RELEASE DATE:  October 19, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT:  Susan Stanley  813-603-7403

CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS BY HILLSBOROUGH LIBERTARIANS - LPHC

Tampa, FL - Early this past week, the endorsements and voter guide of the Libertarian Party of Hillsborough County (LPHC) had been compiled and are released. Kevin O'Neill, the volunteer Chairman (2016-17) of the LPHC, commented, “The efforts to assess the candidates started back in the Summer when we prepared our Primary voter guide. We feel some excitment in knowing that 2 of our 'preferred' candidates, Mrs. Jackie Toledo for State House #60, and Mr. Joe Jordon-Robinsion for School Board District #5, both won their primaries by a few 100 votes.” The LPHC prides itself in carefully studying the candidates against the Libertarian principles.  The November 8, General Election voter guide can be found on their website, http://www.hillsboroughlibertarians.org/voter-guide

 

The General Membership of the LPHC had voted unanimously in endorsment of Candidate Todd Jones for office of Property Appraiser. This endorsement was driven primarily by the 30 years of professional experience Mr. Jones has and the numerous licenses in the area of property valuation he has earned. Other endorsements were for top-of-the-ticket, Governor Gary Johnson for US President, Governor William Weld for Vice President, and Paul Stanton for US Senate – all Libertarian candidates for office. Joshua Knezinek was also endorsed as preferred representative on the Soil and Water Conservation Board, District #2.

 

When asked about how the entire list was developed, and if these other names represent an endorsement, Mr. O'Neill responded,”The academic efforts of reviewing the field of a 100+ citizens that stood up to run could not have been completed without the volunteers of our Political Action Committee, which is Chaired by Mrs. Laura Santiago. I am aware that our members both recorded candidate forums, attended those run by other groups, and conducted our own candidate presentations and Q&As. Recorded candidate forums were also reviewed and are presently available to the public on our website, www.LPHC.org.”   Additionally, Mr. O'Neill reported that, ”The main criteria to determining 'preferences' on our voter guide was how each candidate measured up to the platform of principles of our State Party, the LPF.”  Mrs. Santiago added, “The main thing we have learned through this process is the ample opportunity for Libertarian minded individuals to run for office and make a difference at the local level.”

 

The Libertarian Party of Hillsborough County is affiliated with the Libertarian Party of Florida (LPF). The National organization was founded in 1971, the LPF in 1973. We are a volunteer run organization funded by donations. The Mission of the LPHC is to defend and advance the causes of individual liberty, minimum government, and states’ rights by engaging in political action affecting the residents of Hillsborough County.

# # #