(Headline USA) The Libertarian Party on Sunday nominated party activist Chase Oliver for president, rejecting former President Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after they each spoke at the party’s convention.
Oliver is an activist from Atlanta who previously ran for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House from Georgia. His campaign website calls for major cuts to the federal budget with an eye toward balancing the budget, the abolition of the death penalty, and the closure of all overseas military bases and ending of military support to Israel and Ukraine.
Although Oliver has long been the favored candidate among the diverse and extensive pool of Libertarian contenders, his selection was nonetheless ridiculed by several social-media influencers who doubted he was a serious candidate.
This is the Libertarian pick for President. He’s pro vax and mask mandates, pro d*ag for kids, sees nothing wrong with men in women’s sports, and advocated for open borders. pic.twitter.com/oTiwzgFNQE
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 27, 2024
LIBERTARIANS: By nominating Chase Oliver the LP just alienated every Silicon Valley libertarian I know. Their presidential nominee supports:
– Transitioning children
– Mask & Vax mandates
– Men in women’s sports
– Open borders pic.twitter.com/gdds7SGpY3— @amuse (@amuse) May 27, 2024
Third parties have rarely been competitive in U.S. presidential elections and the Libertarian candidate four years ago won 1% of the vote.
But the party’s decision is getting more attention this year due to the rematch between Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden, which could hinge again on small vote margins in a handful of contested states.
“We did it! I am officially the presidential nominee,” Oliver posted Sunday on X, formerly Twitter. “It’s time to unify and move forward for liberty.”
We did it! I am officially the presidential nominee. But the work is not done, please help me nominate my running mate @terMaatMike . There is no better unifying ticket in this party than this one. It’s time to unify and move forward for liberty. pic.twitter.com/0vFMmvmXa1
— Chase Oliver (@ChaseForLiberty) May 27, 2024
Trump appeared Saturday night in Washington at the convention to give a speech that received mixed reaction from the third-party stalwarts in the room.
However, his Republican allies on Sunday praised him for choosing to go before an unfriendly crowd, potentially showing would-be libertarian voters at home that he can make a strong case for winning their vote, even as the party’s hardcore devotees throw theirs away..
Kennedy got a friendlier reception when he spoke on Friday and attacked both Trump and Biden for how they addressed the COVID-19 pandemic.
He had talked up his support for the Libertarians and an endorsement could have helped him expedite the process of gaining ballot access in all 50 states, perhaps the biggest hurdle he faces in qualifying for the first presidential debate in June hosted by CNN.
Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press
