Ron Vandevender
| Ron Vandevender | |
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| Personal Details | |
| Birth: | December 29, 1958 Longbeach, CA |
| Death: | March 10, 2022 (aged 63) Craig, MT |
| Party: | Libertarian Party |
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Ronald "Ron" Scott Vandevender (December 29, 1958–March 10, 2022) was a Libertarian Party activist. He was a former chair of the Libertarian Party of Montana and made several bids, although unsuccessful, for public office in recent years. In 2017, he stepped down as Chair after being elected in 2016 due to physical strain, and his Vice Chair Elinor Swanson replaced him as Chair.
He was the 2012 Montana libertarian candidate for governor, running on a ticket with Marc Mulcahy. Vandevender was also the 2016 Libertarian candidate for lieutenant governor of Montana on a ticket with Ted Dunlap.
Vandevender also ran for House District 84 in 2008 and 2010. He ran for House District 80 in 2014.
Political Experience
- Candidate, Montana State House of Representatives, District 80, 2014, 2020
- Candidate, Montana House of Representatives, District 84, 2008, 2010, 2012
- Candidate, Montana State Governor, 2012
- Candidate, United States House of Representatives, Mississippi, District 2, 1996
Professional Experience
- Employment
- Former Employee, Mississippi Highway Department Project Office
- Former County Coordinator, Trent Lott Senatorial Campaign
- Former Employee, Yazoo Arts Council
Resignation Email
Here is what Vandevender sent out in an email to party supporters. He wrote:
Let me first state that I hold my Libertarian ideals to heart and believe firmly in them. There has been much said and done since September after the death of Mike Fellows to keep the Libertarians going and moving in a positive direction. There has been countless hours of effort put in by a very small number of people and I thank them for their effort. At the same time, lack of support, actions and input by others we needed done to solidify things at the state and county levels which I was under the impression were being done, coupled by family health issues (mine included) caused oversight on things as we moved forward. Any mistakes I may have made were not done intentionally to mislead or cause problems, yet I do not feel comfortable as I feel that may be the case. I have never been one to sit back and do nothing with a wait and see attitude nor to keep my mouth closed and tow the line just because. I’m sure there are questions from both in and outside the party which I may and may not be able to answer but I will be the first to admit that I am not perfect and make mistakes. If people want that they need to forget politics and wait for the second coming. Less government, taxes and control imposed on us is of great importance and I will never give up on that. Neither can aggression and rudeness be tolerated. People being put down because of where they were born or not born or someone else’s ideal of another’s education level can not be accepted either. Especially by a party official, candidate for office or office holder.
This all being said, It is with great sorrow that I must respectfully submit my resignation as Chairman of the Montana Libertarian Party effective immediately.
Ron Vandevender