Republican Liberty Caucus

On Saturday, December 6, 2008, the Republican Party of Los Angeles County (RPLAC) met at the Ronald Reagan State Office Building in Los Angeles to choose its leadership for the next two years. After a brief but intensive parliamentary battle with the entrenched leadership, control was wrested away by a newly formed coalition of those who were anxious to re-dedicate and re-energize the Party along traditional Republican principles and strategies.

The slate of seven candidates selected by a limited government coalition was elected in its entirety to the Executive Board. One of those elected was a carry-over from the previous Board. All the others were new. The new Executive Board has resolved to move quickly to re-build the Republican Party based on the principles mentioned previously; and, through candidate research and development, to find good men and women to run for many offices who will carry the message of freedom, prosperity, and peace.

Members of the new RPLAC Executive Board are:

Glen Forsch, Chairman
Lydia Gutierrez, First Vice Chairman
Robert W. Vaughn, Second Vice Chairman
Gary Aminoff*, Treasurer
Roger Eshleman, Secretary
Gwen Patrick, Assistant Treasurer
Connie Ruffley, Assistant Secretary

*RLC member

The Michigan chapter of the RLC is urging its supporters to support State Representative Jack Hoogendyk for the position of Chair of the heavily divided Michigan GOP.

According to GOP Precinct Delegate Scotty Boman of Detroit, “Libertarians and conservatives share many fundamental principles, most especially with respect to reducing the size, scope and cost of government.  Jack has articulated these principles of conservatism with superb eloquence.  While serving in the State House, Rep. Hoogendyke has been one of the legislature’s strongest advocates for limited and transparent government.  I believe he has what it takes to move Michigan’s Republican Party in the direction of limited government and conservative principles.”

To learn more about Jack Hoogendyk’s campaign, visit http://www.jackformichigan.org/.

In November, the Republican Liberty Caucus helped elect five new State Representatives to the Montana House. The new legislators will join sitting libertarian Republicans in the legislature and are forming a strong coalition for limited government in the Montana House. According to newly elected State Rep. Mike Miller (R-Helmville) says the libertarian-conservative coalition in the Montana House have big plans for the coming year. According to Miller,

“My current goal is to get more money into the hands of the people and less in the state coffers. I have two bills in to do that: (1) a tax credit of up to $100 for anyone that purchases Long Term Care insurance and (2) to make necessary health care expenses a tax credit at the lower income levels (limit $1k), phasing into a tax deduction at the higher income levels. Anything I can do to reduce the size of government and the amount of government intrusion into our personal lives is high on my list of priorities.

The House is split 50/50 so the Speaker is of the same party as the governor - Democrat. Also of note is that four-term State Rep. and RLC ally Scott Mendenhall of Helena has been elevated to the Number Two post in the House GOP Caucus.

State Rep. Mike Miller was endorsed by the RLC
and pledges to work for limited government.

(Hat tip to the blog libertarian Republican for information.)

On Friday, December 19, the Republican Liberty Caucus of Maryland had its first formal meeting. According to Matthew Gagnon, chapter Co-Coordinator, “We had a GREAT meeting. About 35 or so people showed up, and I actually have money from several of them to sign up for the RLC.”

Gagnon said the Maryland RLC is making progress: many former Congressional candidates were in attendance (including RLC endorsed candidates Collins Bailey, Rich Matthews, and Mike Hargadon) and two elected State Delegates attended, including the featured speaker, Del. Joe Boteler. “We did nominations for officers, discussed what was required of chartering, what the purpose of the state level RLC is going to be, and so on,” said Gagnon.

The Maryland RLC has set a new meeting date for January in Annapolis, during which time chartering, by-laws, officers, and more will be discussed.

Photos from the event are provided below. Thanks to Matt Gagnon for his tremendous efforts.  Without Matt’s leadership, this meeting would not have occurred.

Maryland RLC’ers discussing issues.

Maryland RLC’ers taking notes.

Former Congressional candidates Mike Hargadon and Collins Bailey.

Matt Gagnon, RLC Co-Coordinator, and former Congressional candidate Richard Matthews.

Group photo.

The California and Nebraska affiliates of the RLC have rolled out their new web sites. Log on and view the new sites:

California RLC

Nebraska RLC

California’s Sonoma County Republican Party, led by RLC activists Michael Erickson and Matthew Heath, voted to censure Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in response to his decision to terminate his own ‘No New Taxes’ Pledge. In 2003, Schwarzenegger ran on a platform of cutting taxes. Among his reversed positions:

• Schwarzenegger issued a statement on November 6 that he intended to increase the state sales tax by 1.5 percent — a whopping 20 percent increase in the state-mandated portion of the tax — and expand its applicability to previously immune transactions (ranging from automobile and appliance repairs to veterinarian services); and

• Of particular note for those living in California’s wine country, Schwarzenegger proposed an extravagant new excise tax on beer, wine, and spirits, adding an additional 25 cents a bottle to the existing 20 cents a gallon excise for wine.

