Larry Sharpe (politician)

Larry David Sharpe (born July 12, 1968) is an American business consultant, entrepreneur, political activist, internet broadcaster, and candidate for the 2020 Libertarian vice presidential nomination. He was a candidate for the Libertarian Party nomination for Vice President of the United States in 2016, losing narrowly to former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld. Sharpe was also the Libertarian nominee for Governor of New York in the 2018 gubernatorial election. Sharpe is the founder and managing director of the online business training company Neo-Sage Group, Inc.

Larry Sharpe
Born	(1968-07-12) July 12, 1968 New York, New York, U.S.
Education	University of Maryland University College (B.A.)
Occupation	Business consultant
Known for	2018 Libertarian Party candidate for Governor of New York 2016 Libertarian Party vice presidential candidate
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	larrysharpe.com

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, serving from 1986 to 1993.[1] He received a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from the University of Maryland University College.[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] for which he 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 made by Vohra.[7]

2016 vice presidential campaign

Main article: 2016 Libertarian National Convention § Vice presidential delegate count

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.[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 Andrew Cuomo's re-election campaign.[13] As of October 10, 2018, Sharpe raised $449,515 for his campaign, the highest amount ever raised by a Libertarian gubernatorial candidate in New York. Sharpe in addition was the only candidate in the race to have visited all 62 counties on the campaign trail.[14]

On Election Day, Sharpe received 95,033 votes (1.6%) and came in fourth place behind Cuomo, Republican challenger Marc Molinaro, and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins. Sharpe's vote total achieved automatic ballot access for the Libertarian Party of New York for the first time in the party's history.[15]

Endorsements

U.S. Governors Gary Johnson, former Governor of New Mexico and Libertarian Party presidential nominee in 2012 and 2016[16] William Weld, former Governor of Massachusetts and Libertarian Party vice-presidential nominee in 2016[17] U.S. municipal legislators William Brooke Harris, Republican Allegany County legislator[18] Other politicians Craig Bowden, 2018 Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate from Utah[19] Joseph Byrne, Trustee on the Valley Central School District Board of Education[20] Michelle Darnell, 2017 Libertarian candidate for Washington state representative[21] Dale Kerns, 2018 Libertarian candidate for Pennsylvania Senator Michael McDermott, 2014 Libertarian nominee for Governor of New York[22] Austin Petersen, 2018 Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Missouri and 2016 Libertarian candidate for President of the United States[23] Stevan Porter, 2018 Libertarian candidate for Virginia's 11th congressional district[24] James Tosone, 2018 Libertarian nominee for United States Congress, New Jersey District 5[25] James Rosenbeck, chairman of the Libertarian Party of New York[26] Nickolas Wildstar, 2018 Libertarian candidate for Governor of California[27] Television and radio personalities Glenn Beck, conservative political commentator and radio host at TheBlaze[28] Shannon Joy, WYSL radio host[29] Joanne Nosuchinsky, 2013 Miss New York USA and co-host of Mornin'!!! with Bill Schulz[30] Evan Roberts, sports radio talk personality and co-host of Joe & Evan[31] Joe Rogan, comedian, mixed martial arts color commentator, podcast host, and businessman[32] Dave Rubin, political commentator and talk show host, creator and host of The Rubin Report[33] Bill Schulz, journalist, television personality and host of Mornin'!!! with Bill Schulz[34] Katherine Timpf, comedian, reporter and Fox News television personality[35] Commentators, writers, and columnists Bob Confer, columnist for the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal and the Niagara Gazette[36] Jeremy Frankel, writer for The Daily Wire[37] John Stossel, author, journalist and libertarian news commentator[38] Matt Welch, journalist at Reason[39] Musicians and artists Gerald Walker, hip-hop musician[40] Athletes and sports figures Aron Price, professional golfer[41] Social and political activists Matthew Kolken, immigration lawyer and elected member of the AILA board of directors[42] Organizations 71Republic[43] Libertarian Youth Caucus[44] Marijuana Reform Party of New York state[45] Monroe County Libertarian Party[46] Onondaga County Libertarian Party[47] Otsego County Libertarian Party[48]

Post-campaign activities

Following the 2018 election, Sharpe continued speaking tours across New York State.[49] In 2019, he launched The Sharpe Way, an online talk show.[50]

2020 vice-presidential campaign

On April 13, 2020 it was announced that Sharpe would again seek the Libertarian Party's nomination for Vice President, as the running mate of 2012 Libertarian vice-presidential nominee Judge Jim Gray.[51] After Gray was eliminated during convention presidential balloting, Sharpe withdrew from the race.

