January 1998

Final tally for Election '97: LP victorious in 34 races Libertarian Fred Collins is sworn in as a new City Council member in Berkley, Michigan, on November 19th. Collins is one of 34 LP members elected to office in November. Campaign '97 turned out to be even better news than Libertarians expected, with late election returns pushing the number of winners up to 34 -- far and away the most election victories on one day in party history. Another dozen winners, all from Pennsylvania, trickled in after the polls closed, and were added to the 22 winners reported in the last issue of LP News. In all, Libertarians were elected in eight states: Ohio, Connecticut, Washington, Idaho, Michigan, California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Since 166 Libertarians had been actively running for office, the flurry of victories meant that the Libertarian Party racked up an unprecedented 20% winning percentage in Election '97 -- with one out of every five LP candidates winning office. Libertarians won four City Council seats around the country, as well as a position on a Zoning Board, as a Township Trustee, and on a town Board of Supervisors. Pennsylvania State Chair Tim Moir: Won office as Inspector of Elections With the final numbers on, LP National director Ron Crickenberger said that 1997 was definitely a banner year for Libertarian campaigns. "We ran a record number of candidates for an off-year election," he noted. "We have gone from 171 Libertarians in 33 states holding public office to 235 in 38 states -- a 37% increase. With the dozen new victories, Pennsylvania confirmed its status as the LP's top election success story of 1997. "No previous election has ever elected this many Libertarians [in one state] in the entire country," noted Pennsylvania LP State Chair Tim Moir. Added to the winner's circle in Pennsylvania were: Peter Bonczewski, Judge Of Elections, Wilkes-Barre 6-14-6 Luzerne County. George H. Brusstar VII, Inspector Of Elections, Upper Merion Montgomery County. Arlan C. Diefenderfer, Inspector Of Elections, Richland Upper Bucks County. Berlie Etzel, Tax Assessor, Ashland Township Clarion County. Vernon Etzel, School Director, Keystone School District, Clarion County. William Johnson, Inspector Of Elections, Dallas Township 5-South Luzerne County. Wayne Mickletz, Inspector Of Elections, Douglass District 4 Montgomery County. Rich Piotrowski, Inspector Of Elections, Richland Lower Bucks County. Michael Speranza, Judge Of Elections, Warminster District 6 Bucks County. Elizabeth C. Summers, Judge Of Elections, Wilkes-Barre 6-1-6 Luzerne County. Zelda Swartz, Inspector Of Elections, Norristown District Montgomery County. Dave Walter, Auditor, Chester County.

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