LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF OREGON

The 'Libertarian Party of Oregon' is a political party organized as a Minor Party pursuant to state election law^[1], and recognized by the State of Oregon as a state-wide nominating party^[2]. It was organized in 1971 as one of the first state affiliates of the newly established national Libertarian Party, which nominated Oregon party member Theodora Nathan as its vice presidential candidate at its 1972 convention. Affiliated local committees have been organized in 13 of Oregon's counties. Organization At 0.8% of Oregon's affiliated registered voters as of 2004, the party still ranks third behind the state's two major parties, Republican and Democratic. Libertarians find clout in role Janie Har

Contents

History

Organization

Officers

State Chair History

Controversy

References

External links

History

;1972:Theodora Nathalia Nathan, the party's nominee for Vice President of the United States, earns the first electoral vote ever cast for a woman.
;1998:Richard Burke ran for Governor in a seven way race and finished third with 2% of the vote.
;2000:Mitch Shults ran for State Treasurer, received the endorsement of the Salem Statesman Journal and got 4% of the vote in a five way race.
;2002:20 Libertarian candidates ran for office, 14 of those for the Oregon Legislative Assembly. The Libertarian candidate for Governor of Oregon that year, Tom Cox, garnered 5% of the vote.
;2004:The number of Oregon Libertarian candidates rose to 32, nearly half of them recent converts to the party, according to Richard Burke, state executive director. Libertarians find clout in role Janie Har
;2006:Libertarian Richard Morley ran for Governor, in the party's only run for statewide office. The party fielded candidate Drake Davis in Oregon's 1st congressional district, and had candidates in 13 state legislative campaigns. None of the party's candidates was elected.

Organization

The party is governed by a State Committee consisting of statewide party officers and delegates from each organized Affiliated County Party (ACP). A convention is held annually at which the statewide officers, who serve one year terms, are elected. The convention serve may as a nominating convention during election years. Organization

Officers

★ Don Smith, Chair

★ Alfredo Torrejon, Vice-Chairman

★ Jeff Weston, Secretary

★ Shane Savoie, Treasurer

State Chair History

★ Present - Don Smith

★ 2007 - Alfredo Torrejon

★ 2004-2007 - Adam Mayer

★ 2003-2004 - Tom Cox

★ 2001-2003 - Mitch Shults

★ 1999-2001 - Adam Mayer

★ 1998-1999 - Bruce Knight

★ 1996-1998 - Kristopher Barret

★ 1996 - Tom Cox

★ 1996 - Daniel Wilson

★ 1995-1996 - Michael Wilson

Controversy

Wes Wagner, Libertarian Party of Clackamas County vice-chair, sued the party and its officers in December, 2006, bringing a struggle for power within the party into public view. Wagner's suit alleged that the party did not obey its own bylaws with regards to its fiduciary obligations. The case was dismissed in Washington County Court.
Using the courts to resolve such a dispute is unusual for a party that generally opposes taxation and government services.^[3]

References

1. "2005-2006 Election Laws: Constitutional and Statutory Provisions," Oregon Elections Division official website
2. "Political Parties in Oregon," Oregon Elections Division official website
3. Libertarians ask court to solve party infighting Janie Har

External links

★ Official website