26,316
edits
Oklahoma Libertarian Party: Difference between revisions
→References
m (Edit Twitter handle) |
|||
| (37 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Infobox State | {{Infobox State | ||
|name = Oklahoma Libertarian Party | |name = Oklahoma Libertarian Party | ||
|logo = | |logo = LPOKblk.jpg|thumb | ||
|logo-size = 200px | |logo-size = 200px | ||
|state = Oklahoma | |state = Oklahoma | ||
|chartered = April 1972 | |chartered = April 1972 | ||
|region = 7 | |region = 7 | ||
|chair = [[ | |chair = [[Chris Powell]] | ||
|vice-chair = [[ | |vice-chair = [[Dillon Feazel]] | ||
|secretary = [[ | |secretary = [[Ashley Sowder]] | ||
|treasurer = [[ | |treasurer = [[John Hooper]] | ||
|phone = | |phone = | ||
|address = | |address = | ||
| Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
|meetup = | |meetup = | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Oklahoma Libertarian Party''' ('''OKLP''') or '''Libertarian Party of Oklahoma''', which are both in the party bylaws<ref name="Oklahoma Bylaws">{{Citation|url=https://oklp.org/bylaws/ |title=Bylaws |publisher=[[Oklahoma Libertarian Party|'''Oklahoma''' Libertarian Party (OKLP)]] |accessdate=4 April 2019 |deadurl=no}}</ref>, is the Oklahoma affiliate of the [[Libertarian Party]]. | The '''Oklahoma Libertarian Party''' ('''OKLP''') or '''Libertarian Party of Oklahoma''', which are both in the party bylaws<ref name="Oklahoma Bylaws">{{Citation|url=https://oklp.org/bylaws/ |title=Bylaws |publisher=[[Oklahoma Libertarian Party|'''Oklahoma''' Libertarian Party (OKLP)]] |accessdate=4 April 2019 |deadurl=no}}</ref>, is the Oklahoma affiliate of the [[Libertarian Party]]. It was affiliated in 1972 ([[Media:OK-Application 1972.pdf|1972 Membership Application]]). | ||
==State Executive Committee== | |||
The State Executive Committee consists of four officers, four At-Large Representatives, and up to seven Regional Representatives, for a maximum of fifteen members. Officers and At-Large Representatives are elected every odd year at the state party convention; Regional Representatives are chosen by their respective regional committees or regional convention delegates. It meets at least quarterly but more recently has begun having monthly online meetings. | |||
==Historical Addresses== | |||
*PO Box 25517, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73101 (1973) | |||
===Current Members=== | |||
*[[Chris Powell]], ''Chair'' | |||
*[[Dillon Feazel]], ''Vice Chair'' | |||
*[[Ashley Sowder]], ''Secretary'' | |||
*[[John Hooper]], ''Treasurer'' | |||
*[[Jake Spann]], ''At-Large Representative/Political Director'' | |||
*[[Clint Rapp]], ''At-Large Representative/Field Development Director'' | |||
*[[Lynda Steele]], ''At-Large Representative/Legislative Director'' | |||
*[[Kaleb England]], ''At-Large Representative/Development Director'' | |||
*[[David Greer]], ''Southeast Region Representative'' | |||
*[[Dalton Matthews]], ''Southwest Region Representative'' | |||
==Governing Documents== | |||
===Platform=== | |||
*{{MediaNewTab|OK-PLATFORM_2021.pdf|Platform Adopted March 27, 2021}} | |||
For historical platforms see [[Index of Oklahoma State Party Platforms]] | |||
===Bylaws=== | |||
*{{MediaNewTab|OK 2023-03-24 Bylaws.pdf|Bylaws Adopted March 4, 2023}} | |||
For historical bylaws see [[Index of Oklahoma State Party Bylaws]] | |||
==Oklahoma Caucus== | ==Oklahoma Caucus== | ||
