After blatantly rejecting former presidents Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at its convention, the Libertarian Party elected party activist Chase Oliver as president.
After four days of melodramatic showdowns, the convention saw both Donald J. Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. try and win the party’s support, but both failed.
Who is Chase Oliver?
Chase Oliver, an openly gay former Democrat, is a rising star within the Libertarian Party, having made headlines in 2022 for forcing a runoff election for the U.S. Senate in Georgia and demonstrating his ability to rally support from a diverse electorate.
The Atlanta-based activist previously ran for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives from Georgia. His campaign calls for significant cuts to the federal budget in order to balance the budget. He also calls for an end to the death penalty, the closure of overseas military bases, and an end to military aid to Israel and Ukraine.
What are the chances that the Libertarian Party will win?
The Libertarian Party, known for its strong advocacy of individual liberty and limited government power, is one of the most prominent minority political parties in the U.S. Party candidates are guaranteed to appear on the November ballot in at least 37 states, a number that is expected to grow in the coming months.
But third parties have rarely been competitive in binary races in U.S. presidential elections: Four years ago, the Libertarian Party candidate received just 1% of the vote.
Under Oliver’s leadership, the Libertarian Party aims to present a united front around the party’s core principles of freedom and minimal government intervention, and his leadership will be crucial in garnering support and navigating the complexities of the American political landscape as the 2024 election approaches.
Oliver’s journey to the nomination was tense, taking more than seven hours and seven elimination votes. With more than a third of the final voters voting “none of the above,” it looked at one point like the party might end up with no candidate. Party chair Angela McArdle highlighted the dire consequences of not nominating a candidate, which would jeopardize voting rights in many states.
In his acceptance speech, Oliver, 38, who describes himself as a “militant gay man,” vowed to unify the party and expand its influence across the U.S. He outlined his vision for ending the “genocide in Gaza,” abolishing the Federal Reserve and abolishing taxation that he calls “theft.”
“Here’s the elevator pitch, guys,” Oliver declared. “If you’re living in peace, your life is your life, your body is your body, your work is your work.”
