The Libertarian Party nominated Chase Oliver for president on Sunday, rejecting former President Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who both spoke at the party’s convention.
Third parties have rarely been competitive in US presidential elections, and the Libertarian nominee received 1% of the vote four years ago. However, the party’s decision is gaining traction this year because of the rematch between Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden, which might rest on narrow vote margins in a number of contested states.
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“We did it!” “I am officially the presidential nominee,” Oliver announced Sunday on X, formerly Twitter. “It’s time to unify and move forward for liberty.”
Trump spoke at the convention in Washington on Saturday night, and many in the audience booed him repeatedly. It did not result in the endorsement he sought, but his Republican backers commended him on Sunday for choosing to appear before an unfavorable crowd.
Kennedy received a warmer reaction when he spoke on Friday, criticizing both Trump and Biden for how they handled the COVID-19 pandemic. He had already expressed his support for the Libertarians, and an endorsement may have aided him in securing ballot access in all 50 states, which is likely the most difficult hurdle he faces in qualifying for CNN’s first presidential debate in June.
Libertarians favor minimal government and individual liberty, with policy perspectives that might be classified as liberal, conservative, or neither.
Oliver is an Atlanta activist who has previously run for the United States Senate and House of Representatives from Georgia. His campaign website advocates for significant cuts to the federal budget with the goal of balancing the budget, abolishing the death penalty, closing all overseas military posts, and ceasing military support for Israel and Ukraine.
