Gary Johnson Looks Like A Viable Candidate This Cycle
Gary Johnson is in.
Libertarian and former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson has announced his 2016 presidential candidacy. Johnson was a registered Republican during his two terms as governor before earning the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination in 2012, getting 1,275,923 total votes. Johnson had until recently been working for a startup selling marijuana products.
Gary Johnson
In this election cycle, the “vote for this candidate is really a vote for that candidate” argument is not popular so why not? A vote for Johnson is a vote for Johnson. If he doesn’t win, then maybe a libertarian will win the next time. Or the next time. Or the time after that. There is no reason to give up on your vision of the country where we have an actual choice. One shouldn’t vote against people nor on the principle of “stealing” votes from anyone. Vote for who you think is best.
Politically, there is now a choice between Rand Paul or Gary Johnson for Libertarians. Personally. I think the two should build a coalition to increase their chances. There is even common ground with Bernie Sanders when it comes to marijuana legislation and criminal justice reform. Of course, as a Hillary Clinton supporter, I welcome any candidate that will take support from centrist and right candidates.
The Libertarian Party
Currently, the Libertarian Party isn’t on the ballot in all 50 states, but if we go by 2012, the party will be on the ballot in at least 48 states, so mathematically a Libertarian candidate can win.
This election cycle is allowing people to show their true colors and put their money where there mouth is. If Libertarians don’t vote Libertarian, they lose ballot access. That’s one reason the party isn’t supporting Rand Paul. 2012 resulted in a huge turnout which gave the party ballot access and extra funding. This is why if one is a Libertarian, it’s literally a matter of survival in voting for a Libertarian at this point.
