Libertarians turn 1, prep for primary

LIMA — Allen County's Libertarians are now a first-birthday political party.

On Sunday, the party's central committee blew out a single candle on a chocolate cake as they looked back on a first year of operation and looked ahead to the upcoming primary.

“Today marks one year ago that we approved our bylaws and became a party in Allen County,” said Chairman Don Kissick, adding the process wasn't as difficult as he'd expected.

“When you think about it, you're supposed to develop your bylaws, figure out a plan and policy, but we said let's just do it.” Kissick said. “The process sounds far more intimidating than it really is.”

Meeting Sunday in the training room of the Allen County Sanitation Engineer building, the committee also reviewed sample ballots for the March 6 primary. The ballots list candidates Kissick for county commissioner and Paul D. Hinds for 12th District state senator, currently held by Celina Republican Keith Faber. Hinds is treasurer of the county Libertarians and the party's executive committee.

Not listed on the ballot is Chris Kalla, who is running as a write-in candidate for the 4th Congressional District. It will be easier from a procedural standpoint for Kalla to run as a write-in than it would be gather signatures of registered Libertarians for a petition, Kissick said.

Registered Libertarians will be eligible to vote in the March 6 primary. Registered independent voters also can vote in the Libertarian primary, but they must request the Libertarian ballot.

Kissick said the candidates are preparing for upcoming events including a forum for county commissioner candidates, hosted by the Allen County Patriots at its next meeting Feb. 11; and another forum for county commissioner candidates in late February, to be hosted by the Lima-Allen County Chamber of Commerce.