In response, the Sonoma County GOP issued a press release expressing the members’ wishes for a censure of Governor Schwarzenegger. On the cutting edge of politics in California, the Sonoma County GOP inspired their allies in the Placer County GOP to follow suit with both a resolution and press release in opposition to the any sales tax increase.

In these releases, the county Republican Parties called attention to the fact that the California Republican Party had remained sadly and impotently silent.  As a result of the actions by RLC members, the California Republican Party went on the record as being opposed to the sales tax increase proposal. It should be noted at this time that, excepting a few, the Republican Caucuses in the State Senate and Assembly also remained firmly against the proposal, and it was defeated in the end.

“The primary reason we issued the release was … to prod the California Republican Party into action,” according to Sonoma GOP Chair Michael Erickson. In that purpose, we succeeded; and the example is set that when activists organize and clamor loudly enough, the leadership has the capacity to do what is right.

Concluded Erickson, “The best service that the RLC, or any other organization committed to freedom, may provide in these most trying days of billion dollar bailouts and neoconservative adventurism abroad is to recruit, to organize, and then to win. Period. Anything other than those tasks is an avoidance of vigilance and not worthy of free persons.”

Michael Erickson is an attorney, a former officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, and a former Reserve Chaplain in the California Army National Guard.  He is a former Executive Committee member of the California Republican Party.

Some updates from RLC state affiliates:

CALIFORNIA

An affiliate of the state RLC, the Constitutional Republicans of Alameda County, scored a victory in late November when Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch discarded a lawsuit against them. The lawsuit attempted to void the memberships of seven RLC activists who were elected to the County Central Committee. In filing the suit, County GOP Chair Paul Cummings was attempting to replace the elected pro-liberty candidates with individuals of his choosing.

Commenting on the suit, Walter Stanley of the Constitutional Republicans said, “One can only wonder what the [November election] results would have been if the resources diverted by this lawsuit had instead been directed at supporting our candidates this November. We are sure the Democrats are … grateful [to Paul Cummings].”

For additional details on the suit, visit this press release (pdf).

MARYLAND

The Maryland RLC is holding an organizational meeting on Friday, December 19 at 6:30 pm at the GOP Maryland HQ in historic Annapolis.  State Delegate Joe Boteler, III of northeastern Baltimore County will be the guest speaker. For details, contact Matthew Gagnon or RSVP at the Facebook event invitation.

MISSOURI

The first meeting of the newly chartered Missouri RLC will occur on December 6 at 12noon in the upstairs meeting room (WiFi hotspot!) at the Midtown Carnegie Library, 397 East Central Street, in Springfield, Missouri. For additional details, contact Rob Hillman.

NORTH CAROLINA

The North Carolina RLC is planning to hold an organizational meeting in January. Contact Leonard Burton for details.

NEW YORK

On Tuesday, November 18, several members of New York’s Republican Liberty Caucus met with about 15 Town of New Paltz and Westchester County Libertarians  at the College Diner in New Paltz, New York.

Carl Svensson, New York RLC Chair, organized the meeting. The attendants ranged from college students at SUNY New Paltz who have organized a campus Libertarian Club to a retired math professor and a recent candidate for mayor of Peekskill, New York (who lost by only two percent).

The meeting focused on strategy rather than ideology and the attendees are thinking of ways to get involved in Republican politics and to potentially run for office in several cases. The dynamic and lovely Raquel Okyay was in attendance.

Carl Svensson is doing an excellent job, and we anticipate that the meetings will continue next month. I am on the state board of the RLC. As long as the ideological discussion can be minimized and the focus remain on action toward a few well defined goals, the group can potentially make a dent.

Pro-Liberty Republican Caucus Announces State Candidate Endorsements:
Candidates will fight for limited government, living within our means

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 24, 2008

CONTACT: David FitzSimmons,
rlcminn@gmail.com

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the Republican Liberty Caucus of Minnesota, a state affiliate of the Republican Liberty Caucus [www.RLC.org], announced endorsements for 32 Republican candidates who will restore fiscal responsibility, individual liberty, and reduced size to government at the federal and state levels.

Founded in 1990, the Republican Liberty Caucus works to advance the principles of individual rights, limited government and free enterprise within the Republican Party. In 2008, the Caucus has endorsed over 220 principled candidates in 42 states.

“Our state government is living well beyond its means, and the people are feeling the consequences of government run amok,” said state RLC Chair David FitzSimmons. Congressional candidates endorsed by the Caucus include Ed Matthews, District 4; Barb Davis White, District 5; and Michael Cummins, District 8.

“This is truly an honor,” said Barb Davis White, who is running against first term incumbent Keith Ellison in urban Minneapolis’ District 5. “Let’s fight to maintain the little piece of liberty that we have manged to hold onto. Let our voices be heard together,” urged Davis White.

Eric Franzen was endorsed in his bid for State House, District 60A. According to Franzen, “From schools to energy to health care, government is not the solution. I will work to take the power out of St. Paul and give it back to you.”

