Western New York Libertarian Party

The Western New York Libertarian Party was a proposed regional chapter of the Libertarian Party of New York.

1970s

See: Western New York Libertarian Club

A regional chapter in Western New York existed in the 1970s.

2010s

In 2014, Edward Garrett was appointed Temporary County Chair for Erie County. An original plan was to create a regional chapter of the LPNY consisting of Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus Counties. Meetings were held, but the chapter never gained traction. In April 2015, the state convention was held in Rochester. Garrett met Andrew Martin Kolstee, a Libertarian activist in Chautauqua County, who was interested in getting involved in a Western New York Chapter.

The only meeting of the Western New York Libertarian Party was held on May 9, 2015 at Ichiban Restaurant in Hamburg, Erie County. State committee members were present, including Chair Mark E. Glogowski and Vice Chair Jim Rosenbeck, along with other Libertarians from Erie County. Niagara County Libertarian Kimberly Ruff was also present. At the meeting, it was decided that the best course of action was for each county to form their own chapter, as that is the ultimate goal. Garrett continued with Erie County, and at the following State Committee meeting, Kolstee was appointed Temporary County Chair for Chautauqua County and Ruff was appointed Temporary County Chair for Niagara County.

Garrett, Kolstee, and Ruff worked together to help each other form chapters in their respective counties. In July, the Erie County Libertarian Party was organized, with Garrett elected Chair. In August, the Niagara County Libertarian Party was organized with Ruff elected Secretary. Both chapters were charted at the September 2015 LPNY State committee meeting. In October, the Chautauqua County Libertarian Party was established and chartered, with Kolstee elected Chair.