Political positions

Sharpe supports reducing regulations such as occupational licensing as well as legalizing marijuana and decriminalizing other drugs.[52] Sharpe has advocated for raising revenue for New York by selling naming rights to bridges and highways.[53]

Abortion

Sharpe considers himself "pro-choice" as well as "anti-abortion". While running for Governor, he vowed to reduce the number of abortions in New York state by increasing availability of other options instead of establishing regulations on abortion.[54]

Criminal justice

Sharpe favors marijuana legalization, calling for hemp and marijuana to be "regulated like onions".[55] Sharpe has said he would pardon those convicted of victimless crimes or otherwise non-violent offenses.[56]

Economy

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."[57] Additionally, to reduce the state deficit, Sharpe has called for eliminating unfunded mandates.[58] He 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.[59][60]

Education

Sharpe has called for the decentralization of education in New York State and has proposed a "K-10" model, reducing the span of high school to ready students for the workforce and/or college.[55][61] Sharpe has also rejected standardized testing until high school.[61] 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."[62]

Additionally, Sharpe stated he would refuse federal grants for education. He would also abolish the Board of Regents.[63]

Gun laws

Sharpe vowed, if elected, to repeal the NY SAFE Act by 2020 and pardon those convicted under its provisions.[57] Sharpe supports allowing school teachers and staff to carry firearms on school grounds, on a voluntary basis.[64]

Personal life

Sharpe lives with his wife Georgia and their two children in Queens, New York.[3][65]

Contributions

• Barsouk, Adam; Van Staden, Martin (2019). Igniting Liberty: Voices for Freedom Around the World. Sharpe, Larry (foreword). ISBN 978-1793165039.

Electoral history

New York gubernatorial election, 2018[66]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Democratic	Andrew Cuomo	3,424,416	56.16%	+8.64%
	Working Families	Andrew Cuomo	114,478	1.88%	-1.43%
	Independence	Andrew Cuomo	68,713	1.13%	-0.91%
	Women's Equality	Andrew Cuomo	27,733	0.45%	-0.96%
	Total	Andrew Cuomo (incumbent)	3,635,340	59.62%	+5.43%
	Republican	Marc Molinaro	1,926,485	31.60%	-0.79%
	Conservative	Marc Molinaro	253,624	4.16%	-2.41%
	Reform	Marc Molinaro	27,493	0.45%	N/A
	Total	Marc Molinaro	2,207,602	36.21%	-4.10%
	Green	Howie Hawkins	103,946	1.70%	-3.14%
	Libertarian	Larry Sharpe	95,033	1.56%	+1.12%
	SAM	Stephanie Miner	55,441	0.91%	N/A
Total votes			'6,097,362'	'100.0%'	N/A
	Democratic hold

