Evan Buchanan, treasurer; and Thomas Strang, secretary. While the other members of the board are old enough to vote, the

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PA Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Libertarians and Common Sense

For Immediate Release
October 12, 2012
Harrisburg, PA

PA Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Libertarians and Common Sense

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that each nominating petition signature line does not have to include the year as part of the date in order to be considered valid when “Revised January, 2012” is printed at the bottom of each form. An August Commonwealth Court ruling sided with Republicans, disqualifying 1,459 signatures on Libertarian petitions where the year was missing. By reversing the lower court, the Supreme Court struck a blow for common sense and increased the safety margin by which Libertarians exceeded the 20,601 signatures needed to get on the November ballot.

Libertarian presidential candidate and former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson, was added to the ballot on August 1, along with the entire slate of Libertarian Party candidates. Apparently fearing that Johnson would draw more Republican than Democrat votes, Republicans challenged the Libertarians, claiming that many of their signatures were invalid. Libertarians were dragged through a grueling and costly 9-week signature verification process that culminated Wednesday when Commonwealth Court Senior Judge Colins ruled that Libertarians had more than enough signatures and could remain on the ballot regardless of how the Supreme Court ruled on two appealed issues.

The following Libertarian candidates will remain ON the November 6 ballot:

• President Governor Gary Johnson
• Vice President Judge James Gray
• U.S. Senate Rayburn Douglas Smith
• PA Attorney General Marakay J. Rogers
• PA Auditor General Betsy Summers
• PA Treasurer Patricia M. Fryman


“The Supreme Court’s ruling is significant because it increases the valid signature total to the point where any Republican appeal of Judge Colins’ decision would appear to be doomed,” Libertarian attorney Paul A. Rossi said this morning. Yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling, when combined with another Commonwealth Court decision in Libertarians’ favor that the Supreme Court allowed to stand, means that the valid signature total is now 24,252 versus 20,601 required.

John Karr, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania Elections Committee, observed, “The entire process was heavily biased in favor of the Republicans. We beat them at their own game. Their attorneys are whining that they didn’t have enough time. Nine weeks is not enough time? Voters desperately need meaningful choices on the ballot. If Republicans fear healthy competition, they should nominate better candidates instead of attempting to deny voters those choices.”

The Libertarian Party is the party of principle. That principle is simply, “Live and let live.” With over a quarter million Americans registered Libertarian, it is the largest and best alternative for those who want smaller government and more freedom. Visit www.LP.org and www.LPPA.org for more information.

For additional information:
Contact: Roy Minet (Media Relations Committee Chair) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or
Dr. Tom Stevens (LPPA Chair) at 1-718-357-7075 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Schuylkill County- News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2015

The Libertarian Party of Schuylkill County (LPSC) has officially announced their
candidates for 2015. Party members recently voted to endorse the following candidates:

Nelson Reppert County Commissioner & Cressona Borough Council
Sandra Walters North Manheim Township Supervisor
James Foose North Manheim Township Constable
Daniel Noll Tremont Borough Council
Christopher Bagenstose Shenandoah Borough Council
Amysue Shappell East Norwegian Township Auditor
Michael Kelley Wayne Township Auditor
Charles Lescoe Cressona Constable
Andrew Raibeck Schuylkill Haven Constable
David Sheriff Pottsville Constable
Robert Kobige Minersville Constable


"We are excited to endorse such a great slate of candidates this year," LPSC
Chairman Shawn Felty commented. "We believe they will embody the principles of
limited, constitutional government while defending personal liberty."



Libertarians Defeat Republican Attempt to Restrict Voter Choice

For Immediate Release
October 10, 2012
Philadelphia, PA

Libertarians Defeat Republican Attempt to Restrict Voter Choice
Presidential Candidate Governor Gary Johnson Remains on the PA Ballot

Commonwealth Court Senior Judge James G. Colins ruled late today that the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania has filed nominating petitions containing more than the required 20,601 valid signatures and that the entire slate of statewide Libertarian candidates will remain on the November 6 general election ballot. The ruling was a stinging defeat for Republicans who waged a grueling and expensive 9-week battle to force their Libertarian Party competition off the November ballot and deprive voters of meaningful choices.

Libertarian Party presidential candidate and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson said, “It is a travesty of the democratic process that Libertarians were required to endure such a drawn-out, expensive and unnecessary attack on their right to be on the ballot. Voters in every state deserve real choices in this election, and it is clear that the Republican Party, not only in Pennsylvania, but in key states across the country, will go to any lengths to keep liberty, nonintervention and smaller government off the ballot.”

LPPA Chair Dr. Tom Stevens commented, “The rotten Republicans in their 800-dollar suits used every trick in their playbook to try to short-circuit the democratic process and defeat us. In the end, we beat them outright without even needing to wait for a favorable Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on two outstanding legal issues. With little money and an army of dedicated volunteers, we stood up to the superior resources of the Republican Party, never once considering capitulation, even though we faced the possibility of a significant assessment of costs, sanctions and attorneys fees if we lost. Now, the voters of Pennsylvania have a real choice and can vote for candidates who support the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, Civil Liberties and respect every individual’s right to life, liberty and property – without exception.”

The following Libertarian candidates will remain ON the November 6 ballot:

• President Governor Gary Johnson
• Vice President Judge James Gray
• U.S. Senate Rayburn Douglas Smith
• PA Attorney General Marakay J. Rogers
• PA Auditor General Betsy Summers
• PA Treasurer Patricia M. Fryman


Statewide Libertarian candidates were required to file nominating petitions containing at least 20,601 signatures, far more than most states require and many times the number that old party candidates must file. In past years, the requirement has been as high as 60,000. On August 1, Libertarians filed petitions containing over 49,000 signatures, more than twice the number needed. A week later, Republicans challenged about 40,000 of these.

Libertarians were required to field teams of at least 20 people each day for two weeks in Philadelphia. Each was paired with a Republican and a computer operator in order to tediously review challenged signatures. A similar operation was conducted in Harrisburg the following week. After this effort, approximately 14,000 signatures remained contested. For the next four weeks, four teams of lawyers and volunteers meticulously re-reviewed the contested signatures under court supervision.

The herculean effort to defend against the challenge was supported by more than 85 very dedicated volunteers hailing from seven states. Some traveled great distances, paid to stay in motels, sacrificed vacation days and/or lost pay. Roy Minet, who coordinated the massive, marathon volunteer effort, stated, “Our volunteers are truly noble. We appreciate that we even had a few Green Party volunteers.” Surprisingly, the Greens were not challenged this time around. “Some Republicans, who said they couldn’t ‘stomach’ what their party was trying to do, helped us as well,” Minet added.

The Libertarian Party is the party of principle. That principle is simply, “Live and let live.” With over a quarter million Americans registered Libertarian, it is the largest and best alternative for those who want smaller government and more freedom. Visit www.LP.org and www.LPPA.org for more information.

For additional information:
Contact: Roy Minet (Media Relations Committee Chair) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or
Dr. Tom Stevens (LPPA Chair) at 1-718-357-7075 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.