The opening session of the [[1973 Libertarian National Convention]] was a discussion of how to use issues to generate public support. Stephen Browne, fresh off of getting 21% of the vote running for city council in Norman, OK, experienced some frustration with the audience's lack of interest in the nuts and bolts of retail campaigning. During the proceedings Browne, [[Tom Laurent|Tom]] and Mary Laurent and others of the Oklahoma delegation announced that they were going to go caucus, a phrase which in reality meant they were going to go to a second location and smoke marijuana. This rapidly became known as the [[Oklahoma Caucus]] which then evolved into a regular, if informal, event at national conventions where various esteemed Libertarians of the Sooner State would lead discussion of LP history and issues with all who cared to attend. The Oklahoma Caucus was last held as recently as 2002, hosted that year by [[Robert Murphy]]. | The opening session of the [[1973 Libertarian National Convention]] was a discussion of how to use issues to generate public support. Stephen Browne, fresh off of getting 21% of the vote running for city council in Norman, OK, experienced some frustration with the audience's lack of interest in the nuts and bolts of retail campaigning. During the proceedings Browne, [[Tom Laurent|Tom]] and Mary Laurent and others of the Oklahoma delegation announced that they were going to go caucus, a phrase which in reality meant they were going to go to a second location and smoke marijuana. This rapidly became known as the [[Oklahoma Caucus]] which then evolved into a regular, if informal, event at national conventions where various esteemed Libertarians of the Sooner State would lead discussion of LP history and issues with all who cared to attend. The Oklahoma Caucus was last held as recently as 2002, hosted that year by [[Robert Murphy]]. | ||
==Newsletters== | |||
*[[Declare Your Independence]] | |||
==Primaries== | ==Primaries== | ||
| Line 28: | Line 64: | ||
==Lawsuits== | ==Lawsuits== | ||
===1976=== | |||
The campaign of Eugene McCarthy won a ruling from the Oklahoma Supreme Court to place it's Independent electors on the ballot. The American Party, Communist Party, and OKLP all sought to have their candidates and electors put on the ballot as well. The Court ruled against the American Party, distinguishing between an Independent candidate and a candidate of a political party that has not met the requirements for recognition in the state of Oklahoma. Justice John Doolin's opinion disregarded that the electors were registered Independent, agreeing with Assistant Attorney General Michael Cauthron that "You can't proclaim you're independent in Oklahoma while running as a party man in another state." After ruling against the American Party, the Court saw no need to hear similar cases brought by the Communist Party and the OKLP. Peter Clinton Moore was the attorney for the OKLP in that case. | |||
===''Arutunoff v. Oklahoma State Election Board''=== | ===''Arutunoff v. Oklahoma State Election Board''=== | ||
The OKLP challenged revocation of their official recognition, and ability to run candidates under the party label, by the state after the 1980 elections. State law required a party's presidential candidate to receive at least 10% of the vote to maintain ballot access. The 10th Circuit upheld the ruling against the OKLP. | The OKLP challenged revocation of their official recognition, and ability to run candidates under the party label, by the state after the 1980 elections. State law required a party's presidential candidate to receive at least 10% of the vote to maintain ballot access. The 10th Circuit upheld the ruling against the OKLP. | ||
