Virtual statewide gathering voluntarily mixes business with caution

RALEIGH, April 10, 2020―The Libertarian Party of North Carolina (LPNC) replaced its planned 2020 state convention in Greensboro with a virtual convention that took place on April 4. The party made the move, intended to avoid personal contact during the COVID-19 pandemic, on its own initiative before any state or local government shutdown mandates had been announced.

March 15, 2020

The LPNC Executive Committee just concluded a special meeting to consider emergency arrangements for our state convention, scheduled for April 3-5. In light of the recent developments surrounding the US outbreak of COVID-19, we have agreed that the responsible thing to do for public health and the safety of our attendees and families is to not hold our Convention in person this spring.

We will conduct the necessary business of the Convention on Saturday, April 14, in a time and manner that will be advertised soon. If you are an LPNC member and wish to be named as a delegate to the National Convention, a member of the Judicial Committee, or an Elector, contact Susan Hogarth at [email protected].

All those registered for the Convention will be contacted personally this week to thank them for their commitment and to offer them a refund of registration fees.

To say this was a difficult decision is a sorrowful understatement. Every one of us relishes resisting the state at every legitimate opportunity - but we did not relish the thought of making medical martyrs out of activists for no compelling reason. It was also becoming clear that planning an event in such circumstances involved too much uncertainty as to venue availability, delegate attendance, and guest travel. We appreciate the feedback received from many members on this difficult choice.

Lastly, the Convention Committee was working hard to bring us the best Convention ever, with so much fun, information, and education, that it was many extra pangs of regret to let it go. We want to acknowledge the hard work and passion put into the effort by Travis Groo, Pam Alexander, Kathy Cockerell, Chris Cash-Dooley, Reid Deal, Ryan Teeter, Kristin Gable, Michael Worth, David Ulmer, Erik Raudsep, Jeff Scott, Brad Hessel, and Matt Clements.

Please ask Chair Susan Hogarth, Vice Chair Brent DeRidder, or any Executive Committee member if you have questions.

Congratulations to Jacob Hornberger for finishing first among 15 candidates on the ballot in the Super Tuesday Libertarian Party presidential preference primary.

And congratulations to Anthony Mascolo for his win in the NC State Senate District 8 Libertarian primary.

If you haven’t voted in the North Carolina primary, you can still stop by your polling place in the way home from (or to!) work. If you are registered Libertarian or Unaffiliated you can vote in the Libertarian Party of NC non-binding presidential preference poll. Although we select our final presidential and vice-presidential candidates in Convention in Austin (at no expense to the taxpayers!), the primary is a great chance to show which candidates have captured interest and support within the Libertarian Party. 

So, do go vote. But if you have a passion for making the world a better place, let today’s vote be your starting place for deeper involvement. 

Join or renew your membership in the state party - you can do that here:

https://www.lpnc.org/join-the-lpnc

recurring donations are especially welcome in allowing us to budget for outreach, County affiliate growth, and candidate support.