Libertarian Party of Nebraska
Libertarian Party of Nebraska | |
|---|---|
| Chairperson | Scott Zimmerman |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Ideology | Libertarianism |
| National affiliation | Libertarian Party |
| Colors | a shade of Blue; Yellow |
| Website | |
| www.lpne.org | |
The Libertarian Party of Nebraska (LPNE) is the Nebraska affiliate of the Libertarian Party. The party is headed by cheirperson Scott Zimmerman. Their motto is "Reduce Government, Maximize Freedom." The party also has a quarterly newsletter titled "The Pioneering Spirit."
Party Leadership
State Central Committee (SCC) members:
- Chair - Scott Zimmerman
- Vice Chair - Logan Rogers-Follis
- Treasurer - Gene Siadek
- Secretary - David Pratt Demarest
- Publicity Director - Elizabeth Botkin
- District 1 Coordinator - Michael Knebel
- District 2 Coordinator - Joe Hedlund
- District 3 Coordinator - Ben Backus
Ballot Access
The Libertarian Party of Nebraska submitted petitions to the Secretary of State on August 2, 2010, requesting certification as a political party. These petitions contained approximately 8,000 signatures. The Libertarian Party was certified by the Secretary of State's office on August 12, 2010. The LP of Nebraska's candidate for Auditor of Public Accounts in 2010, Michele Sallach-Grace, won 20% of the vote and ensured the party will remain on the ballot through 2012. The party is the only recognized political party in Nebraska other than the Democratic and Republican Parties.
January 17, 2012 Senator Sullivan introduced LB1035 on behalf of the Libertarian Party. This bill changed the election cycle requirement. Up to this point, a political party had to obtain 5% of the vote in a statewide race every election cycle or every two years to maintain ballot status. LB1035 changed this to every two election cycles or every four years. The bill was signed by the governor on April 10, 2012.
Several Libertarians ran for office in 2012:
- Klaus Linder – La Vista Mayor
- Micheal Knebel – Bellevue City Council
- Jerry Kosch – Butler County Board of Supervisors
- Gene Siadek – Papio Missouri NRD Board
- Darrick J. Barclay – State Legislature
- Ben Backus – Gering City Council
The Libertarian Party of Nebraska received more than the 5% needed in at least one statewide general election race in 2014 to keep the party on the ballot in Nebraska through 2018:
- Governor - Mark G. Elworth, Jr. - 3.5% - 19,001 votes
- Lt. Governor - Scott Zimmerman - 3.5% - 19,001 votes
- Secretary of State - Ben Backus - 24.8% - 121,470 votes
- State Treasurer- Michael Knebel - 5.3% - 28,009 votes
- Representative in Congress - Steven Laird - District 2 - 5.3% - 9,021 votes
- Valley City Council - Felicia Jorgensen - 18% - 165 votes
- Fremont City Council - Michael Shallberg - 3rd Ward - 22.09% - 146 votes
- Johnson County Treasurer - John Sterup - 14.9% - 250 votes
- MUD Board (Outside Member) - Jonathan Corey Neurath - 7.74% - 682 votes
Current Elected Officials
The Libertarian Party elected their first candidate, Keith Ottersberg, in 2014. He won 70.0% of the vote, receiving 154 votes. In 2016, State Senator Laura Ebke changed her party affiliation from Republican to Libertarian. Senator Ebke is currently the highest Libertarian elected official in the U.S.
- Laura Ebke - Nebraska Legislature, 32nd District
- Keith Ottersberg - Wymore City Council, Ward 2
- Ben Backus - Gering City Council, Ward 3
