Meet Chase Oliver, the presidential nominee you’ve never heard of – NPR
In this file photo from 2022, Libertarian Chase Oliver, then a candidate for Georgia's U.S. Senate seat, listens during a debate in Atlanta, Ga. The Libertarian Party nominated party activist Oliver for president as the party's candidate in the 2024 election, rejecting former President Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after they each spoke at the party's convention. (AP Photo/Ben Gray, File) Ben Gray/AP hide caption
PORTLAND, Maine For voters who aren't excited about a rematch between President Biden and former President Donald Trump, Libertarian presidential nominee Chase Olivers pitch is strikingly simple.
I'm under the age of 80, I speak in complete sentences, I'm not a convicted felon, he says on the campaign trail. It's a very low bar, but I've managed to clear that.
Oliver is 39, an anti-war activist and the new public face of the Libertarian Party, the countrys third largest political party and one that could influence who wins the White House in November.
Hes not going to win the election, but thats not his only measure of success. Getting the party more media attention, better ballot access and more Libertarian candidates into local office is also on the docket.
There are concrete things we can do to build our party foundation up that don't require us to win the White House this November, Oliver said. And I think a lot of those things, if done correctly, will be seen as a victory in my eyes and a victory in the eyes of libertarians across the country.
In the aftermath of the chaotic Libertarian Party national convention where Oliver eventually secured the partys nomination after seven rounds of voting (winning with 60.6% against 36.6% for none of the above), his campaign schedule has seen travel across the country to boost his own name recognition and that of the party.
Libertarian presidential nominee Chase Oliver wants to grow the party's base of support, but is facing backlash from a reactionary wing of the party over differing social and cultural views. Stephen Fowler, NPR. hide caption
At a low-key campaign kickoff at a brewery east of Atlanta, Oliver told friends, family and running mate Mike ter Maat that he believes the Libertarian Party can reach a younger generation disillusioned with the current status of America.
One of the things Ive heard most is, I became a libertarian when I was a young person, he said. Right now, there are 40 million-plus Gen Z voters who are ready to hear a message outside the two-party system.
As a millennial politician, Chase Oliver has a different energy on the campaign trail than the buttoned-up Biden or meandering Trump, and is quite vocal about his ideas of what liberty means in theory and in practice.
Broadly speaking, liberty means the right and the ability to live your own life as you see fit, in peace, he said. If you're not harming someone with force, fraud, coercion, theft or violence, if you're not doing any of those bad things, your life is your life. Your body is your body. Your business is your business, and your property is your property. It's not mine, and it's not the government's.
In this 2022 photo, Libertarian challenger Chase Oliver, left, and Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., participate in a U.S. Senate debate in Atlanta on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. Republican challenger Herschel Walker was invited but did not attend. Oliver's candidacy in the race is largely responsible for forcing the two leading candidates, Warnock and Walker, to a runoff. Ben Gray/AP hide caption
Oftentimes, libertarians are seen as spoiler candidates in close races - including Oliver himself, who ran for Georgias U.S. Senate seat in 2022 and helped force incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock into a runoff against Republican Herschel Walker.
Still, Oliver wants the party to grow up, and grow into something thats appealing to a larger swathe of people.
Its a golden opportunity with Donald Trump versus Joe Biden 2.0, voters are looking for something different, and in particular, they're looking for younger voices to rise up and really start speaking up in our political system, he said.
But the Libertarian Party is having an identity crisis, exacerbated by Olivers own identity.
Oliver is gay, and his support for gay rights including issues that affect transgender people has widened an existing rift within the party.
I don't run as just the gay candidate, but it is certainly a part of my identity, he said. It's something I am not ashamed of being. I'm proud of being who I am and living as my authentic self, and so I'm just hoping to inspire other people to live as their authentic selves.
Chase Oliver is gay, and his support for LGBT rights has led several state parties to oppose his selection as the Libertarian presidential nominee. Stephen Fowler, NPR. hide caption
At the Portland, Maine pride festival earlier this month, Oliver took breaks from waving an American flag bedecked in marijuana leaves and rainbow stripes to hand out campaign literature, practice his stump speech and shoot the breeze on ballot access with a canvasser for a rival campaign.
So Maine and Alaska are two states where people dont have to fear the spoiler effect, he said. One of the reasons why I'm here in Maine and one of the reasons why I want to be going up to Alaska is to let voters know, Hey, you can put me first and don't worry about it, you put your lesser of two evils next.'
But some in the party see Oliver's viewpoints and selection as the nominee as the greater evil.
Oliver is a more traditional libertarian aligned with the Classical Liberal caucus, as it's known. Theres a growing wing of the party the Mises Caucus that has decidedly non-Libertarian views on social and cultural issues.
