Duane Whitmer

Duane Whitmer
Chair Libertarian Party of New York
September 21, 2024—present
Predecessor:	Andrew Kolstee
Successor:	Incumbent
1st Vice-Chair Libertarian Party of New York
September 18, 2022—September 21, 2024
Predecessor:	Tony D'Orazio
Successor:	Daniel Castello
2nd Vice-Chair Libertarian Party of New York
September 27, 2020—September 18, 2022
Predecessor:	Steve Minogue
Successor:	Rich Purtell
Chair Erie County Libertarian Party
August 14, 2019—present
Predecessor:	Edward Garrett
Successor:	Incumbent
Personal Details
Education:	SUNY Fredonia
Occupation:	Accountant
Party:	Libertarian Party
Media
Website:	https://duanewhitmer.com
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Duane J. Whitmer is a Libertarian Party activist and the owner of an accounting business. His is the current Chair of the Libertarian Party of New York (since 2024) and Chair of the Erie County Libertarian Party (since 2019). He previously served as 2nd Vice-Chair (2020—2022) and 1st Vice-Chair (2022—2024) of the Libertarian Party of New York. From 2018 to 2020, he ran for U.S. Congress in New York's District 27 for the 2020 election.

Biography

Whitmer was born and raised in Franklinville, New York. He attended SUNY Fredonia and graduated with an a degree in accounting in 2009. He began his own business, DJW Financial Services, now Whitmer Accounting and Tax. He was first involved in the Libertarian Party when Larry Sharpe was running for Governor in 2018. He became Western New York Field Director for the campaign after Andrew Kolstee stepped down from the position. He became Treasurer of the Erie County Libertarian Party on August 25, 2018.

Whitmer launched a campaign for Congress in early 2019. He was elected Chair of the Erie County Libertarian Party on August 14, 2019.

Political Campaigns

Larry Sharpe for Governor (2018)

Whitmer served as Deputy Field Director for Western New York for the Larry Sharpe gubernatorial campaign, following the resignation of Andrew Martin Kolstee.

Duane Whitmer for U.S. Congress (2020)

On November 13, 2018, he announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress in New York's 27th congressional district. In February 2020, he was endorsed for the special election that was scheduled to take place on April 28, 2020. However, this was moved to June 23, 2020. Scott Flynn collected petitions to challenge Whitmer to be on the Libertarian Party line for the November 2020 ballot, but dropped out and was replaced by Nick Phelps. On June 23, 2020, Whitmer defeated Phelps 123—38, with 13 blank and write-in votes, not including absentee ballots.

Duane Whitmer for Erie County Comptroller (2021)

Whitmer ran for Erie County Comptroller in 2021.

Duane Whitmer for Lt. Governor of New York (2022)

Whitmer sought the Libertarian Party nomination for Lt. Governor of New York at the 2022 Nominating Convention, but lost to Andrew Hollister.

Duane Whitmer for Erie County Executive (2023)

Whitmer ran for Erie County Executive. He participated in two debates.

Organizational Positions

Libertarian Party of New York

• Communications Director (2022–January 22, 2024)
• 1st Vice-Chair (September 18, 2022—present)
• 2nd Vice-Chair (September 27, 2020—September 18, 2022)
• Treasurer (FLP) (May 4, 2019—present)
• Member, Interim State Committee (2019—2020)

Erie County Libertarian Party

• Treasurer (August 25, 2018—August 14, 2019)
• Chair (August 14, 2019—present)

External Links

• Campaign Facebook page