The Nebraska Republican Liberty Caucus received its state charter status from the National Republican Liberty Caucus in June, and this marks the first election in which the group has endorsed candidates for office. State Chair Laura Ebke of Crete indicated that the endorsement of Josh Furnish by the RLC Nebraska Board of Directors was a unanimous vote, and represented a strong sense that Furnish would represent the principles of the RLC well.

According to Mrs. Ebke, “Josh Furnish is a small businessman, a parent, and a community volunteer who has the experience voters are looking for. Voters looking for change and tax relief should choose Josh in November. Josh’s success this November will result in more prosperity, lower taxes, and liberty for residents in Cass County.”

Added Ebke, “Ultimately, we believe that the best place for governance to occur is as locally as possible. County Commissioners are an important first step in assuring that our government stays as small and efficient as possible, and makes the best possible use of taxpayer dollars.”  READ MORE from the press release.

Josh Furnish is a Republican candidate for Commissioner in Cass County, Nebraska, District 1 and, if elected, will represent Wards 1, 2, and 4 in Plattsmouth.

The inaugural event of the Nebraska Chapter of the Republican Liberty Caucus took place at the Double D Ranch outside of Ashland, Nebraska on Friday evening, July 11.  The event, which included dinner, social time, and introductions of the organizational Officers and Board of Directors, marked the first time that the group had assembled as a group—and indeed the first time that many of our folks had actually met one another face to face, in spite of many phone conversations and e-mail communications which had taken place.  All 21 of the charter members (those who had paid their dues by June 30) were in attendance, and several new charter members joined the group, as well.  A total of 39 members and guests were in attendance for this first event.

The event, deliberately held this year in conjunction with the Nebraska GOP Convention the next day, included discussions of how we might be most effective in promoting the cause of liberty in the Republican Party.  The Nebraska RLC welcomed a guest, Don Waggoner, a local businessman who has a long history as a political “operative” in Nebraska, and who worked in the Goldwater movement toward the end, and served as an advance man for Ronald Reagan for his brief presidential run in 1968.  Waggoner, and a couple of other local Goldwater-era folks, agreed to help our group navigate convention politics the next day, and to add their experience to our efforts.

The consensus was that our next Convention, to be held in 2010, would take place several weeks prior to the Party Convention, and would include debate on proposals to the State GOP Platform so that the Nebraska RLC could submit proposals as a block of the state party.

At the Convention, the RLC had a booth. According to Nebraska RLC Chair Laura Ebke, “I saw a lot of people walking around with our literature and a few even picked up our RLC buttons and were wearing them.”

Three Nebraska RLC charter members were elected on Saturday—outside of the McCain organization slate—as uncommitted delegates (2) and alternates (1) to the National GOP Convention.  Our newly chartered chapter was recognized formally by the Nebraska state Republican Party Chair, and Nebraska RLC members were welcomed as (mostly) new participants in the process.  All in all, a great weekend to be part of the Nebraska RLC!

Many thanks to Laura Ebke for her experience and enthusiasm in the Nebraska RLC charter process.

DC: The state RLC is attempting to charter and will hold its first meeting on July 15 at Brickskeller north of Dupont circle at 6:30pm.

Florida: The state RLC is working on a new web site that will debut shortly. Stay tuned.

Idaho: As detailed earlier in the blog, the state GOP Convention saw two rivals fight out debate on the platform and future direction of the party, with our pro-liberty faction coming out ahead. The new state chair is Norm Semanko.

Illinois: The state RLC met at the GOP Convention in Decatur on June 6 and 7. Unfortunately, the libertarian-leaning Steve Rauschenberger was defeated for the state committeeman seat by Pat Brady.

Maine: The state RLC is working on candidate endorsements.

Nebraska: The Nebraska RLC charter has been approved. In celebration of the new charter, the Nebraska RLC will hold its first event on July 11 at 5:30pm at the Double D Ranch (567 County Rd. C) in Ashland, Nebraska. Click here to view a PDF of the event invitation.

Nevada: An alternative GOP Convention was held recently, in protest of the previous Convention. See below post for additional information. The state party-sponsored Republican Convention will reconvene on July 26.

New Hampshire: The state RLC is working on candidate endorsements.

New York: The state RLC is working on candidate endorsements.

Ohio: The RLC has a new state contact in Ohio, retired Colonel John Mitchel. Mr. Mitchel is very involved with his community, is a member of his local GOP Committee, and has nearly 30 years of military experience. He is also an adjunct college professor. We look forward to his active involvement in chartering the Ohio chapter of the RLC.

Utah: The newly chartered state affiliate is working on candidate endorsements.