Larry Sharpe (politician)

Larry Sharpe
Born Larry David Sharpe
(1968-07-12) July 12, 1968
New York, New York, U.S.
Residence Astoria, Queens, New York
Education University of Maryland University College (B.A.)
Occupation Business consultant
Known for
Political party Libertarian Party
Children 2
Military career
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch  United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1986–1993
Rank Staff sergeant
Website Official site

Larry David Sharpe (born July 12, 1968) is an American business consultant, entrepreneur, and political activist. He was a candidate for the Libertarian Party nomination for Vice President of the United States in 2016. Sharpe is the founder and Managing Director of Neo-Sage Group, Inc. On July 12, 2017, he announced his candidacy for Governor of New York in the 2018 election.

Early life and career

Sharpe was born on July 12, 1968 in Manhattan, New York and was adopted as an infant. He joined the United States Marines Corps at age 17,[1] and he received a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from the University of Maryland.[2] After working as an English teacher, Sharpe founded Prime Distribution Inc. (a trucking and distribution company which he later sold) in 2001.[3] In 2004, Sharpe built an online business training company called Neo-Sage Group, Inc.,[4][5] and serves as managing director.[1][2]

Political career

As a Libertarian Party activist, Sharpe has outlined a vision to grow the party by encouraging grassroots Libertarian Party campaigns across the country.[6] Sharpe served on the Libertarian National Committee as the Alternate for Region 8, until his resignation in February 2018 because of an internal LNC vote that failed to oust the party's then-vice chair, Arvin Vohra, following public controversial comments.[7]

2016 vice presidential campaign

Sharpe was a candidate for the 2016 Libertarian vice presidential nomination. During the 2016 Libertarian National Convention, he placed second on the first ballot with 30.4% of the vote. Because no one received a majority on that ballot, a second ballot vote was held.[8] Sharpe received 46.9% of the vote on the second ballot, finishing second to former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld who won the party's vice-presidential nomination by securing a majority of votes on the second ballot.[9][10]

2018 New York gubernatorial campaign

On July 12, 2017, Sharpe announced his 2018 candidacy for Governor of New York, making him the first person to mount a challenge to incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo.[11] Sharpe received the Libertarian nomination on April 21, 2018 and Andrew Hollister was selected as the Lieutenant Governor nominee for the ticket.[12]

Sharpe's campaign raised $102,596 prior to the first filing deadline, which was second to Governor Cuomo's reelection campaign. Among the goals of the campaign is to surpass 50,000 votes, which would give the Libertarian Party of New York automatic ballot access in New York state. In 2014, the party's gubernatorial candidate Warren Redlich received 48,359 votes. In 2016, Libertarian Party presidential nominee Gary Johnson received over 176,000 votes in New York.[13]

Endorsements for Larry Sharpe
U.S. Governors
U.S. municipal legislators
Other politicians
Television and radio personalities
Commentators, writers, and columnists
Musicians and artists
Athletes and sports figures
Social and political activists
  • Matthew Kolken, immigration lawyer and elected member of the AILA Board of Directors[33]
Organizations

Political positions

Sharpe supports reducing regulations such as occupational licensing, as well as legalizing marijuana and decriminalizing other drugs.[39] Sharpe also wants to raise revenue for New York by selling naming rights to bridges and highways.[40]

Abortion

Sharpe considers himself "pro-choice" as well as "anti-abortion". He has vowed to reduce the number of abortions in New York state by increasing availability of other options, instead of instituting regulations on abortion.[41]

Criminal justice

Sharpe favors marijuana legalization, calling for hemp and marijuana to be "regulated like onions".[42]

Sharpe has said he would pardon those convicted of victimless crimes or otherwise non-violent offenses.[43] Pardoning those convicted under the NY SAFE Act has been one of his main campaign focuses.[44]

