Libertarian Party of Indiana

Libertarian Party of Indiana
Libertarian Party of Indiana
Chairperson	Evan McMahon
Founded	July 14, 1974
Headquarters	1111 E 54th St, Ste 158; Indianapolis, IN 46220 ; (317) 920-1994
Ideology	Libertarianism
National affiliation	Libertarian Party (United States)
Colors	Gold1
U.S. Senate	0 / 2
U.S. House	0 / 9
Statewide Executive Offices	0 / 7
State Senate	0 / 50
State House	0 / 100
Other elected officials	7 (June 2024)
Website
	www.lpin.org
	Politics of the United States; Political parties; Elections;

The Libertarian Party of Indiana is the Indiana affiliate of the Libertarian Party.

History and operations

The founding meeting of the Libertarian Party of Indiana was held on July 14, 1974, at the Holiday Inn at Weir Cook Airport (now called the Indianapolis International Airport). Approximately 20–25 people attended including Paul Hyatt, Tom Duncan, Marvin Lazaro, Brian Bernstein, Dick Smith, Steve Butterbaugh, and Charlie Reisert. Reisert made the motion to start the Libertarian Party of Indiana. The first headquarters was located at 1430 N. Capitol Avenue in Indianapolis. The LPIN became a minor political party in 1994 after achieving ballot access when Steve Dillon received more than 2% of the vote running for Secretary of State.

In 2008, the Libertarian presidential ticket of Bob Barr and Wayne Allyn Root had their strongest showing in Indiana, receiving 1.1% of the vote (19,243 votes).^[2] The party's best finish in a statewide race came in 2006 when US Senate candidate Steve Osborn received about 13% of the vote.^[3] Osborn had the best result for a third-party candidate running for the Senate in the 2006 elections.

Officials and staff

Officers	Officer Name (First, Last) ^[4]
Chairman	Evan McMahon ^[5]
Vice-chairman	James Sceniak ^[6]
Secretary	Stephanie Dasbach ^[7]
Treasurer	Ronnie Dickson ^[8]
Staff	Staff Name (First, Last)
IT Director	Michael Schultheiss ^[9]
Political Director	Vacant
Communication Director	Andrew Smith ^[10]
Outreach Director	Elizabeth Coquillard ^[11]

State Central Committee

Congressional District	Representative Name
1	John Schick ^[12]
2	Tim Cotton ^[13]
3	Kristi Avery ^[14]
4	Danny Lundy ^[15]
5	Lauri Shillings ^[16]
6	Luke Lomax ^[17]
7	Elizabeth 'Libby' Glass
8	Micahn Haynes ^[18]
9	Kelly Curran ^[19]

National Committee Representative

Region	Representative Name(First, Last)
5	Dustin Nanna ^[20]
Alternate	Gregory Hertzsch ^[21]

Current elected officeholders

As of 2019^[update], there are eight Libertarian members who hold elected office in Indiana.^[22]

Susan Bell – Town Judge, Hagerstown
Cheryl Heacox – Advisory Board, Clay Township
Larry Walters – Town Council, Dublin
Jessica Wallace – Town Council, at large, Larwill
Renee Sweeney – Town Council, Ossian
Jamie Jo Owens – Trustee, Liberty Township
Terry Coffman – Advisory Board, Liberty Township
Dean Hartley – Advisory Board, Franklin Township
Ryan Coby – Town Council, Milton
Nathan Kring – City Council, Tipton
Patricia Warner – Clerk-Treasurer, Claypool
Matthew Kennedy – City Council, New Haven

Appointed officeholders

Several Libertarians have been appointed to offices in Indiana:^[22]

