Organizers expect largest-ever midterm delegation
For immediate release
June 20, 2018
ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Libertarian Party (LP) will hold its national convention from June 30 through July 3 in New Orleans at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The biennial event will draw approximately 900 delegates from across the country to select its leadership for the next two years and conduct party business.
Coming off its record-breaking 2016 election year, the party’s 2018 convention may prove to be the largest midterm convention in its 46-year history. Organizers expect an overall attendance of nearly 1,200.
“The Libertarian Party is on track to give Americans more candidates in 2018 elections than we have in at least 15 years,” said LNC Chair Nicholas Sarwark. “Since the elections of 2016, when the LP broke records, we have been building on voters’ clear disillusionment with the dominant parties. Our 2018 candidates, plus the elected officials who are switching parties to join us, share a drive to shrink big government and maximize individual freedom.
“I’m proud to report that as a result, more delegates are traveling to New Orleans this year to help shape our party’s message and leadership than ever before.”
The 2018 convention’s theme, “I’m THAT Libertarian,” is a tribute to the late Marc Feldman, who delighted 2016 convention delegates by delivering his presidential-debate closing remarks in rap form, promoting the broad reach of Libertarians across cultural, social, and political boundaries.
The convention will offer seminars, activist workshops, forums, candidate debates, discussion groups, and an exhibit hall. LP-appointed delegates will consider proposed amendments to the party’s platform and bylaws, and elect its national leadership for the new term.
Key events include: *
- Convention will open with a reception on Saturday, June 30 at 6:30 P.M.
- Business session will be called to order on Sunday morning, July 1, the agenda to include the party’s Bylaws and Platform Committees’ reports.
- Debate between incumbent chair and challengers will be held on Sunday evening at 7 P.M., followed by debate between incumbent vice chair and challengers.
- Delegates will elect their officers for the next term on Monday, July 2, followed by election of other LNC members.
- Monday evening will feature a cocktail hour at 6 P.M. and gala at 7 P.M.
- The business session will conclude on Tuesday, July 3.
A detailed schedule is available here. *
Speaker line-up includes: *
- Gov. Bill Weld (Mass.), the 2016 Libertarian vice-presidential candidate
- Amaryllis Fox, host of History Channel’s “American Ripper,” a writer, activist, and former CIA clandestine service operative
- Jeff Hewitt, elected Libertarian mayor of Calimesa, Calif., and candidate for Riverside County supervisor
- Naomi Brockwell, film and television host and producer of shows including “Stossel”
- Walter Block, the Harold E. Wirth endowed chair and professor of economics, College of Business, Loyola University New Orleans, and senior fellow at the Mises Institute.
- Sen. Laura Ebke, Libertarian state legislator (Nebraska)
- Tim Moen, the chair of the Libertarian Party of Canada, a paramedic, business owner, and filmmaker
Additional information about the convention is located at LibertarianConvention.org. To reserve guest rooms at the Hyatt Regency, click here.
Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party is today the third-largest political party in the United States. More than 18.5 million votes were cast for Libertarian candidates in the 2016 election.
Members of the press who plan to attend this event are requested to visit the convention web site to obtain additional information and to request press credentials.
* Subject to change.
