For all of the Sentinel coverage on Portland businessman and Presidential hopeful Mike Jingozian go to Libertarians Gone Wild on this site.

After 2 years of campaigning and over $300K of his own money, Mike Jingozian did not walk away from last weekend's Libertarian Party Convention empty handed. Jingozian was elected  Vice Chair of the Libertarian Party early yesterday (Monday, May 27th).  He won in a relative landslide 65-35 vote against incumbent Chuck Moulton who was elected in 2006.

Jingozian was endorse by outgoing presidential candidate Mike Gravel who spoke before the delegation; describing Jingozian as 'a class act' who possessed 'integrity' and whom represented the 'future of the party'.

With new comers Wayne Allyn Root and former Congressman (R) Bob Barr weighing the presidential ticket to the right, the party may indeed be looking for a new leader for the left wing of the party.

"Kubby only lost to Root by 30 votes," said Jingozian, speaking of left wing marijuana activist Steve Kubby's failed VP bid, in a phone interview this morning.  "That shows that there was a strong desire to balance the ticket out with both wings of the party."

Jingozian seemed to have impressed many at the convention with his conviction, speaking ability, business credentials and new technology experience.  Jingozian claimed delegates were lined up along the main stage to nominate him as vice chair.  Jingozian also claimed that his opponent, Moulton, was 'booed' by delegates when Moulton brought up Jingozians lack of political experience.

"We had a party meeting, at 2pm yesterday," stated Jingozian."The chair left at four and put me in charge. I've never even been to one of these meetings. I don't even know Roberts Rules of Order."

It appears that Jingozian, who is still in Denver, will go home with some piece of the brass ring, and he is position in the leadership at a time when it appears the party will make large gains in its national exposure. "I'm an insider now."

Jingozians plans a prudent approach to his future in the party. He does see a need for a more balanced ticket in the future but plans no sweeping initiatives of his own at the moment.

"I was thinking we should put a political cartoon in the newsletter."