| Line 48: | Line 88: | ||
The only alternative party to have ballot access for the 2012 United States presidential election in Oklahoma was the Americans Elect party which was not fielding a candidate. Leadership of the state party organization for Americans Elect, including chair [[Rex Lawhorn]], sought to have Libertarian presidential candidate [[Gary Johnson]] placed on the Oklahoma ballot as the Americans Elect candidate. The national party organization opposed the effort and the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled against Lawhorn. This resulted in Oklahoma voters being allowed only two choices for President for the third election in a row. | The only alternative party to have ballot access for the 2012 United States presidential election in Oklahoma was the Americans Elect party which was not fielding a candidate. Leadership of the state party organization for Americans Elect, including chair [[Rex Lawhorn]], sought to have Libertarian presidential candidate [[Gary Johnson]] placed on the Oklahoma ballot as the Americans Elect candidate. The national party organization opposed the effort and the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled against Lawhorn. This resulted in Oklahoma voters being allowed only two choices for President for the third election in a row. | ||
===''McCraw v. Oklahoma City''=== | ===''McCraw v. Oklahoma City''=== | ||
The OKLP joined several other individuals and organizations in challenging an ordinance enacted by the City of Oklahoma City to restrict panhandling. OKLP Vice- | The OKLP joined several other individuals and organizations in challenging an ordinance enacted by the City of Oklahoma City to restrict panhandling. OKLP Vice-Chair [[Tina Kelly]] was involved in the case as it pertained to restricting the ability to engage in political petitioning. The city amended the ordinance to focus on pedestrian safety. In December, 2018, Judge Joe Heaton upheld the ordinance but the plaintiffs promised to appeal. On August 31, 2020, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s entry of judgment for the City on all plaintiffs’ First Amendment claims. On May 29, 2021, the US Supreme Court declined to hear the City's appeal of the 10th Circuit's ruling. | ||
==Tattooing== | ==Tattooing== | ||
Oklahoma | In 2006, Oklahoma became the last state to legalize tattoos, ending a ban which had been in effect since 1963. The OKLP was a major proponent of bills in the house and senate to decriminalize tattooing, asserting the libertarian idea that by bringing tattooing into the free market, reputable businesses would be able to compete to provide a low-cost, safe, and secure product and service. However, an ultra-conservative legislature routinely struck the bills down, with opponents claiming that legalizing tattooing would spread diseases such as HIV. SB806, giving the Department of Health oversight of tattooing in the state, went into effect on November 1, 2006. | ||
==Tobacco Tax== | ==Tobacco Tax== | ||
| Line 69: | Line 108: | ||
==Officeholders== | ==Officeholders== | ||
