IN: 20% of Hoosiers no Longer "Lean" Toward the Republican or Democratic Parties

From the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Business Blog, via The Hankster:

More and more Hoosiers consider themselves true “independents,” casting aside any political identification with either Republicans or Democrats.  Twenty percent (20%) of Indiana voters today identify themselves as “independent,” even after factoring out those who self-identify as leaning to one party or the other. This is a 150% increase in true independent voters in just the last six years.

IN: Libertarian City-Councile Ed Coleman

From Libertarian Indianapolis City-County Councilor Ed Coleman via the LP blog:

Ed Coleman was first elected to the Indianapolis City County Council in 2007 and is determined to continue working for the citizens of Indianapolis.

Councilor Coleman is a health care professional and works for a subsidiary of Wellpoint in Indianapolis.  He and his wife Kerri are proud parents of two children and reside on the Southside of Indianapolis.  Ed was honorably discharged following 3 years of service in the United States Navy.  Ed spent his 3 years with HS-4 helicopter squadron attached to the USS Carl Vinson doing a 6 month deployment to the Persian Gulf.  Then briefly with the USS Abraham Lincoln.  He then spent 9 years in the Indiana Army National Guard were he was activated in support of training troops for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  He also was honored for state emergency service on 3 seperate occasions.  He is an Indianapolis native, graduating from Warren Central and Ivy Tech . . .

IN: Libertarian Strategy and Social Liberalism

From the Courier Press:

Though the Indiana Libertarian Party has not landed a candidate for the 2012 governor's campaign, it has identified an opening to influence the race. On social issues, the major parties' leading candidates Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Pence and Democratic former Indiana House Speaker John Gregg take conservative stances. So the Libertarian candidate could be the only one who offers a significantly different position on issues such as abortion and gay marriage.

IN: Independent Files to Run for Mayor of Fort Wayne

From WANE:

Haley Ahrendt became the first independent candidate to file for the upcoming Fort Wayne mayor's race. “I am a true independent; I’ve voted both republican and democrat. I have always voted that way,” said Ahrendt. “I have common sense, and that’s the way I would run my administration. It’s gonna be taking it back for the people, because that’s really why government was established.”

IN: Libertarian City Councilor Fights Republican Corporate Welfare Statists

From Timothy Maguire at the Libertarian Party of Indiana:

In this coming year, I will face a serious challenge: Maintaining my seat as a City-Councilor in Indianapolis. I currently have served as an at-large city-county councilor since 2007, and it has been a privilege to serve over a million citizens. In 2009, I made the decision to leave the Republican Party for the Libertarian Party.

The Marion County Republican party has spent the last four years giving welfare to major corporations, denying the second amendment rights all Indianapolis citizens are due, and punishing those within their party that dare to speak up for principle. It was easier to fight for libertarian principles as single voice on the council than it was to continually be silenced for the principles on which I stand.

I’ve been a consistent voice against the Republican majority’s policies of bailouts for the CIB, a $30 million dollar bailout for the Pacers, the creation of new government controlled monopolies benefiting special interests, and keeping taxes low. I need your help to get this message out. . . .

IN-5: Indianapolis Star Endorses Libertarian for House

From the Indy Star:

Libertarian Chard Reid . . . represents the best of Libertarian small-government ideals. He would be a refreshing departure from the incumbent's complacency and cavalier attitude toward ethics.

Constitution Party of Indiana Launches New Site

From the Constitution Party of Indiana:

Welcome to the Constitution Party of Indiana! One of the first questions you may be asking is why do we need The Constitution Party if we already have two parties? An overwhelming majority of our elected officials have routinely ignored constitutional limits placed on their power. As a result, there are now very few areas where government is not involved in our lives. Both major parties, in spite of their rhetoric, have routinely ignored the limits put in place by our Founding Fathers in the U.S. Constitution. Please visit our FAQ page to learn more.

IN: Libertarians Running "Record" Number of Candidates, Seeking More to Challenge Entrenched Incumbents

From the LPIN:

The Libertarian Party of Indiana has just updated their 2010 Candidates site. http://lpin.org/candidates/
The party has a record 68 candidates! The Libertarian Party of Indiana has never had this many candidates at this point during election season.

Look at the list. If you see that there is no Libertarian running in your area, we need YOU to run or put your name on the ballot. If you are concerned about your Country and State, now isn’t the time for shrinking violets!

We can’t encourage people to vote libertarian if we don’t have someone on the ballot.It’s not possible if our most committed activists don’t put their name on the ballot!

We have until June 20th to appoint Libertarians to a ballot vacancy. We are especially looking for committed libertarians to run for State Legislative offices. There are currently 38 legislators running unopposed in 2010.

