The Libertarian Party is the third-largest political party in the United States after the Democratic and Republican parties. According to the Libertarian Party's website, "Libertarians strongly oppose any government interference into their personal, family, and business decisions."[1]
The Libertarian Party was formed in 1971 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, by David Nolan. The group held its first national convention in 1972. Since its inception, the Libertarian Party has supported and fielded Libertarian candidates in races across the United States. According to the party's website, Libertarians held 202 elective offices throughout the United States as of October 31, 2019.[2]
The Libertarian Party platform is a written document that outlines the party's policy priorities and positions on domestic and foreign affairs. The platform also describes the party's core concepts and beliefs.[3]
Click here to view the full text of the 2018 Libertarian Party platform.
The following tables display the national and regional leadership of the Libertarian Party:[4]
As of October 31, 2019, the following individuals served on the Libertarian National Committee:[5]
Regional representatives are members of the Libertarian National Committee and are elected according to the rules of their respective regions. As of October 31, 2019, the following individuals held regional representative positions with the Libertarian Party:[6][7]
The Libertarian Party supported 262 candidates for federal, state, and local-level offices across the country in the 2019 election cycle.[8]
The Libertarian Party supported 973 candidates for federal, state, and local-level offices across the country in the 2018 election cycle.[9]
The following is an abbreviated list of the party's 2018 U.S. Senate candidates:
The Libertarian Party supported 89 candidates for federal, state, and local-level offices across the country in the 2017 election cycle. [10] Of these candidates 19 were elected or re-elected to public office.[11]
In 2016, the Libertarian Party nominated Gary Johnson as the party's presidential nominee and William Weld as the vice presidential nominee. The party also supported a number of federal, state, and local candidates across the country. The following is an abbreviated list of the party's 2016 U.S. Senate candidates:[12]
The Libertarian Party supported 103 state and local-level candidates in elections across the country in 2015. Of these candidates, 24 Libertarians were elected or re-elected to public office.[13]
The 'Libertarian Party supported 756 congressional, state, and local-level candidates across the country during the 2014 election cycle. An additional 20 Libertarians ran as fusion candidates and appeared on the ballot under a different or multiple party labels. Of these candidates, 23 Libertarians were elected or re-elected to public office, including seven fusion candidates.[14][15]
The Libertarian Party supported 98 congressional, state, and local-level candidates in elections across the country in 2013. An additional six Libertarians ran as fusion candidates and appeared on the ballot under different or multiple party labels. Of these candidates, 16 Libertarians were elected or re-elected to public office, including two fusion candidates.[16]
In 2012, the Libertarian Party nominated Gary Johnson as the party's presidential nominee and Jim Gray as the vice presidential nominee. Johnson and Gray captured 1,275,804 votes in the general election, nearly 1 percent of total votes cast. Johnson's 2012 vote total ranked as the highest number of votes for a Libertarian presidential candidate in history and fell just short of 1960 Libertarian presidential candidate Ed Clark's record of 1.1 percent of total votes.[17][18]
The Libertarian Party also supported 567 congressional, state, and local-level candidates across the country. Of these candidates, 30 Libertarians were elected or re-elected to public office.[19][20]
The 2018 Liberatarian National Convention took place from June 30 to July 3, 2018, in New Orleans, Louisiana. At the convention, delegates are voting on amendments to the party's platform and rules and are electing the party's national leaders.[21]
The Libertarian Party's 2016 National Convention took place in Orlando, Florida, from May 27 to May 30, 2016. The party chose former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson and former Governor of Massachusetts William Weld as its presidential and vice presidential nominees, respectively.[22][12]
Day one of the Libertarian National Convention in Orlando, Florida, featured spirited debates on both party platform planks and between four candidates vying for the vice presidential nomination. There were just under 800 credentialed delegates in attendance with Libertarian National Chair Nick Sarwark presiding over the meetings.
Six candidates garnered enough tokens, another name for secret ballots, to be eligible for nomination by the delegation. Of those, five reached the vote threshold for participating in the debate, moderated by Larry Elder and televised on CSPAN. Gary Johnson, Daryl W. Perry, Austin Petersen, John McAfee, and Marc Allan Feldman took the stage to try to earn supporters for Sunday morning's election. Introduced and brought on stage one at a time, Johnson and Petersen received the most applause, though each had a significant amount of support.
Although it took nearly eight hours from the time the first ballots for president were distributed to state delegation chairs, the Libertarian Party ended up with the odds-on favorites Gary Johnson and William Weld winning the ticket as expected. A total of 997 credentialed delegates and alternates were on hand to cast their vote. The meeting was chaired by Nicholas Sarwark, who won re-election as National Chair later in the afternoon.
