Libertarian Party to Convene in Ann Arbor

5/4/2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Emily Hopp Salvette
734-668-2607
Salvette@aol.com

The Libertarian Party of Michigan will hold its 2000 nominating convention in Ann Arbor on the weekend of May 19 - 21 at the Best Western Executive Plaza. All events and business sessions are open to the general public.

The convention opens Friday night, May 19, with a welcome party and trivia contest sponsored by the convention host Libertarian Party of Washtenaw County. Saturday will feature business sessions and nationally renowned guest speakers. New this year will be introductory classes outlining the philosophy and positions of the Libertarian Party on such issues as gun control, affirmative action, education reform, and environmental protection. These hour-long classes, which begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, are free and do not require advance registration.

The major business of the convention will be the nomination of candidates for the November 7, 2000 general election. The Libertarian Party, a minor party according to Michigan election law, selects its candidates at a party caucus such as this convention. Party officials plan that by noon on Saturday, May 20, over 100 candidates will be selected for public offices ranging from Township Supervisor to U.S. Senator.

On Saturday afternoon, the convention will also choose 72 delegates to attend the national Libertarian Party presidential nominating convention to be held June 29 - July 3 in Anaheim, California. Of the fifty states, Michigan will send the third-largest delegation to Anaheim, where the LP's candidate for President of the United States will be chosen. All three presidential front runners will attend the event in Ann Arbor to solicit support for their campaigns -- including the Libertarian Party's 1996 nominee, Harry Browne. A presidential candidate debate, moderated by Comerica Bank Chief Economist, David Littmann, is scheduled for the Saturday evening banquet.

A special Sunday brunch will feature Hillsdale College professor, Richard Ebeling, who will speak about private-sector solutions to social problems.

For more details visit the Libertarian Party of Michigan Convention 2000 web site at www.LpMich.org/Convention/2000/ or contact the convention chairman, Emily Hopp Salvette at 734-668-2607 or by e-mail at Salvette@aol.com.