Minutes June 17, 2020 NWMLP Convention
Northwest Michigan Libertarian Party (NwMLP) Nominating Convention Minutes
Wednesday, June 17, 2020 @6:30PM
JK Whisper Cafe, 105 Industrial Drive, Buckley, MI
Call Meeting to Order – Chairperson Biskupski called the meeting to order at 6:45pm
Role Call – Present: Peter Biskupski, Ben Schulz, Ben Boren, Donna Gundle-
Kreig, Phil Lindsay, David Holmer. Others: Cory and Stephanie Dean, Jason and Shawn Crum, Frank Pelky.
Absent: Kristen Kuhn, Lauren Elizabeth Todd.
Announcements – July 18th State Convention. Purpose of last convention was to elect delegates for the national convention. Purpose of this convention is to select state candidates and approve local race candidates.
Next Business Meeting will be Zoom on August 19th @ 6:30pm
Presentation of Candidates by Political Director – 6 candidates are good
variety and all freedom loving.
Tom Gray: absent, but running for Homestead Trustee.
David Holmer: One of the co-founders for our affiliate, NwMLP, and was the first political director. Ran in 2018 for Manistee County Commissioner and got
26% vote in a two person race against a Democrat incumbent. 2019 led protest in city for property rights with fire pits. Running again for Manistee County
Commissioner against same Democrat incumbent.
Jason Crum: videos with Libertarian beliefs and background in radio. He tends to lean Republican, but didn’t get a response
back. Feels there might not be a “normal person” running and wants to run an education type campaign.
Frank Pelky: Ran previously as a Democrat. Activist fighting for propertyrights and went against city for noise ordinance and police harassment. Feels other party keeps encroaching on you. So, running Libertarian for Homestead Township Clerk.
Cory Dean: Ran Republican in 2012 and lost by 3 votes. They pay $115/mo for 2 meetings. Feels taxation and wasteful spending is theft. Ran Republican in 2016 and lost by 3%. So, running Libertarian now because it’s something that he always wanted to do.
Donna Gundle-Kreig: One of the co-founders of our affiliate and was the first chair. Running for Township Supervisor against a Republican and a
Democrat sex offender. Feels local races are winnable and other candidates shouldn’t consider themselves to be shoo-ins/
Outreach Director, Ben Boren, remind BBQ event for Sept. 13th will be meet & greet. More details to come.
New Business –
Election of delegates to State Convention in July: Donna Gundle-Kreig, Phil Lindsay, Peter Biskupski, Ben Boren, David Holmer, Frank Pelky.
Alternates: Ben Schultz, Kristen Kuhn, Dana Carver, Andy Evans, Jason Evans. Motion -Phil; 2nd – Donna. PASS 11-0.
Vacancy of Secretary Position. Approval of David Holmer becoming next Secretary and acceptance of and in lieu of Kristen Kuhn’s resignation. Motion
Donna; 2nd Ben Boren. PASS 5-0.
Postponement – Chairperson Biskupski postpones remaining convention until July 18th (State Convention Affiliate Caucus) @ 7:29pm.
July 19th: Call Caucus to Order – Chairperson called caucus to order @ 3:10pm.
Caucus adds nomination of Thomas Bosch for Long Lake Township Trustee.
Caucus accepts withdrawal of Tom Gray from nominations.
Caucus nominates Ben Boren for US House Rep, Congress. Dist. #1.
Candidate Meet & Greet will be at 11am Sept 13th in Traverse City, exact place TBA.
Adjournment – Chairperson adjourns caucus and convention @ 4:30pm.