Economy

Sharpe has called for finding other outlets to generate government revenue, pointing to companies, allowing them to purchase naming rights to bridges and other infrastructure in the state that would then be maintained and managed by those companies.[45] Sharpe has supported deregulation to stimulate economic growth, ending the funding of enforcement of unnecessary regulations. In particular, Sharpe has cited occupational licensing as a hurdle to small business, describing mandatory licensing for jobs such as barbers and dog walkers as "barriers to entry and a tax on the poor."[44] Additionally, to reduce the state deficit, Sharpe has called for eliminating unfunded mandates.[46] Sharpe has vowed to follow this reduction in state spending with a reduction in property taxes and the ultimate repeal of the New York state income tax.[47][48]

Education

Campaigning in New York state, Sharpe has called for the decentralization of education and has proposed a "K-10" model, reducing the span of high school to ready students for the workforce and/or college.[49][42] Sharpe has also rejected standardized testing until high school.[49] He stated, "everyone should be able to opt out of testing at any time....it puts kids who have special needs at a huge disadvantage. Kids who do not test well are labeled as dumb."[50]

Additionally, Sharpe has stated he would refuse federal grants for education. He would also abolish the Board of Regents.[51]

Gun laws

Sharpe has vowed to repeal the NY SAFE Act by 2020 and pardon those convicted under its provisions.[44]

Sharpe supports allowing school teachers and staff to carry firearms on school grounds, if they want to.[52]

Personal life

Sharpe lives with his wife Georgia and their two children in Queens, New York.[3][53]

Electoral history

Libertarian National Convention Vice Presidential vote, 2016 – 1st Ballot[8]
Candidate First Ballot Percentage
Bill Weld 426 49.0%
Larry Sharpe 264 30.4%
William Coley 93 10.7%
Derrick Grayson 48 5.5%
Alicia Dearn 29 3.3%
None of the above 6 0.7%
Daniel Hogan (Write-in) 1 0.1%
Austin Petersen (Write-in) 1 0.1%
Gary Johnson (Write-in) 1 0.1%
Totals 869 100%
Libertarian National Convention Vice Presidential vote, 2016 – 2nd Ballot[8]
Candidate Second Ballot Percentage
Bill Weld 441 50.6%
Larry Sharpe 409 46.9%
None of the above 12 1.4%
Derrick Grayson 9 1.0%
Mark Stewart (Write-in) 1 0.1%
Totals 872 100%

