New Jersey Libertarian Party members,
I am excited at the prospects for our candidates this year. Reflecting on my performance in 2024, I can confidently say that I did the best I could with the limited resources I had and the internal and external barriers I had to break through. I can also confidently say that given everything I have learned, the connections I have made and the experience I gained - there is plenty I could have done better. I am far from perfect. It is no secret that my priorities as a board member have always been what is best for the New Jersey Libertarian Party’s integrity and what is best for our candidates. Everything I have done up to this point and everything I plan to do in the future will be to elevate the NJLP and its candidates.
First, let’s have a clear idea of what the responsibilities of the VP of Political Affairs are.
“The VP of Political Affairs has overall responsibility for election related activities. The responsibilities outlined for this position encompass a broad range of critical functions that are essential for fostering a robust political presence and ensuring the effective promotion of Libertarian ideals.
- Candidate Recruitment: Actively identifying and engaging potential candidates who align with Libertarian principles, ensuring a diverse and capable slate of candidates for various offices.
- Candidate Training: Developing and implementing training programs that equip candidates with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively campaign and represent Libertarian ideals.
- Candidate Campaign Development: Assisting candidates in formulating comprehensive campaign strategies, including messaging, outreach, and fundraising efforts, to enhance their chances of electoral success.
- Legislative Outreach: Establishing and maintaining relationships with legislators and key stakeholders to advocate for policies that reflect Libertarian values and to promote the party's agenda.
- Political Advocacy: Promoting the principles of the Libertarian Party in a manner consistent with the party's platform, ensuring that advocacy efforts resonate with both the electorate and the broader political landscape.
In addition to these responsibilities, the VP of Political Affairs will be tasked with creating an annual strategic plan for programs, which will be subject to review by the State Board. This strategic plan will serve as a roadmap for the party's electoral activities and initiatives.Furthermore, the VP of Political Affairs will collaborate closely with regional leadership to coordinate the recruitment and support of candidates within specific regions. This collaborative approach ensures that local, county, statewide, and presidential candidates running under the Libertarian banner, as well as those in non-partisan races endorsed by the New Jersey Libertarian Party (NJLP), receive the necessary support and resources to succeed.”
Here are my key goals moving into 2025:
Candidate Recruitment
Finding principle Libertarian candidates with the heart to spread the liberty message will continue to be my goal. With the help of my deputy, we have sent out mailers and texts to registered Libertarians as well as outlets such as email lists, social media and word of mouth to recruit what I feel to be a solid slate of candidates this year. Recruitment never stops, we have until June to get a full slate. I have streamlined the process of candidate screening and plan to implement a ‘candidate contract’ to avoid situations such as what happened in 2023 with Peck, 2023 with Cifrodelli and 2022 with Biasco. I will also encourage recruitment of candidates to run for local office such as school board, sheriff, town councils or appointments such as recreation, land use or environmental boards.
Candidate Training
In former years, candidate training has been abysmal. Candidates have been left to fend for themselves yet take all the blame when they underperform come election day. I am trying to change that. We cannot expect people to put their name on the line under our banner when we offer them very little in return in support. I already have two separate full days on the calendar for candidate training. These seminars will include all the institutional knowledge our party has in regards to ballot access, petitioning, data interpretation, as well as guest experts to guide our candidates in campaign building, messaging, media and strategy.
Candidate Promotion
Last year, it was made clear to me by the current board that there has been a precedence of not promoting candidates as a party with targeted social media ads, yard signs, media outreach, sponsoring public events or debates or facilitating volunteer coordination for things such as door knocking or gathering signatures for our statewide candidates. Let’s be honest. We do not have the resources of the two parties, nor the member base. We have to work together. Should a candidate coordinate their own volunteer squad and fundraise most of their campaign? Yes, ideally. Can they realistically do this given the current climate in New Jersey for 3rd parties and current infrastructure of the NJLP? No, they cannot. I think it’s time we start investing volunteer power and money into our candidates. Can you think of a better investment for the party’s growth and influence in New Jersey?
Legislative Reform
I will continue to fight against ballot access laws in New Jersey. S3994/A5117 passed, nearly in secret, with the Governor signing it into law within 3 days. I will continue to represent the party in Trenton and at different town councils across the state. I formed the Political Affairs Committee to help me in this effort. This committee, along with aiding in candidate support, has been attending town councils speaking out against unconstitutional laws on their books. I hope to expand this committee from its current 5 members to at least 20. I have been nurturing relationships with other 3rd parties, organizations and grassroots groups to communicate and come together against the two party system and the corruption in New Jersey.
Improving Party Culture
I see the party like a ship being pulled by the waves in one direction, the wind in another, with two captains fighting to steer the wheel in opposite directions. Everyone on board has to choose between watching with growing migraines and avoidable sea sickness or abandoned ship. This cannot go on. We are going nowhere fast. Put simply - support leadership with a shared vision, commit to consistent messaging of our platform, immediately connect new members to opportunities to contribute, discourage spiteful behavior, and foster a collaborative environment instead of a combative competitive one.
Help Bring Liberty to New Jersey
I believe my commitment to the aforementioned is how I can, as a board member, as your VP of Political Affairs, help spread liberty in New Jersey. It isn’t groundbreaking, nor will it bring overnight results but with consistency and teamwork, we could see change.
Let’s get to work!
Lana Leguia
VP Political Affairs