We are sorry to announce that David Bergland has died at the age of 83. He had been battling prostate cancer.
Bergland was the 1984 presidential candidate of the Libertarian Party. He was also the 1976 candidate for Vice-President. He was also a Libertarian candidate for California Attorney General (1974), California State Senate (1978), and US Senator from California (1980).
Bergland was the author of Libertarianism in One Lesson.
h/t Mark Hinkle
RIP
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarian_Party_(United_States)
LP folks vs STATIST CONTROL FREAK MONSTERS (esp monarchs/oligarchs) from Hell — since Vietnam WAR.
I am sorry to hear of David Bergland’s passing. I met him in Norfolk, Virginia in 1984 at the Waterside Hotel when he made a campaign appearance there. Unfortunately, it was a hard time for the LP and we were not able to get his name on the ballot for President in Virginia. So I cast a blank ballot for that office. When I voted on Election Day the local TV news reporter interviewed me but it never aired because I explained how I could not vote for the person I wanted to and they filmed my car with a Bergland bumper sticker affixed. I appreciate his effort in the 1984 campaign that was so challenging after the 1980 Ed Clark good showing. Bergland helped keep the LP functioning during a tough time.
RIP.
The LP has lost an excellent spokesman. I had the privilege of hosting him on a campaign swing through Texas in 1982. Great on radio call in shows! Like George above I also could not vote for him in November. Unlike George I weakened and voted for brand X. RIP.
Obviously I must have time traveled above. The year was 1984 not 1982.
This is very sad news. David Bergland was a great leader who had a lot of experience, and he was the kind of man who had the time to try and pass it on to younger activists. During the heyday of the LP’s successful direct mail campaign, “Archimedes”, the LP was up to 30,000 dues-paying members–the most ever. David Bergland told me he didn’t know where critical mass was, but he thought at that time critical mass would be reached at 200,000 current members. That was exciting to hear. David Bergland gave a lot of people hope, and so sometimes I wonder how we can carry on without the David Berglands and Harry Brownes.
Scott- I don’t know either but I DO know it is NOT with the Bill Welds or Lincoln Chafees of the world. If Justin Amash decides he is a libertarian and a Libertarian he needs to do it NOW. We have far too many GOP castoffs and outright dirtbags that sully the brand.
David Bergland was the very first vote I cast in a Presidential election in 1984. Rest in power!