David Greer accepted an appointment to the Dougherty City Council in 2018, becoming the first Libertarian in Oklahoma to hold elective office. On April 2nd, 2019, Chad Williams was elected to Choctaw City Council and Josh Clark was elected to Dale School Board, becoming the first Libertarians in Oklahoma to win an election to public office. Chris Powell won a special election on Nov. 12, 2019, for a seat on the Bethany City Council. | [[David Greer]] accepted an appointment to the Dougherty City Council in 2018, becoming the first Libertarian in Oklahoma to hold elective office. On April 2nd, 2019, [[Chad Williams]] was elected to Choctaw City Council and [[Josh Clark]] was elected to Dale School Board, becoming the first Libertarians in Oklahoma to win an election to public office. [[Chris Powell]] won a special election on Nov. 12, 2019, for a seat on the Bethany City Council and was re-elected to that seat in 2021 with 76.3% of the vote. 2021 also saw [[Troy Brooks]] win a seat on the Alva City Council. | ||
*[[David Greer]] Dougherty City Council 2018- | *[[David Greer]] Dougherty City Council 2018-present | ||
*[[Chad Williams]] Choctaw City Council 2019-2023 | *[[Chad Williams]] Choctaw City Council 2019-2023 | ||
*[[Josh Clark]] Dale School Board 2019- | *[[Josh Clark]] Dale School Board 2019-present | ||
*[[Chris Powell]] Bethany City Council 2019-2021 | *[[Chris Powell]] Bethany City Council 2019-present | ||
*[[Aaron Hughes]] Tuttle City Council 2019-present - Hughes changed his voter affiliation to Libertarian in 2020. | |||
*[[Troy Brooks]] Alva City Council 2021-present | |||
*[[Dillon Feazel]] Altus City Council 2021-2022 | |||
*[[Karen Hudson]] Ada City Council 2021-present | |||
*[[Anthony Garcia]] Francis Tuttle Technology Center Board, Zone 4 2021-2024 - Garcia changed his voter affiliation sometime before Feb. 2023. | |||
*[[Grant Miller]] Tulsa City Council 2022-2024 | |||
*[[Kyle King]] Thomas City Council 2023-present | |||
*[[Joseph Jones]] Bearden Board of Trustees 2023-present | |||
*[[Lynda Steele]] Warr Acres City Council 2023-present | |||
==Past Officials and Staff== | ==Past Officials and Staff== | ||
===Chairs=== | ===Chairs=== | ||
*[[D Frank Robinson]] (founding chair) | *[[D Frank Robinson]] (founding chair) | ||
*[[Tom Laurent]] (1973) | *[[Tom Laurent]] (1973-1974) | ||
*[[Porter Davis]] (1976) | *[[Porter Davis]] (1976) | ||
*[[Loren Baker|Loren L Baker]] (1978) | *[[Loren Baker|Loren L Baker]] (1978) | ||
| Line 87: | Line 135: | ||
*[[Fred Litzaw]] (1987) | *[[Fred Litzaw]] (1987) | ||
*[[Charles Burris|Charles A Burris]] (1986-1988) | *[[Charles Burris|Charles A Burris]] (1986-1988) | ||
*[[Matt Sweet]] (c 1994) | *[[Matt Sweet]] (c. 1994) | ||
*[[Mike Todd]] (c 1995) | *[[Mike Todd]] (c. 1994-1995) | ||
*[[Mike Clem]] (1998) | *[[Mike Clem]] (1998) | ||
*[[Robert Murphy]] | *[[Robert Murphy]] | ||
| Line 96: | Line 144: | ||
*[[Jimmy Cook]] (2007-2009) | *[[Jimmy Cook]] (2007-2009) | ||
*[[Clark Duffe]] | *[[Clark Duffe]] | ||
*[[Angelia O'Dell]] (c 2009) | *[[Angelia O'Dell]] (c. 2009) | ||
*[[Seth Schuyler]] (2012-2014) | *[[Seth Schuyler]] (2012-2014) | ||
*[[Steve Long]] (2014-2016) | *[[Steve Long]] (2014-2016) | ||
*[[Tina Kelly]] (2016—March 31, 2018) | *[[Tina Kelly]] (2016—March 31, 2018) | ||
*[[Erin Adams]] (March 31, 2018—March 30,2019) | *[[Erin Adams]] (March 31, 2018—March 30,2019) | ||
*[[Chad Williams]] (2019- | *[[Chad Williams]] (2019-2021) | ||
*[[Kevin Hobbie]] (2021-2021) | |||
*[[James Beau Thouvenel]] (2021-2022) | |||
*[[Will Daugherty]] (2022-2023) | |||
===Other=== | ===Other=== | ||
*[[ | *[[Michael Steelman]], ''Vice-Chair'' (1973) | ||
*[[ | *[[Sam H Hays III]], ''Treasurer'' (1973) | ||
*[[Bailey Betts]], Vice | *[[Judy Ownen]], ''Secretary'' (1973) | ||
*[[Lynn Atherton Bloxham]], ''District 1 (c 1997) | *[[Brent Miller]], ''Secretary'' (1973) | ||
*[[Whitney Boutin]], '' | *[[Loren Baker]], ''Vice Chair'' (1987) | ||
*[[Larry Brittain]] , '' | *[[Bailey Betts]], ''Vice Chair'' | ||
