Libertarian Party expands leadership – The Hendricks County Flyer

The Libertarian Party of Indiana (LPIN) has announced the installment of new leaders in several counties across the state. This continues the pattern of growth for the LPIN, even in an off-cycle year for elections.

The first half of 2017 saw the expansion of Libertarian leadership in Carroll, Morgan, Montgomery and Jasper counties.

We're continuing to experience a surge in activity all around the state, LPIN State Chair Tim Maguire said. After the 2016 election, we never saw new interest in the Libertarian Party dwindle. Through that desire for liberty from our citizens, we have been able to identify the excitement found in these new leaders. They are just a small portion of the former Republicans and Democrats that have realized that the old parties don't represent us anymore.

Maguire added that the party has now installed new county chairs in Knox, Jackson and Hendricks counties. Those roles have been filled by Micah Haynes, Erin Meadors and Eric Knipe, respectively.

Im actually the temporary chair because were looking to re-affiliate Hendricks County with the Libertarian Party, Knipe said.

Knipe, a freelance real estate consultant, said the party has been affiliated with Hendricks County in the past, but that affiliation was lost. At an organizational meeting on Sept. 1, a vote will be held to pass bylaws re-affiliating the county with the Libertarian Party.

A vote will also be held on my permanent installation as county chair at that meeting as well, Knipe said.

Knipe said he is looking to get the Libertarian Party ramped up again in Hendricks County.

We really have a lot of activity, he said. Its exciting. Theres going to be some pushback and a lot of hard questions to answer, but I think we can do it.

Like Republicans, Libertarians too believe that government should be smaller and less invasive in the lives of Americans. Yet, unlike Republicans, Knipe said Libertarians have more follow through and want to make that belief a reality.

I live in Brownsburg and we have experienced some efforts of forced annexation, which is something Libertarians generally oppose, he said.

He said abuse of eminent domain has occurred on Green Street as a result of redevelopment efforts.

Its not neighborly to force citizens to sell their land, he said.

Knipe said he believes President Donald Trump has been great for the Libertarian Party.

People have been even more disenfranchised and just cant relate to him, he said. I think it just goes to show that its important to have principled leadership in place.

While good leadership at the top is crucial, Knipe believes that government is most effective at the local level.

[We need to] get quality candidates, he said.

The Libertarian Party of Indiana is always looking for people interested in helping spread liberty by taking leadership roles in their community, Maguire said. I encourage anyone looking for a way to participate to reach out to me. We are excited about the possibility of working together with you.

Knipe may be reached via email at eric@ericknipe.com or by phone at 317-456-2297. For more information on the Hendricks County Libertarian Party, find them on Facebook.

Stephanie Dolan writes for the Hendricks County Flyer and may be reached at stephanie.dolan@flyergroup.com. Follow Stephanie on Twitter @StephanieDolan.

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Libertarian Party expands leadership - The Hendricks County Flyer