WASHINGTON - In its most recent FEC report, for the period ending March 31, 2011, the Libertarian Party reported $284,882.95 in cash with $0 in debt. At the same point four years ago, the party reported $21,962.37 in cash with $31,589.74 in debt.

Libertarian Party Chair Mark Hinkle said, "Four years ago, we were $10,000 in the red. Now we're almost $300,000 in the black. That's a big step forward for the LP, and should help us a lot going into the 2012 campaign.

"If our candidates, volunteers, and donors keep it up, 2012 may be one of the biggest years ever for the Libertarian Party.

"Libertarian candidates deliver a huge bang for the buck. Dollar for dollar, our candidates get more votes than Republicans or Democrats. Libertarian candidates change the debate, swing the outcomes of races, and sometimes win.

"If you don't believe me, ask the Democratic Party operatives who sent mailers in several congressional districts last fall, telling voters that our candidates would shrink government more than the Republicans."

Hinkle added, "A lot of our war chest is going to be used for ballot access. Many people are unaware that the Republican and Democratic parties have free access to the ballot, but the Libertarian Party has to struggle through massive petition drives."

The Libertarian National Committee recently set a goal of getting 200 Libertarian candidates on the ballot for U.S. House in 2012.

Libertarian percentages in three-way races for U.S. House have been on an upward trend: in 2004, they got an average of 2.30%; in 2006, 2.74%; in 2008, 2.97%; in 2010, 3.40%. (That only includes races where the Republican, Democrat, and Libertarian together got at least 99.9% of the vote.)

Every four years since 1988, the Libertarian Party's presidential nominee has been on the ballot in at least 44 states. Except for the Republicans and Democrats, no other political party has come close to that track record.

For more information, or to arrange an interview, call LP Executive Director Wes Benedict at 202-333-0008 ext. 222.

The LP is America's third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets, civil liberties, and peace. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party at our website.

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