Kelsey Kruzich / Staff Photo Political signs at Collin College Spring Creek campus reflected support not only for Republican and Democratic candidates, but for Libertarian ones as well. The third party received .79 straight ticket votes in Collin County on Tuesday, a number party members see as a sign of progress.

Bryan McAnich has been chair of the Libertarian Party of Collin County since 2010, and said he noticed an increase in membership over the past several years, the most the party has experienced since it began roughly 10 years ago.

With 750 members and counting, McAnich said the partys platform has been well-received among local community colleges and among voters within the 24-36 age bracket.

A lot of people tend to agree that a lot of people are getting a little suspicious of having Republicans and Democrats in office for so long. We have all of these problems and only two different people to blame, he said. I think people are beginning to start to question this political duality, especially among the younger crowd.

With urban areas traditionally known for reflecting a larger Democratic presence and rural suburbia carrying a more conservative stance, Collin County is unique because the urban sprawl that has accompanied the population boom brings the potential for political shift with it, McAnich said.

And that, he said, gives the Libertarian Party a bit more room on the playing field.

I think its going to bring a little bit more socially tolerant viewpoints, he said. Republicans typically are very fiscally conservative but also socially conservative. When you bring some of the big city Democrats into the suburbs it may bring more socially tolerant viewpoints along with it.

Since campaign financing for Libertarian frontrunners pales in comparison to the pockets of their red and blue counterparts, social media has been an important tool for gaining support, McAnich said. With no central office, Collin County Libertarians typically lease out rooms at local colleges or hold gatherings at public venues. Even though limited resources are a struggle with any third party, it hasnt prevented the Libertarian Party to continue the momentum it has been slowly gaining since its founding in 1972, McAnich said.

Being a third party is always a challenge. Democrats and Republicans have kind of colluded and created very high hurdles for third parties to clear in order to get into debates and things like that, he said. Both really do have something to lose, [however], because Libertarianism takes the best from both worlds. I think both parties are a little intimidated by the fact that we might come in and take a few of their votes away.

Noting their new and slightly more polished presidential candidate than theyve had in the past, McAnich said the Libertarian Party has evolved in terms of politicking, something that will help them in the coming elections, both in terms of following and financing.

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Parties making stakes in Collin County: Growth trends open doors to Democrats, Libertarians