2024 Libertarians
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Give me Liberty
Rodger Williamson
While the recent Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire Primary coverage focused on the Democratic and Republican two-party duopoly, the Libertarian Party also held precinct caucuses in Iowa, with candidate Chase Oliver winning 40.7% of the vote. Michael Rectenwald finished second with 17.44% of the vote, while Michael ter Maat and Joshua Smith tied for third with 13.95% of the vote each.
If you’re not on top of who the Libertarian candidates are:
– Chase Oliver is a 38-year-old from Georgia. Oliver is a Libertarian activist, sales account executive and HR representative. Known for his prominent role within the Libertarian Party, he has been described by “Rolling Stone” magazine as “…the most influential Libertarian in America.” Oliver is a passionate advocate for individual rights and is against the growing power of the state (federal and state government). He worked in the restaurant business for 13 years before delving into politics in 2020 as the Libertarian nominee for the 2020 Georgia’s 5th Congressional District special election. In 2022, Oliver secured the Libertarian nomination for the U.S. Senate election in Georgia, challenging incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker. He was acknowledged for potentially influencing the election into a runoff between Warnock and Walker. Oliver refrained from endorsing either candidate in the runoff.
– Joshua Smith is a 40-year-old from Iowa. Smith is a Libertarian activist and podcast host known for his show, “Break the Cycle.” He has been involved in the liberty movement since 2008, inspired by activists and authors such as Ron Paul, Murray Rothbard, F. A. Hayek, and Henry Hazlitt.
– Lars Mapstead is a 54-year-old from California. Mapstead is a tech entrepreneur who found and co-found multiple companies, including FriendFinder Networks, Fupa Games and Legendary Speed.
– Mike ter Maat is 62 years old and from Florida. He earned a B.S. in aeronautical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1982, an M.B.A. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1983 and a Ph.D. in economics from George Washington University in 1992. Ter Maat’s career experience includes working as a police officer in Broward County, Florida, an economist and an economics professor.
– Michael Rectenwald is 64 years old and from Pennsylvania. He is the author of twelve books. Rectenwald was a professor of liberal studies and global liberal studies at NYU from 2008 to 2019. He also taught at Duke University, North Carolina Central University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Case Western Reserve University. Rectenwald is a champion of liberty and opposes all forms of totalitarianism and political authoritarianism, including socialism-communism, “social justice,” fascism, political correctness, and “woke” ideology.
– Art Olivier is 66 years old and from California. He is the former mayor of Bellflower, California, and was the Libertarian candidate for vice president in the United States presidential election in 2000 as the running mate of presidential candidate Harry Browne. Olivier is a graduate of Cerritos College with a degree in design technology. Olivier served as a councilman (1994–1997), mayor pro tempore (1997–1998) and mayor (1998–1999) of Bellflower, a Los Angeles suburb with 77,000 residents. During his five years on the City Council (1994–99), Olivier privatized the city’s tree trimming, crossing guards, street sweeping, and the Building Department. He eliminated the city’s lighting tax assessment and did not allow eminent domain to be exercised while on council.
– Jacob Hornberger is a 73-year-old Virginian, attorney, author, and politician. He is the founder and president of the “Future of Freedom Foundation.” He was a candidate for the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination in 2000, as well as a candidate for the U.S. Senate election in Virginia in 2002. In April 2019, Hornberger was seen as a possible 2020 candidate for the Libertarian nomination. On October 23, 2019, he filed to run for the Libertarian Party 2020 presidential primary. Though Hornberger won the most primaries and received the most votes, eventually Jo Jorgensen of South Carolina was chosen as the party’s presidential nominee on the night of May 23, 2020, after four rounds of voting.
The Libertarian Party of Alabama will hold its State Convention from February 2-4, with the Alabama Libertarian Presidential Debate on Saturday, February 3, at Bald Rock Lodge on Mt. Cheaha, in Delta. Admission pricing info can be found at https://convention.lpalabama.org.