Current:Home > NewsLibertarians choose Chase Oliver as presidential nominee, rejecting Trump, RFK Jr. -TrueNorth Capital Hub
Libertarians choose Chase Oliver as presidential nominee, rejecting Trump, RFK Jr.
View
Date:2025-04-17 07:38:50
The Libertarian Party on Sunday chose party activist Chase Oliver as its presidential nominee, rejecting both former President Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after each spoke at the party's convention over the weekend.
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 attracting more attention this year because of the rematch between Trump and 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 celebrated in a post 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 spoke at the Libertarian convention Saturday night in Washington and was repeatedly booed by many in the room. The speech didn't pay off with the endorsement he'd requested, though Republican allies praised him for choosing to appear before an unfriendly crowd.
Kennedy received a friendlier reception when he spoke on Friday and attacked both Trump and Mr. Biden over their handling of 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.
Libertarian Party Chair Angela McArdle confirmed Kennedy had fulfilled the requirements to be the party's nominee. "Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has sought the nomination here," she told reporters. However, he was only able to muster the support of nine of the delegates, which was only 2% of the vote, and was eliminated in the first round of voting.
Trump claimed that he didn't seek the Libertarian nomination because he wasn't allowed to do so.
"The reason I didn't file paperwork for the Libertarian Nomination, which I would have absolutely gotten if I wanted it (as everyone could tell by the enthusiasm of the Crowd last night!), was the fact that, as the Republican Nominee, I am not allowed to have the Nomination of another Party," he said in a post on social media.
Libertarians prioritize small government and individual freedoms, with a mix of policy positions that fall on different parts of the political spectrum — liberal, conservative or neither.
Oliver is an activist from Atlanta who previously ran for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House from Georgia. On his campaign website, he calls for major cuts to the federal budget with a view toward balancing the budget, abolishing the death penalty, closing all overseas military bases and ending military support to Israel and Ukraine.
Allison Novelo contributed to this report.
- In:
- Joe Biden
- Elections
- Donald Trump
- Politics
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Atlanta
veryGood! (9914)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Summer Olympic Games means special food, drinks and discounts. Here's some
- How U.S. Olympic women's gymnastics team shattered age stereotype: 'Simone changed that'
- Utility regulators file complaint against natural gas company in fatal 2021 blast in Pennsylvania
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Antoine Dupont helps host country France win first gold of 2024 Olympics
- ‘A Repair Manual for the Planet’: What Would It Take to Restore Our Atmosphere?
- From hating swimming to winning 10 medals, Allison Schmitt uses life story to give advice
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- US gymnast Paul Juda came up big at Olympic qualifying. But 'coolest thing is yet to come'
Ranking
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- 3 dead, 2 critically injured after 25-foot pontoon boat capsizes on Lake Powell in northern Arizona
- Takeaways from AP’s story on inefficient tech slowing efforts to get homeless people off the streets
- US gymnast Paul Juda came up big at Olympic qualifying. But 'coolest thing is yet to come'
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Secrets About the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Straight From the Squad
- Maine launches investigation after 2 escape youth center, steal car
- Andy Murray pulls off unbelievable Olympic doubles comeback with Dan Evans
Recommendation
Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
Man sentenced to life after retrial conviction in 2012 murder of woman found in burning home
Pilot dead after helicopter crashed in upstate New York
Why Alyssa Thomas’ Olympic debut for USA Basketball is so special: 'Really proud of her'
Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
When is Olympic gymnastics on TV? Full broadcast, streaming schedule for Paris Games
Three members of family gospel group The Nelons killed in Wyoming plane crash
US men’s basketball team rolls past Serbia 110-84 in opening game at the Paris Olympics