*[[Brenda Bromily]], Treasurer (1987) | *[[Lynn Atherton Bloxham]], ''District 1'' (c. 1997) | ||
*[[Jimmy Cook]], '' | *[[Whitney Boutin]], ''Vice Chair'' (c. 1997) | ||
*[[Rebecca Crem]], '' | *[[Larry Brittain]] , ''Treasurer'' (c. 2008) | ||
*[[James Farrell]], ''District 3 (c 1997) | *[[Brenda Bromily]], ''Treasurer'' (1987) | ||
*[[Randy Gann]], ''District 1 (c 1997) | *[[Jimmy Cook]], ''Vice Chair'' (c. 2009) | ||
*[[Steve Galpin]], '' | *[[Rebecca Crem]], ''State Rep'' (c. 1997) | ||
*[[Richard Hampel]], ''District 6 (c 1997) | *[[James Farrell]], ''District 3'' (c. 1997) | ||
*[[Mary Laurent]], Secretary (1987) | *[[Randy Gann]], ''District 1'' (c. 1997) | ||
*[[Tom Laurent]], | *[[Steve Galpin]], ''Treasurer'' (c. 1997) | ||
*[[Leo Mendus]], '' | *[[Richard Hampel]], ''District 6'' (c. 1997) | ||
*[[Charles Henry Osbourne]], '' | *[[Mary Laurent]], ''Secretary'' (1987) | ||
*[[Ron Phillips]], Treasurer | *[[Tom Laurent]], ''Secretary'' (1980) | ||
*[[Rufus Randall]], ''District 2 (c 1997) | *[[Leo Mendus]], ''State Rep'' (c. 1997) | ||
*[[D Frank Robinson]], ''District 6 (c 1997) | *[[Charles Henry Osbourne]], ''Secretary'' (c. 1997) | ||
*[[Tom Saunders]], ''District 3 (c 1997) | *[[Ron Phillips]], ''Treasurer'' | ||
*[[Susan Scammahorn]], ''District 5 (c 1997) | *[[Rufus Randall]], ''District 2'' (c. 1997) | ||
*[[David Splinter]], '' | *[[D Frank Robinson]], ''District 6'' (c. 1997) | ||
*[[Robert Stock]], '' | *[[Tom Saunders]], ''District 3'' (c. 1997) | ||
*[[Robert Sumner]], ''District 4 (c 1997) | *[[Susan Scammahorn]], ''District 5'' (c. 1997) | ||
*[[Chad Vanis]], '' | *[[David Splinter]], ''Vice Chair'' | ||
*[[Christina Wright]], Secretary (2016-2018), Vice-Chair ( | *[[Robert Stock]], ''Secretary'' | ||
*[[Robert Sumner]], ''District 4'' (c. 1997) | |||
*[[Chad Vanis]], ''State Rep'' (c. 1997) | |||
*[[Christina Wright]], ''Secretary'' (2016-2018), ''Vice Chair'' (2018-2019) | |||
*[[Traci Baker]], ''Secretary'' (2018-2019) | |||
*[[Kevin Hobbie]], ''Vice Chair'' (2019-2020) | |||
*[[Christy Howard]], ''Treasurer'' (2019) | |||
*[[David Greer]], ''Treasurer'' (2019-2021) | |||
*[[James Beau Thouvenel]], ''Vice Chair'' (2021) | |||
*[[Kevin Hobbie]], ''Chair'' (2021) | |||
*[[James Beau Thouvenel]], ''Chair'' (2021-2022) | |||
*[[Kalon Wiggins]], ''Vice Chair'' (2021-2022) | |||
*[[Jeff Fortune]], ''Vice Chair'' (2022-2023) | |||
*[[Cherise Norton]], ''Secretary'' (2019-2023) | |||
*[[Todd Hagopian]], ''Treasurer'' (2021-2023) | |||
==Elections== | ==Elections== | ||
''See: [[Libertarian Party of Oklahoma Historical Election Results]]'' | ''See: [[Libertarian Party of Oklahoma Historical Election Results]]'' | ||
The earliest known Libertarian to run for office in Oklahoma was Stephen W. Browne who received 1,144(21.47%) votes for Post 3 on the non-partisan Norman City Council in 1973. The most frequent LP candidate on the ballot is [[Robert Murphy]] who has run for Mayor of Norman once, Mayor of Tulsa twice, US Senate three times, and US Congress five times(thrice in CD5 and once each in CD4 and CD3). He also was a candidate in Virginia's CD8 in 1990. The top percentage in a partisan race under the Libertarian label was 36.43% for Chris Powell in 2016 running for Oklahoma County Clerk. The high mark for a Libertarian running under the Independent label when the party did not have ballot access was in 1982 when Virginia Henson received 37.21% for District Attorney in District 23. The best percentage for a non-partisan race is Chris Powell's 63.23% in a special election for Bethany City Council in 2019. John Yeutter holds