Incumbent State Representatives endorsed by the Caucus include Steve Gottwalt, District 15A; Sondra Erickson, District 16A; Ron Shimanski, District 18A; Bruce Anderson, District 19A; Tom Emmer, District 19B; Steve Drazkowski, District 28B; Joyce Peppin, District 32A; and Tom Hackbarth, District 48A.

Challengers endorsed by the Caucus include Allan Kehr, District 7B; David Allan Pundt, District 12A; Joshua Behling, District 15B; Mary Kiffmeyer, District 16B; Jason Johnson, District 29B; Jake Dettinger, District 30A; Rhett Zenke, District 31A; Judy Lindsay, District 37B; Bill Jungbauer, District 39A; Gene Lotts, District 46A; Troy Buchholz, District 47A; Peggy Scott, District 49A; Tim Utz, District 50A; Kathy Lohmer, District 56A; Grant Cermak, District 58A; Felix Montez, District 59A; Adam Martin, District 60B; Andrew Sheppard, District 61A; Kirsten Lindberg, District 61B, and Gilbert Higuera, District 66A.

“The largess of this slate proves that liberty-loving Americans are fighting to preserve our freedoms here in the North Star State,” concluded Chairman FitzSimmons.

To learn more about the Republican Liberty Caucus, visit www.RLC.org .

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Florida RLC Update

Term limits advocate Tom Rooney picked up a Congressional seat (CD 16), replacing incumbent Tim Mahoney in a district still referred to as “Mark Foley’s old seat.” Meanwhile, Rep. Tom Feeney of Orlando (CD 24) lost his Congressional seat.

In the Florida legislature, two of the five RLC-endorsed candidates won their seats: Rich Workman (D30) and Lake Ray (D17). Thanks to Sarah Lovett, Dean Santoro and Matt Caldwell for flying the limited government flag in their first, but hopefully not last, electoral efforts.

RLCer Bruce Reichert won a non-partisan seat on the Collier County Soil & Water Board, as did Jeff Hunt in Duval County. Hunt is not an RLCer, but is the right-hand man of RLCer Adam Guillette, the Florida director of Americans for Prosperity.

Georgia RLC Update

The Republican Liberty Caucus of Georgia needs volunteers! We need liberty oriented folks to step up to the plate and assist the RLC in the following areas:

- Membership renewal and growth
- Writing articles and sending out newsletters
- Legislative coordinator: track legislation in the General Assembly and advise the membership on key votes
- Start a local RLC chapter in your area

If you’re interested in helping out, e-mail chair@gopliberty.org.

Minnesota RLC Update

RLC Minnesota Secretary Norann Dillon penned a beautiful letter in The Woodbury Bulletin on October 29 in response to a letter from a reader that mischaracterized the Republican Liberty Caucus. Norann also offered the following update to RLCMN subscribers:

“RLCMN sent out almost 150 Liberty Compacts to the endorsed Republican candidates in the state. They had to read it and realize there are people who want them to stand for its principles. We received 39 of them back, signed. We’ve received radio mentions by Jason Lewis; we had successful outreach at the Sept. 20 Conservative Issues Fair; Sue Jeffers featured our candidates on her radio show when they called from the Oct. 4th pork chop dinner; we received some press when Kathy Lohmer, candidate in 56A, mentioned our endorsement in a debate, and in the follow up letters to The Woodbury Bulletin.

Additionally, our eGroup has grown from about 170 members in the summer to almost 200 members today. We are creating an identity for ourselves with a RLCMN e-mail address, permanent address, and a bank account (with a positive balance!).

I think this is all significant when you consider that only a handful of people have done this. Imagine where we could go if all 200 of our subscribers found a way to apply themselves. The Executive Committee will meet this month to consider where we should direct our energies next.

RLCMN has six standing committees and three special directors. Which of these should we focus on: website? local chapters? outreach? position papers? membership? coalition building? We are poised and planning for growth. What do you think we should do? I invite and encourage discussion on our direction.

If you have skills, talents or interests that you can offer, please direct them to rlcminn@gmail.com.

I’m excited for our organization. I look forward to reading your thoughts on our future.”

Walter Stanley, RLC member in California, is leading a group of limited government Republicans won 12 seats on the Alameda County Republican Central Committee during the June 3 Statewide Direct Primary Election. There are 30 total seats on the Committee. According to Stanley, “In January, we’ll have a chance to add a few more, further increasing our numbers.” He noted that the Bay Area conservative base casted almost 70,000 total individual votes for the Constitutional Republicans slate. “Our campaign efforts paid off well for us in the end,” noted Stanley.

In Sonoma County, the RLC elected four new members to the Sonoma County Republican Party Central Committee on June 3. “The foursome worked on the Ron Paul campaign and now will work hard to return the Republican Party to its roots,” said RLC California Communications Director Matthew Heath. In January, the group will work hard to fill any open seats with like-minded individuals.

According to RLC California Treasurer Laura Crockett, “[Success comes when you] … show up, work hard, follow through and keep passing out your contact information.”