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for "Libertarian + Party"
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Libertarian Party - Ballotpedia
- KISS Army horing the US Army - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Post-Election: Liberal Columnist Peter Beinart says GOP now has a "libertarian thrust" - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels goes Libertarian: Orders 10% Cut for State Agencies - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Libertarian Group calls for Apology from Obama for his insulting and inappopriate Remarks after Ft. Hood - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Now the responsibility of American Muslims is to expose the Radical Jihadists among us - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Lt. Col. Ralph Peters on Hasan, calling it like it is - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Rush County Residents Start Effort to Organize County - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Libertarian Party of Marion County Announces Second Annual Canned Food Drive - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Cato: Federal Education Results Prove the Framers Right - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Bell: If a picture is worth a thousand words, what's a word worth?... - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Maguire: How I will Vote on Wishard This Tuesday - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Contrary to Popular Belief... There IS an Election TODAY - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- That Would be Perfect: Stop the RTA - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Press Release: Libertarian Party Reaction to Voters Defeating the RTD - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- An Easy Way To Email Your Senators on Obamacare and Responsible Energy Policy - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- The Bell Curve: Oh yeah, that's a lot better... Property Tax "solution" Destroying Indiana Small Business - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Libertarian City Councilman Mark Byrne, Port Huron, MI wins endorsement of Local Paper for Reelection - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- WASHINGTON STATE: Race for King County Executive one to watch - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Closeted Republican could be elected Atlanta's next Mayor - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Obama will own a Corzine loss - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Jason Shih, Photo of Corzine Staffer busted for Drugs - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Sarah Palin blasts Biden over Energy Hypocrisy - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Murder in Arizona: Father runs over Daughter in so-called "Honor Killing," she had become "too Westernized" - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Races to Watch for Libertarian Republicans 2009 - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- HUGE NEWS OUT OF TEXAS!! Scores of Democrat County Officials Switch to Republican - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Chris Christie Wins!!! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Dedicated to Governor-Elect Chris Christie and the Citizens of the Great State of New Jersey - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Republicans win 6 new Seats in Virginia House of Delegates - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Post-Election Party Switchers from Democrat to Republican: 8 so far in Texas - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Libertarian Party Election Results: 5 Victories, 1 Heartbreaking Loss, 1 Big 2nd place finish - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Rand Paul questioned on his Libertarian ties, Father's controversial Foreign Policy views - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Libertarian "RINO" wins County Council seat in Erie, Pennsylvania - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Republicans sweep Westchester County, New York on Anti-Tax message - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- GOP Congressional candidate Alan West says Fort Hood tragedy "proof" Jihadists infiltrating our Military - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE SWITCHES TO REPUBLICAN!!! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Minnesota DFL may have a Big Problem on its hands for 2010: Lynne Torgerson - December 12th, 2009 [December 12th, 2009]
- New Poll: 39% of Israelis believe Obama is a Muslim - December 12th, 2009 [December 12th, 2009]
- Since Obama elected "Worst Year" for Homegrown Islamic Terrorism - December 12th, 2009 [December 12th, 2009]
- A Pro-Islamist President? Obama's ties to the Muslim World exposed - December 12th, 2009 [December 12th, 2009]
- Libertarian Party of Marion County Holds Holiday Party to Benefit Second Helpings - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Tippecanoe County Libertarian Party Plans to Walk in Christmas Parade - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- NRA: Bloomington, Indiana Herald-Times Treats Law-Abiding Gun Owners like Registered Sex Offenders! - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Kole Hard Facts of Life: Great Post On Copenhagen Global Warming Issues - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- SchansBlog: ClimateGate extravaganza - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Scherschel: A Letter to the Editor of the Bloomington Herald Times - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Press Release: Libertarian Party of Johnson County Wants Voters To Decide on Jail Expansion - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- LPIN HQ Seeks Interns in 2010 - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Cato: More Federal Health Care Fraud - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Indiana Election Division Releases Important 2010 Election Guides - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Mahmoud Ahmadinejad preparing Holy War against the United States - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Pro-Liberty Students in Iran Protest Against the Government - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- It's Official! Tea Party Movement founded by Libertarian Republicans and that settles it! - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Good news for Republicans against Dodd; All three GOPers come out ahead - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Massachusetts GOP: We have a candidate - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Libertarian Republican bloggers discuss Climategate, Health Care and Hot Political Races - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Panel votes against Impeachment for Libertarian Republican Gov. Mark Sanford - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Reid Senate Plan includes Individual Mandates: $750 Fine for Non-Compliance - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- OHIO: More gains in latest poll for Fiscal Conservative John Kasich - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Yet another bigtime incumbent Dem calls it quits; Rep. Brian Baird (WA) faced increasingly tough Reelection - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- RCP running average for Obama Approvals drops to 48.9% - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Sarah Palin, Ron Paul ticket 2012? Sarah on Top - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Libertarians attacked by Leftists at Welcoming Event in Copenhagen - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Baucus mistress Melodee Hanes sleeping her way to the Top - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Not the First Time Baucus has had a Sex Scandal: Harrassment Allegations back in 1999 - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Baucus "Bimbo Eruption" gains Criticism back Home; Calls for his Resignation - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Senator DeMint officially endorses Michael Williams for US Senate - Texas - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- WISCONSIN: Terri McCormick for Congress - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Nancy Pelosi as Stalin: One California Korean-American says it fits - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Abolish Medicare says Glenn Beck - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Glenn Beck on Barbara Walters: Describe my politics? "Libertarian, Maximum Freedom" - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Obama is a Muslim entering Pop Culture - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Fed Bureaucrats get big raise in Compensation: Private Sector workers grow Poorer - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Obama Administration launches Massive Assault on Financial Privacy - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Tucker Carlson to launch new Journalist Website: Promises not to "suck up" to Obama - December 14th, 2009 [December 14th, 2009]
- Michele Bachman: Time to KILL SOCIALISM! - December 14th, 2009 [December 14th, 2009]
- IDAHO: Democrat switches to Republican to run against libertarian-leaning Dem Rep. Walt Minnick - December 14th, 2009 [December 14th, 2009]
- Did the Missoulian cover up for the Max Baucus Affair? - December 14th, 2009 [December 14th, 2009]
- And now some good old-fashioned Hardcore Right-wing Punk Rock from Wyoming - December 14th, 2009 [December 14th, 2009]
- Obama's approval ratings take another dip at RCP - December 14th, 2009 [December 14th, 2009]
- Adam Andrzejewski for Illinois Governor: Deserving of Conservative and Libertarian support - December 15th, 2009 [December 15th, 2009]