Mark W. Rutherford – Chairman, Indiana Public Defender Commission (Since 2007)
Scott Baker – Elkhart County Innkeepers Tax Commission (Since 2006)
Joyce Morrell – Rush County Fiber Optic Board (Since 2016)
Tom Monka – Rush County Planning Commission (Since 2016)
Michael Dowden – Town of Brownsburg Economic Development Commission (2017–2020);^[23] Town of Brownsburg Improvement Committee (2017);^[23] Town of Brownsburg Redevelopment Authority (2014–2016)^[24]
Paul Morrell – Chairman, Rush County Sheriff's Officer Merit Board (Since 2017)
Jeffrey Mauer – Carmel Economic Development Commission (Since 2020); Home Place Advisory Board (Since 2018)
Anna Elliott – Martinsville Board of Zoning Appeals, Vice-chair (Since 2019)
Shane Lemler – Vincennes Urban Enterprise Association Board (Since 2020)
Joel Samuelson – Culver Planning Commission (Since 2020)
Joseph Bachman – New Chicago Planning Commission (Since 2020); New Chicago Parks Board (Since 2020)
Jennifer Meador – Mooresville Board of Zoning Appeals (Since 2021)
Ryan Patterson – Secretary, Franklin County Economic Development Commission (Since 2021)

Past state chairs

Year Start	Year End	Name (First, Last)
1974	1976	Paul Hyatt
1976	1979	Sally (Heistand) Callin
1979	1980	Joseph Hauptmann
1981	N/A	Joe Bryan (deceased)
1981	1982	Kevin Grant
1983	N/A	Mike Fallahay
1984	1985	Steve Dasbach
1985	1986	Jim Reidenauer (deceased)
1986	1987	Dr. Walter Weeks
1987	1988	Roger Strater
1988	N/A	Bonnie Flemmonds
1988	1989	Steve Dasbach
1989	1996	Dr. Barbara Bourland
1996	1998	Rob Shuford
1998	2000	Joseph Hauptmann
2000	2007	Mark Rutherford
2007	2009	Todd Singer
2009	2013	Sam Goldstein
2013	2015	Dan Drexler
2015	2017	Joseph Hauptmann
2017	2021	Timothy Maguire
2021	present	Evan McMahon

Past candidates

Donald Rainwater was the 2020 LPIN nominee for Governor for Indiana. He lost to incumbent Governor Eric Holcomb, but he made a huge impact in the election having received 11.4% (345,567 votes) of the vote after polling as high as 25%. His success has invigorated the Libertarian Party of Indiana, especially in the light of his 2nd-place finish in 1/3 of the 92 counties. Their motto in the 2021 convention, "Level Up" has inspired them to make serious moves to be a party of contention in Indiana politics.^[25]
Steve Osborn is an American politician. He was the 2006 Libertarian Party nominee for US Senate from Indiana.^[26] He lost to incumbent Republican Senator Dick Lugar in the 2006 United States Senate election in Indiana.^[26] He was Lugar's only opponent on the ballot in that election, as the Democratic Party did not field a candidate.^[26] Osborn received about 13% of the vote, the best result for a Libertarian in the 2006 U.S. national-level elections.^[3]^[27] His previous political experience includes attempted bids for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Representative in his home district in 2000 and 2002. Steve Osborn is from La Porte, Indiana.^[26]
Paul Hager ran for the U.S. Representative in Indiana's 8th district in 1994, 1996, and 1998. Also, he ran for US Senate in 2000.^[28]^[29] In 2002, he ran for Indiana Secretary of State^[30] on the issue of voting reform.^[31]

Awards

Awards are presented at the LPIN Convention each year. With the exception of one award, all winners are granted their award by a vote of the LPIN membership.^[32]

Dr. Barbara Bourland Light of Liberty Award: The recipient is honored as the person most responsible for the growth of the party and dedication to the libertarian cause.^[32]

Year Awarded	Recipient (First, Last)	County
2025	Donald Rainwater	Johnson
2024
2023	James Sceniak	Johnson
2022	Donald Rainwater	Hamilton
2021	Danny Lundy	Morgan
2020	Kristi Avery	Allen
2019	Bill Bean	Marion
2018	Jeremiah Morrell	Henry
2017	Rex Bell	Wayne
2016	Karl Tatgenhorst	Porter
2015	Greg Hertzsch	Clark
2014	Beth Duensing	Lake
2013	Chris Spangle	Johnson
2012	Evan McMahon	Marion
2011	Joyce Morrell	Rush
2011	Paul Morrell	Rush
2010	Allison Maguire	Marion
2009	Dan Drexler	LaPorte
2008	Timothy Maguire	Marion
2007	Mike Kole	Hamilton
2006	Greg Kelver	LaPorte
2005	Rex Bell	Wayne
2004	Phil Miller	Hancock
2003	Rebecca Sink-Burris	Monroe
2002	Sam Goldstein	Marion
2001	Mark Rutherford	Marion
2001	Andy Horning	Marion
2000	Kurt St. Angelo	Marion
1999	Steve Dillon	Marion