The Mises Caucus is a more hardline, edgy and sometimes inflammatory take on libertarianism that is more compatible with the Republican Party under Trump which is partly why the former president spoke at the partys convention this year.
Trump suggested the Libertarian Party back his campaign, instead.
You know, only [back me] if you want to win, he said to boos and jeers from the audience. If you want to lose, don't do that. Keep getting your 3% every four years.
Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump salutes to the audience after addressing the Libertarian Party National Convention on May 25 in Washington, D.C. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption
Historically, Libertarian candidates have pulled more voters from Republican candidates, though this time some are explicitly seeking the opposite.
That includes Libertarian Party Chair Angela McArdle, who has said explicitly she endorses Chase Oliver as a vehicle for Trumps victory.
Donald Trump said he's going to put a libertarian in a cabinet position, she said in a recent social media livestream. He came out and spoke to us. He said he's a libertarian. He has basically endorsed us. And so in return, I endorse Chase Oliver as the best way to beat Joe Biden."
She quipped: "Get in, loser. We are stopping Biden.
Oliver remains an optimist, and amidst the vitriol is still convinced theres a pathway to reconciliation over a shared view of liberty.
He dismissed some of the homophobia and opposition to his campaign as loud voices in the Libertarian Party who arent representative of the partys voters as a whole.
Oliver also declined to speak ill of the Mises Caucus or their beliefs.
Honestly, I'm hoping to heal the divide in the party so that we can have more of them involved in this process of this campaign, he said contemplatively. I will continue to extend my hand, even if some people might want to smack it away. And I have to continue that work to try to heal the divide within our party.
So far, four state parties have publicly denounced Olivers nomination to differing degrees: Montana, Colorado, New Hampshire and Idaho. In the swing states that will decide the election, though, and where margins really matter, hes their guy.
See original here:
Meet Chase Oliver, the presidential nominee you've never heard of - NPR
- Libertarian candidates for Congress will not be on Iowa ballots after final court decision - KCRG - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian Party appeals to Supreme Court to have names on ballot - WHO TV 13 Des Moines News & Weather - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- Newscast 9.12.2024: Libertarian congressional nominees won't be on Iowa ballots; College enrollments up at all 3 Iowa public universities &... - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- Libertarian will run write-in campaign - Southeast Iowa Union - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- New IMF chief negotiators leave Libertarian gov't reassessing the turf - MercoPress - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- Meet the gay, gun-toting libertarian whos giving Trump a run for his money in swing states - Reckon - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Libertarian candidates for Congress will not be on Iowa ballots after final court decision - WOWT - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian Congressional candidates say the race isnt over - KCRG - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Iowa Supreme Court: Libertarian candidates for Congress wont be on the ballot - The Gazette - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Libertarian candidates for Congress will be left off Iowa ballots after final court decision - Houston Chronicle - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Chase Oliver seeks to build Libertarian Party through White House run, targeting ballot access wins - 11Alive.com WXIA - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Iowa Supreme Court rules that Libertarian candidates can be kept off the ballot - The Center Square - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Libertarian candidates for Congress will be left off Iowa ballots after final court decision - The Caledonian-Record - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Libertarian Congressional Candidates Lose Bid To Be On Iowa Ballot - iHeart - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against putting Libertarian candidates on the ballot - ABC 6 News KAAL TV - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Iowa Supreme Court rejects Libertarian Party bid to appear on November ballot - kwwl.com - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - News-Press Now - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - The Associated Press - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa Judge Rules Against Libertarian Candidates, Keeping Their Names off the Ballot for Congress - U.S. News & World Report - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - KCCI Des Moines - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - ABC News - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - Local 5 - weareiowa.com - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- OPB Politics Now: Why Oregons Republican Party is so focused on the tiny Libertarian Party - Oregon Public Broadcasting - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Libertarian Candidate for State Treasurer Hopes to Give the People a Window into the Treasury - Arkansas Money & Politics - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - The Caledonian-Record - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa court heart arguments over Libertarian candidates ballot access - ABC 6 News KAAL TV - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - Globe Gazette - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - LocalNews8.com - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - Oil City Derrick - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Libertarian candidates argue to judge to get back on Iowa ballot. When will a ruling come? - Des Moines Register - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Libertarian candidates in Iowa fighting to place their names on the ballot - WQAD Moline - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- I want to provide an alternative to voters: Libertarian nominee Chase Oliver | The Hill - NewsNation Now - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Current Lyon County Sheriff allowed to appear on ballot as Libertarian - KCAU 9 - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Current Lyon County Sheriff allowed to appear on ballot as Libertarian - KELOLAND.com - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Judge gives Libertarian Party a court win, temporarily halting ballot certification - KGAN TV - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Hearing held for sheriff to be allowed as libertarian candidate - Dakota News Now - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian Party granted a temporary injunction on ballot approval - UI The Daily Iowan - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Libertarian Sid Daoud might be an election spoiler. He doesn't care. - Daily Inter Lake - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Libertarian candidates for US Congress removed from November ballot in Iowa - The Associated Press - August 31st, 2024 [August 31st, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian candidate confident he'll be on the ballot in November - KCRG - August 31st, 2024 [August 31st, 2024]
