Hoosier Libertarians Play Key Roles at National Convention

Reprinted from an LPIN press release.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Hoosier delegates to the Libertarian National Convention in Denver returned to Indiana after an eventful Memorial Day Weekend event that saw former U.S. Congressman Bob Barr take the party's nomination for president. Las Vegas businessman Wayne Root, who won Barr's endorsement, was chosen as the party's vice presidential candidate. The duo gives the Libertarian Party its most recognizable presidential ticket in party history.

The nineteen Indiana delegates, led by LPIN Chairman Todd Singer, of Plainfield, played pivotal roles in the drawn out balloting process that finally ended after the sixth vote.

"I didn't think we could build on the drama and excitement of the 2004 Atlanta convention, but Denver surpassed everyone's expectations," commented Singer. "The sixth ballot was exciting enough, but to have our own delegates involved so closely with many of the campaigns made the event even more rewarding for our state party. I'm very proud of our delegation and the job we did representing Indiana's tradition as a state power within the national scene."

Former Indiana State Chairman Steve Dasbach gave the nomination speech for Barr. He was followed by another former LPIN Chairman Mark Rutherford who delivered one of the three seconding speeches for Barr's nomination.

"It was clearly an honor," noted Rutherford. "Going into the convention I felt this was one of the best fields of presidential aspirants our party has seen. Possibly since Ed Clark's run in 1980, I have not seen a candidate capture the attention of the American public as Barr has been able to do. I was proud to endorse him and even more proud to be asked to give the speech to second the nomination. It was clearly a highlight of my political career."

Dasbach and Rutherford were not alone in their campaign involvement. Serving as the assistant floor whip and volunteer coordinator for Root's presidential bid was Indianapolis activist Sam Goldstein. Goldstein, former Marion County Chairman and current candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction, assisted in nearly getting Root the nomination.

"Wayne is the champion for the small business owners," Goldstein boasts. "He came into the convention with a message consistent with our state efforts to champion the rights of small business owners and that message resonated. We would have liked to have won the nomination, but we will continue to build the party through battling the big-business policies of the two old parties that really hurt small business growth."

"It's really an exciting time," Goldstein continued. "Wayne is excited about running with Bob and we're all looking forward to our party growth over the next several years."

Barr eventually won the nomination with 54% of the delegate votes over second place Dr. Mary Ruwart. Ruwart, a research scientist from Texas and long-time libertarian activist, won the Indiana delegation's final ballot over Barr by just two votes. Root was eliminated on the fifth ballot.

Rebecca Sink-Burris, of Bloomington, was elected as the 3rd District Representative to the Libertarian National Committee, the party's governing body. Sink-Burris, former candidate for Secretary of State, served as District 3 Alternate the past two years.

Two-term libertarian Hagerstown judge Susan Bell was among the keynote speakers at the convention.

Libertarians select candidates at self-financed conventions not supported with taxpayer dollars. We believe in, and pursue, personal freedom while maintaining personal responsibility. We are advocates for a smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom. The Libertarian Party itself serves a much larger pro-liberty community with the specific mission of electing Libertarians to public office.