Over the past few weeks, we have seen our beloved home state dominate the national news cycle as the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the uber high-profile Moore v. Harper. When the federal government makes sweeping changes, it affects all of us, and we, the Libertarian Party of North Carolina (LPNC), certainly strive to stay aware and informed, and to pass that information along for anyone who finds it useful or wants to act on it further. Our Second Amendment coordinator, Justin Hinckley, did so in this newsletter, for example, and we will continue to use every means at our disposal to keep North Carolina citizens aware of the actions the federal government is taking which could affect their lives.

However, our government gets its power from the people who fill its positions, further its machinations, and wield – or resist – its authority, and the LPNC remembers that, first and foremost. Each individual is worthy of defending, no exceptions, period. We watch national news, but we take local action in defense of people, and our efforts continue to bear fruit. It’s in these moments, interacting with people on a human level, no pretense, no ego, where I feel the holiday spirit most deeply. The easiest path forward is to ignore the realities in our backyard and focus on the loudest national news story, and then expect a national solution to our backyard problems. But that’s not the Libertarian way.

This month, for example, we are proud of the work we put into helping Pastor Moses Colbert raise the money he needed to provide a safe place to sleep and protect from the cold people who have nowhere else to go, which is discussed in detail further down. And I am proud personally to have worked beside all these wonderful people, from the LPNC and many other places, as we came together in defense of individuals who needed it most.

I am also proud of each individual volunteer who sacrificed time and money to run for office this year. Wake County, in particular, has done well recruiting candidates and running campaigns, as Wake County LP Chair Travis Groo discusses in his interview. In the upcoming off-cycle year, I look forward to standing next to more of you as you make the decision to dedicate yourself to furthering the cause of Liberty. The LPNC is here to support everyone who wants to run for office.

Of course, I am also proud when the combined efforts of each individual in the LPNC begin to make a real difference and it gets noticed elsewhere. We are always more than just the sum of our parts, a point that hits home in the discussion between our Political Director, Dee Watson, and Larry Sharpe, on his podcast. They talk about the wonderful things we have accomplished in North Carolina as well as all the things we have left to do.

Finally, I am proud to have worked with Brian Irving this year, who will be stepping down from his role as Executive Director on the LPNC Executive Committee. Brian, you have been a good friend and trusted advisor, and you have always been and remain a relentless steward of Liberty. I am grateful for the work you put into the LPNC, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together going forward. On behalf of the entire LPNC, thank you.

For all of you reading this, I want to wish you the happiest and most peaceful of holidays. Remember the worth of each individual person in yourself and those around you. Then, get ready for 2023, as we in the LPNC have only just gotten started!

-Joe Garcia, LPNC Chair