- Libertarian candidates for US Congress removed from November ballot in Iowa - Globe Gazette - August 31st, 2024 [August 31st, 2024]
- Chase Oliver on His Libertarian Party Presidential Bid - C-SPAN - August 29th, 2024 [August 29th, 2024]
- State objection panel votes to remove Libertarian candidates off the ballot - KGAN TV - August 29th, 2024 [August 29th, 2024]
- In 2-1 vote, state objection panel votes to remove Libertarian candidates off the ballot - KGAN TV - August 29th, 2024 [August 29th, 2024]
- Pavel Durov, the libertarian 'Robin Hood' of the Russian Web - Le Monde - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Liberland: A libertarian blueprint for the future of governance - The Times of India - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Libertarian candidate for governor to visit the Tri-State - Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW) - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Libertarian Nominee Chase Oliver to RFK Jr: If You Were Worried About Being a Spoiler, Why'd You Run? - IVN - Independent Voter News - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- The Impatient Libertarian: A New Book from The Man Down Under - Foundation for Economic Education - August 18th, 2024 [August 18th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian candidate for Congress ready to fight ballot access objection - KWQC - August 18th, 2024 [August 18th, 2024]
- Montanas Libertarian candidate for Senate says GOP is a sending message to drop out - KUOW News and Information - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- Libertarian Chase Oliver wants the federal government to spend less and let people make their own decisions - Iowa Public Radio - August 14th, 2024 [August 14th, 2024]
- Rising influence of Libertarian PACs and dark money transforms Wyoming's legislative races - Wyoming Tribune - August 14th, 2024 [August 14th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian candidate for Congress ready to fight ballot access objection - WOWT - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian candidate for Congress ready to fight ballot access objection - KYOU - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian candidate for Congress ready to fight ballot access objection - KCRG - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Libertarians in a Quandry Does the State, or the National Organization get to Name their Presidential Pick on the Colorado Ballot? - The Ark Valley... - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- Libertarians Back Florida Cannabis Legalization, $5M From Hemp Execs To GOP: Green Waves In Red States - Benzinga - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- Kennedy campaign says they have 30,000 signatures more than enough to make the Colorado ballot - Colorado Public Radio - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- Trump's Veep: Better Burgum Than Vance or Rubio - Reason - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- Libertarians in standoff over presidential ticket in Colorado; divided Republicans plan dueling meetings over Dave Williams; Social Security can be... - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will appear on the Colorado ballot under the Libertarian party - Colorado Public Radio - July 6th, 2024 [July 6th, 2024]
- Libertarian party vice presidential candidate wants to be 'disruptor' in November election Oklahoma Voice - Oklahoma Voice - July 6th, 2024 [July 6th, 2024]
- How the Libertarian Party Lost Its Way - Reason - June 30th, 2024 [June 30th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian Party condemns IUB verdict on eminent domain for private pipeline - Globe Gazette - June 30th, 2024 [June 30th, 2024]
- Opinion | What Chase Oliver, the 2024 Libertarian Candidate, Believes - The New York Times - June 24th, 2024 [June 24th, 2024]
- It Didn't Start With Trump...or Libertarians - Reason - June 24th, 2024 [June 24th, 2024]
- David Boaz, leading voice of libertarianism, dies at 70 - The Boston Globe - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- David Boaz, a Leading Voice of Libertarianism, Dies at 70 - The New York Times - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- INTERVIEW: 1-on-1 with Chase Oliver, 2024 Libertarian presidential nominee and a Georgia resident - Connect Savannah.com - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- I'm a libertarian but the party has turned into a joke - New York Post - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- Libertarians Gather to Protest Nashua's Pine Tree Flag Ban - NH Journal - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- Libertarian announces bid for Congress in Southeast Iowa - The Gazette - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- David Boaz, 19532024 - by Tim Miller - The Bulwark - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- David Boaz, leading voice of libertarianism, dies at 70 - The Washington Post - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- Libertarian Party names presidential nominee as RFK Jr crashes out of race and Trump fails to qualify - Yahoo News Canada - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- Showdown at the Libertarian Convention - The American Conservative - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- Will the Trumpification of the Libertarian Party Actually Hurt Donald Trump? - The Dispatch - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- 'The Zionists Always Get Their Way': Libertarian Party of Michigan Posts Antisemitic Cartoon Depicting Jews as Puppet ... - Algemeiner - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- How FreedomWorks Paved the Way for Trumpismand for Its Own Demise - The New Republic - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]