For the first time in history, the county has gained a third party, with the recent establishment of the Libertarian Party of Harrison County.

As far as I know, this is the first instance of there being an organization in Harrison County, said Michele Swint, who was appointed as chairperson by State Chair Patrick Dixon on Feb. 6.

Officials at the elections office further confirmed the historic establishment, advising that there isnt any record of a prior Libertarian Party at their office.

Swint, a resident of Hallsville, decided to look into forming one after moving here from Lamar County where she was active in the political party there.

I moved down here from Lamar County and there was no Libertarian Party here and I wanted to go to the meetings and be involved in it, she said. The closest meetings I could drive to were in Gilmer. (Thus) I stepped up to see what needed to be done to establish one (in Harrison County) and here I am.

I talked to the chairperson over the party of Texas and went through the process of making sure I met the criteria. I went through a (process) and they appointed me, she said.

The Precinct Convention was held March 11; the County Convention was held March 15; the Senate District 1 Convention was held March 22 in Longview where the party is also emerging as a third political party in Gregg County; and the upcoming State Convention will be April 11-13 in Temple.

During the convention, the party will choose its nominees for governor and other statewide offices.

The Libertarian Party, Americas third largest political party, was founded in 1971. According to the national website for the party, http://www.lp.org, Libertarians believe in the American heritage of liberty, enterprise, and personal responsibility.

Libertarians recognize the responsibility everyone shares to preserve this precious heritage for children and grandchildren.

Read the rest here:

Libertarian Party officially forms in Harrison County