Party of One Redux
By a unanimous vote, former Republican now Libertarian City-County Councilor Ed Coleman, was stripped today of his committee assignments. Coleman switched parties a couple weeks ago saying he was dissatisfied with his fellow Republicans.
He served on the Rules Committee and the Economic Development Committee. He is being replaced by Barb Malone and Ryan Vaughn, respectively. Councilors said the rules don’t allow for third parties, just majority and minority parties.
Public testimony was not allowed, however Coleman was eventually allowed to speak on his own behalf, saying that Libertarians are a legitimate party in Indiana and have ballot access. He also questioned what was the point of a third party running for the Council if they could not get a committee assignment. He also promised to put out a press release accusing the GOP of being bullies.
For the record, Council rules do not make distinctions among Republicans, Democrats or Libertarians, simply majority and minority parties. Nor is any Council member entitled to a committee assignment. Republicans also say Indiana usually defines minority parties on legislative bodies as the minority party with the most members when there is more than one minority party on a governing board.
