State convention kicks off Friday in Concord

by K. Brent Olsen

It’s almost here! This Friday through Sunday, April 5–7, 2019, the Libertarian Party of California (LPC) will be hosting its annual convention in Concord, California, at the Crowne Plaza hotel. This promises to be an exciting event, with more than 20 excellent guest speakers, special training for candidates, networking and training for county organizing, candidate endorsements, and election of party leadership for the coming term.

Our line-up of guest speakers will convey information, tools, and messages ranging from tactical to moving and exhilarating. The convention committee is honored to bring delegates and guests such eminent leaders as former Calimesa mayor and newly elected Libertarian Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Hewitt; Jon Coupal, president of Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association; David Friedman, academic economist and author of The Machinery of Freedom: Guide to a Radical Capitalism; and Judge Jim Gray, the 2012 Libertarian vice-presidential nominee and author of A Voter’s Handbook: Effective Solutions to America’s Problems.

Of course, the primary purpose of our conventions is to conduct the party’s business. This year, in addition to the platform and bylaws committees’ reports, when delegates will have the chance to shape our organizational and political documents, we will hold elections for chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, three coordinators for our brand new geographic areas (northern, central, and southern), four at-large members and two alternate at-large members of the executive committee.

Help set your party’s direction for the coming year Tickets: Find your perfect convention package and register now, at Ca.LP.org/convention. Sponsorships: Promote your organization as a sponsor or with a table in our exhibit area, available on Saturday and Sunday. For information, send e-mail to Convention [at] Ca.LP [dot] org. Hotel: The Crowne Plaza may still have guest rooms available at the LPC’s special rate. For reservations, please inquire to the hotel directly by phone, at (925) 825-7700.

The race for LPC chair has heated up, with three candidates having declared: incumbent Chair Honor “Mimi” Robson; Robert Imhoff-Dousharm, treasurer of the Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County; and Joshua Smith, treasurer of the LP of Contra Costa County and an at-large member of the Libertarian National Committee (LNC).

Two additional at-large seats will likely be up for election, because At-Large Member Justin Quigley is — at press time — unopposed in his bid for Central Area coordinator, and At-Large Member Rebecca Lau has recently moved to New York to work for John Stossel.

Whether you’re already an activist, candidate, or leader — or you’re a brand-new LPC member trying to figure it all out — don’t miss out on this once-a-year opportunity for inspiration and kinship with fellow California Libertarians.

See you in Concord on April 5–7!

K. Brent Olsen is northern vice chair of the Libertarian Party of California, and chair of the LPC’s 2019 convention committee.