Libertarian Activist Carolyn Marbry has announced her intention to run for Vice-Chair of the Libertarian Party, a position currently held by Michael Jingozian.
“This is such an exciting time to be a Libertarian,” Ms. Marbry said. “The coming decades will bring tremendous opportunities to the party as Americans grow more and more disillusioned with bank bailouts, the flagrant destruction of the right to marry for an entire group of Americans, attacks on our second amendment rights and never-ending wars, among other things. To reach out to these people and help our activists make real changes in policy, the party needs a new generation of leadership, one that welcomes and supports all Libertarians.
“We still have a lot of the same problems we’ve always had as a third party. Lack of ballot access, media “black out,” absurd representation of our ideas, mission creep… It’s time for new solutions to our old problems. Those new solutions start with leaving behind the old paradigm and focusing on new technologies and new ideas to build membership, activism and fund raising.
“We need to build strong coalitions with like-minded groups outside the party, and we need to develop and support Libertarian think tanks.
“We need to maintain open, transparent records so members can see what their leadership is doing and where their money goes, and we need to make sure our money goes toward real politics, not bureaucracy.
“We need to take a hard, business-like look at where we can reduce our fixed expenses so we can mobilize more of our money for activism and party growth.
“We need to focus less on what separates us and more on our common goals. A rising tide raises all ships, and the LNC leadership needs to be that rising tide.
“Above all, we as the LNC leadership need to remember: We’re there to take obstacles out of the way of our activists and candidates, not to put up more obstacles. We need to support our activists, who are the lifeblood of our party, and to support the candidates who give us visibility and help grow our party.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the response of my fellow Libertarians to my campaign. It’s been wonderful to have early support from Lonnie Holcomb, Thomas Knapp, Less Antman, Angela Keaton, Mike and Lidia Seebeck, Jake Porter, Charles Wilhoit and David F. Nolan, among others. I am pleased that my early support comes from such an eclectic group of Libertarians.”
The following are quotes from some of Marbry’s supporters:
Angela Keaton: “Small business woman, civil libertarian, homeschooling mother and patriot; Carolyn Marbry brings a fresh face and real world experience to political arm of the liberty movement.”
Jake Porter: “In the summer of 2007, I started working directly with Carolyn Marbry to assist one of the contenders for the Libertarian Party’s Presidential nomination. Within the first few weeks of working with Carolyn, I discovered that not only did she have the management skills necessary to be successful in politics, but that she also possessed the leadership skills necessary to make sure we were getting the right things done. Carolyn Marbry is intelligent, hard working, motivated, and courageous enough to speak her mind even when faced with strong opposition. The Libertarian National Committee could really benefit by having Carolyn serve as a member.
“I urge all Libertarian Party delegates to join me in supporting Carolyn Marbry for LNC Vice-Chair.”
Less Antman: “The very type of respectful persuaders I want to see in leadership positions in the LP are people like Carolyn Marbry. ”
Carolyn previously served as media director for the Phillies 2008 Presidential nominating campaign, platform lead on the Libertarian Party of California’s Style Committee, the state party’s by-laws committee and as treasurer for her local county party.