Susan Bell Officeholder of the Year Award: Awarded to a current elected officeholder of the Libertarian Party that best promotes libertarian principles and values through public service.^[32]

Year Awarded	Recipient (First, Last)	County
2025	Clayton Soultz	Grant
2024
2023	Luke Jackson	Morgan
2022	Susan Bell	Wayne
2021	Nathan Kring	Tipton
2020	Danny Lundy	Morgan
2019	Jamie Jo Owens	Henry
2018	Paul Morrell	Rush
2017	Susan Bell	Wayne
2016	Chris Mayo	Marion
2015	Steve Coffman	Henry
2014	Brad Klopfenstein	Marion
2013	Al Cox	Brown
2012	Mark Rutherford	Marion
2011	Edward Coleman	Marion
2010	Edward Coleman	Marion
2009	Susan Bell	Wayne
2006	Ed Dilts	Johnson

Ken Bisson Outreach Award: Awarded to a party member who has striven to spread the message of libertarian principles to as many potential voters as is possible.^[32]

Year Awarded	Recipient (First, Last)	County
2023	Andrew Horning	Owen
2024
2023	James Sceniak	Johnson
2022	Cassandra Rolon	Kosciusko
2021	Sam Goldstein	Hamilton
2020	Chuck Pullen	Lake
2019	Lucy Brenton	Hamilton
2019	Danny Lundy	Morgan
2018	Dakota Davis	Henry
2017	Rodney Benker	Johnson
2016	Rodney Benker	Johnson
2015	Donna Dunn	Lake
2014	Andrew Horning	Owen
2013	Chris Spangle	Johnson
2012	Rupert Boneham	Marion
2011	Rex Bell	Wayne
2010	Jerry Titus	Howard
2010	Paul Morrell	Rush
2009	Doug Horner	Allen
2006	Mike Sylvester	Allen

Joe Hauptmann Campaign Leadership Award: Awarded to a campaign volunteer who has worked above and beyond in an extraordinary fashion, and has significantly contributed to the success of a campaign.^[32]

Year Awarded	Recipient (First, Last)	County
2025	Kristin Alexander	Monroe
2024
2023	Stephanie Dasbach	Hamilton
2022	Danny Lundy	Morgan
2021	Lauri Shillings	Hamilton
2020	Kristi Avery	Allen
2019	Jeff Maurer	Hamilton
2018
2017	Jeremiah Morrell	Henry
2016	Angela Fisher	Marion
2015	Michael Sandridge	Lake
2013	Miah Akston	Johnson
2012	Allison Maguire	Marion
2012	Evan McMahon	Marion
2012	Chris Gault	Marion
2011	Dan Drexler	LaPorte
2010	Paul Morrell	Rush
2010	Jerry Titus	Howard
2009	Melanie Hughes	Floyd
2009	Allison Maguire	Marion
2009	Tim Maguire	Marion
2005	Sheri Conover Sharlow	Grant

Phil Miller Candidate of the Year: Awarded to a Libertarian Candidate that has shown an extraordinary ability to reach and connect with voters, as well as further the cause of libertarianism.^[32]

Year Awarded	Recipient (First, Last)	County
2025	Donald Rainwater	Hamilton
2024
2023	Jeff Mauer	Hamilton
2022	Kayla Coleman	Jennings
2021	Donald Rainwater	Hamilton
2020	Chris Guffey	Henry
2019	Danny Lundy	Morgan
2018
2017	Lucy Brenton	Hamilton
2016	Mike Gunyon	Marion
2015	Chris Mayo	Marion
2013	Rupert Boneham	Marion
2012	Phil Miller	Hancock
2011	Rebecca Sink-Burris	Monroe
2009	Eric Schansberg	Clark
2009	Rex Bell	Wayne
2005	Kenn Gividen	Bartholomew

Steve Dasbach Chairman's Award for Extraordinary Service: Awarded to an individual that has helped grow the Libertarian Party of Indiana in extraordinary ways over many years. This award is not voted on by LPIN membership, and it is the sole privilege of the Chair of the LPIN to award it to the recipient.^[32]

