The Georgia Dissent

On September 29, 2024, in a specially called meeting, the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Georgia made undoubtedly one of the worst decisions in the history of the LPGA. 

The committee (13:7) voted to join the Kennedy Victory Fund, a joint fund-raising agreement with Robert F. Kennedy. Kennedy is still a candidate for President in some states and is directly supporting Donald Trump, opposing the Libertarian candidate, Chase Oliver. By entering into this agreement, the Executive Committee voted to directly undermine Chase Oliver’s campaign. 

The resolution passed with Barker, Bell, Boykin, Cunningham, Johnson, Lindborg, Moldenhower, Phillips, Placie, Richards, Salvia, Sheehan, and Varnell voting in favor. The dissenting votes were Austin, Craig, Graham, Holt, McKinney, Mosely, and Williams. 

We, the undersigned, believe that this Executive Committee is acting contrary to the stated purpose of the Libertarian Party of Georgia which is to nominate and support Libertarian candidates, and in doing so, is disregarding its obligation to the membership of the Libertarian Party of Georgia to act as custodial trustees of the assets, resources, and ideals of the Party.

Entering into a fundraising agreement to allow a major party candidate access to additional fundraising directly supports the RFK/Trump campaign to the detriment of the Chase Oliver campaign. This service to one major party is in direct opposition to the stated purpose of the Libertarian Party of Georgia. It is also in direct contradiction to a Resolution passed by the membership at the 2024 State Convention which stated, 

“…That the 2024 Convention body does hereby direct the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Georgia to safeguard physical and intangible assets (including such intangible assets as ballot access, membership databases, and membership goodwill), increase the number of affiliates and support the growth of existing affiliates, continually work to expand the membership and reach of the Party, communicate regularly with the membership, hold annual conventions at a time and place that maximizes membership participation, act in accordance with membership wishes to maintain their goodwill, keep accurate records, keep legal filings up to date, and recruit and support candidates to ensure the Party meets the minimum requirements to maintain state-wide ballot access;…” 

Due to Georgia’s draconian ballot access laws and canceled Public Service Commissioner elections, Chase Oliver is the only Libertarian on the Georgia ballot in 2024, making future ballot access for LPGA solely dependent on Oliver’s vote totals. As Ballot Access is one of the Party’s most critical assets, it is the responsibility of the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Georgia to do everything within our power to maintain ballot access. This committee has abandoned that responsibility.

We, the undersigned, publicly declare our belief that the joint fundraising agreement with the Kennedy Victory Fund is contrary to the objectives and stated purpose of the Libertarian Party of Georgia. We encourage other Georgia libertarians to join us at our next state convention, where we can elect leadership that will return us to a united, independent third party. 

Christine Austin

Colin McKinney

Ryan Graham

Laura Williams

Andrea Holt

Mark Mosley

Danny Dolan

Doug Craig