References

  1. 1 2 Doherty, Brian "Meet the Libertarian Party's VP Candidates", Reason, May 28, 2016, retrieved December 3, 2016
  2. 1 2 Libertarian Party, Larry Sharpe, Libertarian Party, retrieved December 3, 2016
  3. 1 2 Meet Larry Sharpe, Larry Sharpe for Governor, retrieved 13 August 2018
  4. ↑ Sharpe, Larry. "Issues". Sharpe4VP. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  5. ↑ "Neo-Sage Forum". www.neo-sage-forum.com. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  6. ↑ Welch, Matt "Selling Liberty", Reason, February 2018, retrieved 19 January 2018
  7. ↑ Doherty, Brian (7 February 2018), "Larry Sharpe, Libertarian Candidate for Governor of New York, Quits the Party's National Committee", Reason, retrieved 20 February 2018
  8. 1 2 3 "Will Coley drops out and endorses Sharpe for LP VP". C-SPAN. 29 May 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  9. ↑ "Here's What Happened at the Libertarian National Convention".
  10. ↑ Lyman, Andy (4 June 2016). "Naked candidates, frosty delegates and choosing a candidate: The quest for the White House". NM Political Report. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  11. ↑ Spector, Joseph (December 12, 2017). "Kolb becomes first Republican to officially announce run against Cuomo". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  12. ↑ "LPNY Holds 46th Annual Convention; Larry Sharpe Nominated for Governor - Libertarian Party of New York". Lpnewyork.org. 22 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  13. ↑ Mahoney, Bill (January 25, 2018). "A New York rarity: A serious Libertarian candidate". Politico. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Gary Johnson Endorses Larry Sharpe for NY Governor". October 26, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Governor Bill Weld Endorses Larry Sharpe for Governor of New York at SFL Conference". TheJackNews. November 6, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  16. ↑ Goodale, Steve (July 17, 2018). "Brooke Harris becomes first elected NY GOP official to endorse Larry Sharpe for governor". News Growl. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  17. ↑ Bowden, Craig (February 3, 2018). "ENDORSEMENT – LARRY SHARPE". Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Joseph Byrne". Facebook.com. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  19. ↑ "Michelle Darnell". Facebook.com. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Michael McDermott". Facebook.com. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  22. ↑ "Austin Petersen on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  23. ↑ "Stevan Porter on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  24. ↑ "Tosone4Congress on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  25. ↑ "Wildstar Endorses Larry Sharpe For Governor". September 19, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Shannon Joy". Facebook.com. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  27. ↑ "Best of the Program with Larry Sharpe - 10/1/18 - Glenn Beck - Omny.fm". Omny.fm. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  28. ↑ Confer, Bob (September 19, 2018). "CONFER: The sharpest candidate for governor". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Jeremy "Spartacus" Frankel on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  30. ↑ "Eric July on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  31. ↑ https://twitter.com/WalkWithGerald/status/1050916223607816192
  32. ↑ "Aron Price on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  33. ↑ "Matthew Kolken on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  34. ↑ "Dear New York: Elect Larry Sharpe - 71 Republic". 71republic.com. 3 June 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  35. ↑ "Apologies to Our Republican, Libertarian and Independent Supporters". Mailchi.mp. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  36. ↑ "Monroe County Libertarian Party". Facebook.com. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  37. ↑ Kolstee, Andrew (April 10, 2018). "Onondaga LP Chapter Endorses Candidates, Elects Officers". Libertarian Party of New York. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  38. ↑ "OtsegoCountyLibertarians on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  39. ↑ Willis, Scott, Liam McMonagle, and Chris Bolt (February 19, 2018). "Libertarian Candidate for Gov: I have Solutions to Problems that Two Party System Can't Solve". WAER. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  40. ↑ "Larry Sharpe expected to receive Libertarian Party endorsement for Governor". Binghamton Homepage. March 20, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  41. ↑ Mack, Megan; Dawson, Evan (September 14, 2018). "Coming up on Connections: Friday, September 14". WXXI News. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  42. 1 2 Reynolds, Nick (July 6, 2018). "Libertarian candidate for Governor Larry Sharpe visits Tompkins County". Ithaca.com. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  43. ↑ Willis, Scott; McMonagle, Liam; Bolt, Chris (February 19, 2018). "Libertarian Candidate for Gov: I have Solutions to Problems that Two Party System Can't Solve". WAER 88.3. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  44. 1 2 3 Crowley, Peter (July 7, 2018). "Sharpe seeks a less paternal government". Adirondack Daily Enterprise. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  45. ↑ Consorte, Dennis (February 14, 2018). "Candidate for Governor, Larry Sharpe Launches SharpeCoin, Resolves to Bring Blockchain Back to NY After BitLicense Exodus". Cryptosumer. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  46. ↑ Mooney, Cody (August 12, 2018). "Larry Sharpe Makes a Stop in Little Falls". WKTV. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  47. ↑ Kendrick, Jim (May 8, 2018). "Governor candidate Larry Sharpe shares appeal in area visit". Livingston County News. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  48. ↑ Harding, Robert (June 17, 2018). "Eye on NY: Larry Sharpe, Libertarian candidate for NY governor, brings message to Auburn". auburnpub.com. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  49. 1 2 Mahan, Lori (August 23, 2018). "Let Teachers Teach with New York State Governor Candidate Larry Sharpe". Saratoga Today. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  50. ↑ Silberstein, Rachel (May 2, 2018). "3 third-party candidates for governor to watch". Albany Times Union. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  51. ↑ Baker, Chris (September 17, 2018). "Legal weed and decentralized education: Can a Libertarian win NY's gov race?". Syracuse.com. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  52. ↑ Wallace, Lexie (June 13, 2018). "NY Gov long shot Larry Sharpe visits Oswego". Oswego County News Now. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  53. ↑ "Sharpe mounts campaign to challenge Cuomo". Retrieved 10 August 2018.
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