the record for highest raw vote total with 270,313(24.82%) for State Auditor in 2018. The best percentage for a Libertarian in a partisan race against candidates of both establishment parties belongs to Elle Collins who picked up 7.27% in state House District 87 in 2018. | The earliest known Libertarian to run for office in Oklahoma was [[Stephen W. Browne]] who received 1,144(21.47%) votes for Post 3 on the non-partisan Norman City Council in 1973. The most frequent LP candidate on the ballot is [[Robert Murphy]] who has run for Mayor of Norman once, Mayor of Tulsa twice, US Senate three times, and US Congress five times(thrice in CD5 and once each in CD4 and CD3). He also was a candidate in Virginia's CD8 in 1990. The top percentage in a partisan race under the Libertarian label was 36.43% for Chris Powell in 2016 running for Oklahoma County Clerk. The high mark for a Libertarian running under the Independent label when the party did not have ballot access was in 1982 when Virginia Henson received 37.21% for District Attorney in District 23. The best percentage for a non-partisan race is Chris Powell's 63.23% in a special election for Bethany City Council in 2019. John Yeutter holds the record for highest raw vote total with 270,313(24.82%) for State Auditor in 2018. The best percentage for a Libertarian in a partisan race against candidates of both establishment parties belongs to Elle Collins who picked up 7.27% in state House District 87 in 2018. | ||
The Oklahoma LP has had at least one primary in five of the six election cycles that the party has been on the ballot, the exception being 1984 when the OKLP was put on the ballot by court order and allowed to nominate by convention. Primary winners in 1980 were Anne Fruits for Tulsa County Clerk and Jim Rushing for Congressional District 5. In 1996 Agnes Regier narrowly edged out Mike Clem for the US Senate nomination. The 2000 Corporation Commission primary was headed to a runoff when first-place finisher Whitney Boutin withdrew, allowing Roger Bloxham to be nominated. Party stalwart [[Robert Murphy]] was nominated for US Senate in the 2016 primary. And in 2018 [[Chris Powell]] and Rex Lawhorn advanced to the first Libertarian primary runoff in the nation, with Powell winning the gubernatorial nomination. | The Oklahoma LP has had at least one primary in five of the six election cycles that the party has been on the ballot, the exception being 1984 when the OKLP was put on the ballot by court order and allowed to nominate by convention. Primary winners in 1980 were Anne Fruits for Tulsa County Clerk and Jim Rushing for Congressional District 5. In 1996 Agnes Regier narrowly edged out Mike Clem for the US Senate nomination. The 2000 Corporation Commission primary was headed to a runoff when first-place finisher Whitney Boutin withdrew, allowing Roger Bloxham to be nominated. Party stalwart [[Robert Murphy]] was nominated for US Senate in the 2016 primary. And in 2018 [[Chris Powell]] and Rex Lawhorn advanced to the first Libertarian primary runoff in the nation, with Powell winning the gubernatorial nomination. | ||
| Line 680: | Line 745: | ||
*[https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca10/19-6008/19-6008-2020-08-31.html]MCCRAW et al. v. CITY OF OKLAHOMA CITY | *[https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca10/19-6008/19-6008-2020-08-31.html]MCCRAW et al. v. CITY OF OKLAHOMA CITY | ||
{{Oklahoma}} | |||
{{United States}} | {{United States}} | ||
{{Freshness | date= | {{Freshness | date=2021-08-21 | trust_this_date=Y}} | ||