National Convention 1983

The 1983 Libertarian National Convention was held in New York City at Sheraton Centre in Times Square and is arguably the most significant event in the Libertarian Party's history since its founding.

Presidential Race

From January until four days prior to the convention when he withdrew without warning, the only visible candidate for the presidential nomination was Gene Burns who had attended "virtually every state convention" to solidify his bid.

The Radical Caucus and other factions opposed to the Crane faction selected David Bergland, although this would get less clear as the convention progressed.

The Biddeford Statement, made by a unity-seeking coalition supporting Earl Ravenel was a pledge to support whomever the presidential nominee turned out to be. Most of its high level signatories left the party after Bergland was nominated.

A two-room suite (Room 4501) came to be known by some as Bergland Central. It included a rented photocopier, not a small expense in 1983. This may have been a decisive advantage in a hotel that lacked any obvious public gathering locations such as a bar or restaurant.

• David Bergland (won nomination)
• Gene Burns (withdrew four days before the convention)
• Tonie Nathan
• James ("Piggi") Norwood
• Earl Ravenal
• Mary Ruwart
• Dick Siano
• Larry Smiley (withdrew and endorsed Ravenal)

Voting

In the first round the top three vote-getters were Ravenal (190), Bergland (185), and Rewart (77).

In the second round the top three were Bergland (218), Ravenal (198), and Ruwart (99). At this point Ruwart dropped out and endorsed Bergland.

Nathan and Siano withdrew by this point and endorsed Bergland, but the available documentation is unclear which round each withdrew (or got dropped) after.

With the third ballot, Bergland had 260, Ravenal had 243, and NOTA had 34.

The fourth ballot initially had Bergland 270, Ravenal 230, and NOTA 24, but some floor actions ended up with one delegate changing their vote away from Bergland. At this point RAvenal withdrew from the race, as the outcome was already clear.

Vice Presidential Race

• Joe Fuhrig
• Jim Lewis (won nomination)
• Roger MacBride (withdrew after Bergland won)
• David Nolan
• Mary Ruwart

Voting

Thu first ballot had Ruwart with 140, Lewis with 117, Nolan with 84, and Fuhrig with 61. Other candidates, some possibly not nominated, had 44 votes.

Dave Nolan withdrew and gave his support to Jim Lewis.

The second ballot had Lewis at 206, Ruwart at 145, and Fuhrig at 91.

Fuhrig then withdrew from the race, and the third round securely gave the nomination to Jim Lewis.

LNC

• Paul Grant, Chair
• Mary Gingell, Vice Chair
• Dave Walter, Treasurer
• Heide Hartmann-Davis, Secretary
• Alicia Clark, Past Chair

• Ruth Bennett, At Large
• Ed Clark, At Large
• Steve Fielder, At Large
• Dale Hemming, At Large
• Matt Monroe, At Large
• Murray Rothbard, At Large
• Geoffrey Steinberg, At Large

• James Agnew, Region 12
• Skip Barron, Region 3
• David Brazier, Region 3
• Tom Bogel, Region 11
• Hugh Butler, Region 6
• Stephen DeLisio, Region 1
• Bill Evers, Region 2
• John Francis, Region 16
• Emil Franzi, Region 5
• Mark Hinkle, Region 2
• Blake Huber, Region 7
• James Hudler, Region 10
• Gary Johnson, Region 13
• Barbara Karkutt, Region 14
• Paul Kunberger, Region 15
• Lori Massie, Region 19
• Gerald Nyren, Region 19
• Dale Pratt, Region 2
• David Saum, Region 18
• Della Scott, Region 4
• Norma Skoog, Region 11
• Linda Taylor, Region 8
• Gerry Walsh, Region 9
• Leland Webber, Region 17

This list is known to be incomplete and may include changes to the LNC made after the convention.

Previous: Denver 1981

Libertarian National Convention of 1983

Next: Phoenix 1985

External Links

• Libertarian Forum September 1983, specifically Murray Rothbard's summary of the convention.

References

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