Year Awarded	Recipient (First, Last)	County
2025	Lauri Shillings	Hamilton
2024
2023	Greg Noland	Madison
2022	Kristi Avery	Allen
2021	Evan McMahon	Marion
2020	Joe Hauptmann	Boone
2019	Sam Goldstein	Hamilton
2018	Frank Rossa	Johnson
2017	Rex Bell	Marion
2017	Rodney Benker	Johnson
2017	Alyssa Salgado	Boone
2016	Steve Dillon	Monroe
2015	John Schick	Porter
2014	Beth Duensing	Lake
2014	Greg Kelver	LaPorte
2014	Michael Schultheiss	Marion
2013	Dale Wedel	Hendricks
2012	Mark Burris	N/A
2012	Rebecca Sink-Burris	Monroe
2011	Greg Hertzsch	N/A
2010	Todd Singer	Hendricks
2010	Dale Wedel	Hendricks
2010	Dan Drexler	LaPorte
2009	Andrew Horning	Owen
2007	Mark Rutherford	Marion
2007	Mike Runnebohm	Shelby
2006	Brad Klopfenstein	Marion
2006	Cindy Kirkpatrick	Marion
2006	Kenn Gividen	Bartholomew

Bill Bean County Affiliate of the Year Award: In recognition of an outstanding county affiliate for their electoral success, fundraising and membership contribution to the LPIN, and contribution to LPIN ballot access.^[32]

Year Awarded	County
2023	St Joseph
2024
2023	Lawrence
2022	Kosciusko
2021	Morgan
2020	Morgan
2019	Henry

References

^ "Elected Officials". Retrieved June 1, 2024.
^ "2008 General Election Results for Bob Barr & Wayne Allen Root". Libertarian Party. Archived from the original on November 14, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
^ ^a ^b Auslen, Michael (January 19, 2011). "Lugar longest serving Ind. congressman". Retrieved 27 January 2014. In 2006, he ran against Libertarian Steve Osborn and won by a landslide 87.4 to 12.6 percent victory. The Democratic opponent, Jack Baldwin, was a write-in candidate and received only 294 votes.
^ "Leadership". LPIN.ORG.
^ "Evan McMahon". lpedia.org.
^ "James Sceniak". lpedia.org.
^ "Stephanie Dasbach". lpedia.org.
^ "Ronnie Dickson". lpedia.org.
^ "Michael Schultheiss". lpedia.org.
^ "Andrew Smith". lpedia.org.
^ "Elizabeth Coquillard". lpedia.org.
^ "John Schick". lpedia.org.
^ "Tim Cotton". lpedia.org.
^ "Kristi Avery". lpedia.org.
^ "Danny Lundy". lpedia.org.
^ "Lauri Shillings". lpedia.org.
^ "Luke Lomax". lpedia.org.
^ "Micah Haynes". lpedia.org.
^ "Kelly Curran". lpedia.org.
^ "Dustin Nanna". lpedia.org.
^ "LNC Leadership". LP.ORG. Retrieved 4 Dec 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Elected Libertarians". Libertarian Party of Indiana. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "January 12, 2017 Town Council – Regular Agenda". brownsburgin.swagit.com. Brownsburg, IN. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
^ "February 3, 2014 RDA Meeting". brownsburgin.swagit.com. Brownsburg, IN. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
^ |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Donald_Rainwater
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Martin, Deanna (November 7, 2006). "Lugar cruises on way to winning 6th term". IU Student Media as Indiana Daliy Student. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
^ Osborn Archived 2014-01-06 at the Wayback Machine; Muncie Free Press online; accessed .
^ "State Information: Indiana". Roll Call. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
^ Jen Wagner and Jennifer Wagner (November 6, 2000). "Senate contenders continue the fight". IU Student Media as Indiana Daliy Student. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
^ Soyugenc, Ismail (February 6, 2002). "Republican race for Secretary of State gains speed". Retrieved 27 January 2014.
^ Lyle IV, George (January 28, 2002). "Libertarian candidate wants to change voting system". IU Student Media as Indiana Daliy Student. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h "Awards". Libertarian Party of Indiana. Retrieved May 16, 2020.