References

1. Doherty, Brian ""Meet the Libertarian Party's VP Candidates"", Reason, May 28, 2016, retrieved December 3, 2016
2. Libertarian Party, Larry Sharpe, Libertarian Party, retrieved December 3, 2016
3. Meet Larry Sharpe, Larry Sharpe for Governor, retrieved August 13, 2018
4. Sharpe, Larry. "Issues". Sharpe4VP.com. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
5. "Neo-Sage Forum". Neo-sage-forum.com. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
6. Welch, Matt ""Selling Liberty"", Reason, February 2018, retrieved January 19, 2018
7. Doherty, Brian (February 7, 2018), ""Larry Sharpe, Libertarian Candidate for Governor of New York, Quits the Party's National Committee"", Reason, retrieved February 20, 2018
8. "Will Coley drops out and endorses Sharpe for LP VP". C-SPAN. May 29, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
9. "Here's What Happened at the Libertarian National Convention".
10. Lyman, Andy (June 4, 2016). "Naked candidates, frosty delegates and choosing a candidate: The quest for the White House". NM Political Report. Retrieved January 19, 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. April 22, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
13. Mahoney, Bill (January 25, 2018). "A New York rarity: A serious Libertarian candidate". Politico. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
14. Welch, Matt (October 31, 2018). "Libertarian Larry Sharpe Has Raised a Record $450,000 in New York Governor's Race". Reason. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
15. Reyner, Solange (November 7, 2018). "Libertarian Party Gets Ballot Line in NY State". Retrieved November 11, 2018.
16. "Gary Johnson Endorses Larry Sharpe for NY Governor". October 26, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
17. "Governor Bill Weld Endorses Larry Sharpe for Governor of New York at SFL Conference". TheJackNews. November 6, 2017. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
18. 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.
19. Bowden, Craig (February 3, 2018). "ENDORSEMENT – LARRY SHARPE". Retrieved February 3, 2018.
20. "Joseph Byrne". Facebook.com. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
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26. Rosenbeck, James (October 31, 2018). "Larry Sharpe can win on election day". The Daily News. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
27. "Wildstar Endorses Larry Sharpe For Governor". September 19, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
28. "Best of the Program with Larry Sharpe – 10/1/18 – Glenn Beck – Omny.fm". Omny.fm. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
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32. "Joe Rogan Experience #1167 – Larry Sharpe". September 5, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018 – via YouTube.
33. "A Libertarian Running for Governor of New York (Larry Sharpe Full Interview)". July 13, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018 – via YouTube.
34. "Bill Schulz on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
35. "Gutfeld: Why election stress only damages the left". November 3, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018 – via YouTube.
36. Confer, Bob (September 19, 2018). "CONFER: The sharpest candidate for governor". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
37. "Jeremy "Spartacus" Frankel on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
38. Stossel, John (November 2, 2018). "John Stossel: Libertarian has sharp ideas for NY". Trib Live. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
39. "Matt Welch on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
40. "Gerald Walker on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
41. "Aron Price on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
42. "Matthew Kolken on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
43. "Dear New York: Elect Larry Sharpe – 71 Republic". 71republic.com. June 3, 2018. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
44. "Libertarian Youth Caucus". Facebook.com. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
45. "Apologies to Our Republican, Libertarian and Independent Supporters". Mailchi.mp. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
46. "Monroe County Libertarian Party". Facebook.com. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
47. Kolstee, Andrew (April 10, 2018). "Onondaga LP Chapter Endorses Candidates, Elects Officers". Libertarian Party of New York. Archived from the original on April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
48. "OtsegoCountyLibertarians on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
49. Larry Sharpe, Libertarian - Events
50. The Sharpe Way
51. Welch, Matt (April 13, 2020). "Judge Jim Gray To Seek Libertarian Presidential Nomination". Reason. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
52. 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.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
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54. Mack, Megan; Dawson, Evan (September 14, 2018). "Coming up on Connections: Friday, September 14". WXXI News. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
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57. Crowley, Peter (July 7, 2018). "Sharpe seeks a less paternal government". Adirondack Daily Enterprise. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
58. Mooney, Cody (August 12, 2018). "Larry Sharpe Makes a Stop in Little Falls". WKTV. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
59. Kendrick, Jim (May 8, 2018). "Governor candidate Larry Sharpe shares appeal in area visit". Livingston County News. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
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61. Mahan, Lori (August 23, 2018). "Let Teachers Teach with New York State Governor Candidate Larry Sharpe". Saratoga Today. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
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63. Baker, Chris (September 17, 2018). "Legal weed and decentralized education: Can a Libertarian win NY's gov race?". Syracuse.com. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
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65. "Sharpe mounts campaign to challenge Cuomo". Retrieved August 10, 2018.

External links

• Larry Sharpe for Governor
• Appearances on C-SPAN

Party political offices
Preceded by Michael McDermott	Libertarian nominee for Governor of New York 2018	Most recent