Duane Whitmer
Duane J. Whitmer is a Libertarian Party activist and the owner of an accounting business. He has been the 1st Vice-Chair of the Libertarian Party of New York since 2023 and the Chair of the Erie County Libertarian Party since 2019. From 2018 to 2020, he ran for U.S. Congress in New York's District 27 for the 2020 election. He previously served as 2nd Vice-Chair of the LPNY from 2020 to 2022.
| Duane Whitmer | |
 | |
| 1st Vice-Chair Libertarian Party of New York | |
| September 18, 2022—present | |
| Predecessor: | Tony D'Orazio |
| Successor: | Incumbent |
| 2nd Vice-Chair Libertarian Party of New York | |
| September 27, 2020—September 18, 2022 | |
| Predecessor: | Steve Minogue |
| Successor: | Rich Purtell |
| Chair Erie County Libertarian Party | |
| August 14, 2019—present | |
| Predecessor: | Edward Garrett |
| Successor: | Incumbent |
| Personal Details | |
| Education: | SUNY Fredonia |
| Occupation: | Accountant |
| Party: | Libertarian Party |
| Media | |
| Website: | https://duanewhitmer.com |
| view image gallery | |
Biography
Whitmer was born and raised in Franklinville, New York. He attended SUNY Fredonia and graduated with an a degree in accounting in 2009. He began his own business, DJW Financial Services, now Whitmer Accounting and Tax. He was first involved in the Libertarian Party when Larry Sharpe was running for Governor in 2018. He became Western New York Field Director for the campaign after Andrew Kolstee stepped down from the position. He became Treasurer of the Erie County Libertarian Party on August 25, 2018.
Politics
Larry Sharpe for Governor, 2018
Whitmer served as Deputy Field Director for Western New York for the Larry Sharpe gubernatorial campaign, following the resignation of Andrew Martin Kolstee.
Campaign for U.S. Congress, 2020
On November 13, 2018, he announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress in New York's 27th congressional district.[1] In February 2020, he was endorsed for the special election that was scheduled to take place on April 28, 2020. However, this was moved to June 23, 2020. Scott Flynn collected petitions to challenge Whitmer to be on the Libertarian Party line for the November 2020 ballot, but dropped out and was replaced by Nick Phelps. On June 23, 2020, Whitmer defeated Phelps 123—38, with 13 blank and write-in votes, not including absentee ballots.
Campaign for Erie County Comptroller (2021)
Whitmer ran for Erie County Comptroller in 2021.
Campaign for Erie County Executive (2023)
Whitmer ran for Erie County Executive. He participated in two debates.
Organizational Positions
- Communications Director (2022–January 22, 2024)
- 1st Vice-Chair (September 18, 2022—present)
- 2nd Vice-Chair (September 27, 2020—September 18, 2022)
- Treasurer (FLP) (May 4, 2019—present)
- Member, Interim State Committee (2019—2020)
- Treasurer (August 25, 2018—August 14, 2019)
- Chair (August 14, 2019—present)