IN: Libertarian to Challenge Republican in CD-3

From the Times Union:

Libertarian Scott Wise will seek the 3rd District Congressional seat in the Nov. 2 primary. Mark Souder (R-Fort Wayne) currently holds the seat and is seeking a ninth term. Tom Hayhurst (D) also is seeking the seat. Wise was selected at the Libertarian Party of Indiana state convention April 24 to run against Souder and Hayhurst.

IN: Libertarians Slam Democratic-Republican Primary Process, Why Should Tax Payers Foot the Bill for "Private, Partisan Party Business"?

From the Hamilton County Libertarian Party:

Some Libertarians may be tempted to vote on the Republican or Democratic ballot, for a variety of reasons. Be advised of this: If you pull a partisan ballot, you are making a legal statement. Pulling a partisan ballot legally commits you to vote for a majority of that same party's candidates in the General Election in November.

So, if you take a Republican Primary Ballot in May, and you vote straight ticket Libertarian in November, you will be guilty of perjury, by law.

Also, if someone at the polling place recognizes you as a Libertarian, and you are asking for a partisan 'R' or 'D' ballot, and they challenge your affiliation, you may be barred from taking that partisan ballot, or reduced to casting a provisional vote. Only a member of that party can challenge you, but they can in the interest of protecting their party's private business.

See: Indiana Code 3-10-1-9.

Why is the challenge possible? Why can't people just vote however they like? Some think it is merely rhetorical when Libertarians declare the Primaries to be largely private, partisan political party business. This law is the proof that it is not mere rhetoric. Republicans and Democrats see fit to foist the cost of their business onto all of the taxpayers. They wrote it into the law as a bi-partisan effort.

There is no Libertarian ballot. We conducted our business at our county convention, at our expense. The law also dictates that, but as a matter of principle, that's the way we think it should be done.

American Socialist Party: SP-USA Destroyed the Socialist Party of America

From the Socialist Agenda:

The Indianapolis-based Socialist Central Committee is asserting its claim as rightful heir to America’s historic socialist legacy. An odd thing has been occurring. Americans have historically been attracted to Socialism during years of financial distress; but for the past two years, Socialist Party-USA’s membership has been in rapid decline. This situation demonstrates just how off-message SP-USA’s activities have become. SP-USA, a New York City based special advocacy group, would have seen natural growth caused by the current financial crisis if the organization was an authentic socialist party.

A group of socialists connected with the original Socialist Party of America incorporated the Socialist Central Committee to fill the void being caused by SP-USA’s mismanagement. Today the Socialist Central Committee is absorbing concerned citizens across America that SP-USA’s special interest advocacy has alienated. The Central Committee, as the true heir to the Debsian legacy, is returning Socialism to mainstream America by focusing on a centric, economy-based message.

Socialists across America are familiar with the Eugene Debs story. A synopsis of that story has been republished on numerous socialist websites. The synopsis always ends with the same myth – SP-USA has carried on the Debsian tradition. But, that myth is false. SP-USA has been a destructive force to American socialism during its 37 years of existence.

IN: Libertarians Push for Full Slate of Candidates in 2010

From the Post-Tribune:

Local officials of the Libertarian Party were pleased with a room-filling turnout for a two-hour town hall meeting Saturday afternoon at the Valparaiso branch of the Porter County Public Library. . . .  "We're fiscal conservatives, but more liberal on social issues ... we've been getting members from (the) Republicans and Democrats," [County Chair] Duensing said.  Duensing said that on particular issues, the party has opposed the Patriot Act and business bailouts and seeks elimination of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Food and Drug Administration.
Duensing called for an end to arrests and imprisonment for "victimless crimes" and no government involvement in sexual activities between consenting adults. Drexler said the party is organized in only 30 of Indiana's 92 counties but wants to field candidates in every state House and Senate district, as well as a full slate for both houses of Congress.

IN: Libertarian Party Reaches Out to Disaffected Voters

From the Post-Tribune:

A third political party known for its strong stance against big government, lower taxes and more individual freedom is hoping voters will respond to its message this year.  Lake County Libertarian Party chairman Jeff Duensing, an electrician who lives in Lake Dalecarlia, said he got into fighting the country's two-party system because of his son.  "I can't let him grow up in what this country's become -- a socialist country and a police state," he said, giving as examples the bailout of big banks and AIG, and the Patriot Act. He hopes a Libertarian Party town hall meeting at the Valparaiso branch of the Porter County Public Library will draw people who want to learn about the group that has opposed traditional national and state politics since long before Tea Parties. He said the party wants to get rid of laws that infringe on things that it feels people should have the right to decide for themselves.