Libertarian Party

Libertarians celebrate Johnson’s run, see a coming GOP divide

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While both New Mexico Democrats and Republicans were carefully watching national election numbers roll in on Tuesday night hoping for a win for their candidate, Gary Johnson supporters in Albuquerque were cheering for the win of getting the support of three percent of voters nationwide and nine percent in New Mexico. A few hours before Donald Trump gave an acceptance speech, the Libertarian Party nominee  and his supporters were near Old Town in Albuquerque, celebrating what was ultimately a presidential loss. But they didn’t see the showing as a loss, instead seeing the best showing for a Libertarian candidate ever. Libertarian National Committee Chair Nicholas Sarwark kept on eye on the numbers throughout the night, but seemed more concerned with his party’s numbers and less concerned with the numbers of the two candidates who finished well ahead of Johnson. Sarwark and his party also seem focused on the long game—eventually getting even footing with the two major parties—during this election cycle.

Congress & Federal Issues

Gary Johnson radio ads hit seven states

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Gary Johnson is putting some money behind ads to boost his campaign in a handful states, including his home state of New Mexico. The Libertarian Party presidential nominee, a former two-term governor of New Mexico, is airing radio ads in seven states, according to Politico. The Washington D.C.-based news organization cited “a media buying source” who said Johnson is spending over $800,000 in Colorado, Iowa, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Wisconsin. When Johnson ran as a Libertarian Party candidate in 2012, he performed best in New Mexico, taking nearly 4 percent of the overall vote. Nationwide, Johnson received just under 1 percent of the vote.

Gary Johnson

Johnson gets a New Mexico welcome at ABQ rally

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Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson stopped on his way into a rally at the Albuquerque Convention Center to see the workings of a lowrider car with hydraulics Saturday afternoon. After he watched with awe, the most logical thing happened—the presidential candidate sat in the car as the front end jumped seven feet off the ground and lurched forward. The surrounding crowd cheered as Johnson pressed against the ceiling of the car. https://twitter.com/Anjreu/status/767070094526590976

Later, as he walked into a press conference, Johnson told NM Political Report he enjoyed himself but was still feeling the effects. “My teeth are still chattering,” Johnson said.

The 2016 Libertarian National Convention

Naked candidates, frosty delegates and choosing a candidate: The quest for the White House

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It’s Thursday afternoon and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson just arrived in Orlando for the Libertarian National Convention. In a makeshift campaign office, he’s shaking hands and listening to concerned Libertarians. Having arrived on the scene about 12 hours before Johnson, I’ve already scoped out the area. This is part two of a two-part story. Read part one here. 

To see all of Andy Lyman’s reporting about the Libertarian National Convention, see our full series.

2016 elections

Johnson gets his choice for VP

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ORLANDO — Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld won the Libertarian Party Vice President nomination on Sunday afternoon and will be on the party’s ticket with former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson. The two-term governor won the nomination with just over 50 percent of the delegate vote, or 441 votes, on the second ballot. Weld endured cynicism and questions regarding his past with the Republican Party throughout the Libertarian National Convention over Memorial Day Weekend. At issue was Weld’s ability to present Libertarian ideas and values on a national stage. Like Johnson, Weld narrowly missed a majority of delegates on the first ballot.

Gary Johnson

Gary Johnson secures Libertarian nomination

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ORLANDO — Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson is the Libertarian nominee for president. After two rounds of voting Johnson secured 518 number of votes or 55.8 percent. The first round of votes resulted in Johnson securing almost 50 percent of the vote, or 458 delegates. According to convention rules, a candidate must receive at least 51 percent of the votes in order to become the official nominee. By the second round, Johnson won 55 percent of the votes and secured the nomination.

Libertarian National Convention

Libertarians have dim view of Johnson’s preferred running mate

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ORLANDO — Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson and his running mate, former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, spent a decent portion of Saturday stumping and campaigning to delegates at the Libertarian National Convention. While Johnson received a warm welcome, many questioned why Johnson picked Weld as his running mate in the first place. Johnson’s campaign headquarters, located inside the hotel’s convention center, served as the place for the revolving door of delegates to voice concerns and ask the two-term governor New Mexico governor questions. Steven Nielsen, a delegate from Port Orchard, Washington, showed up and asked Johnson to make the case for Weld. “Gary, I need confidence,” Nielsen said.

Gary Johnson

Johnson names running mate

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It didn’t work for Ted Cruz, but maybe it will work for Gary Johnson. The former New Mexico governor announced on Monday who his running mate would be if he wins the Libertarian Party nomination next week at the party’s national convention in Orlando, Florida. NM Political Report will be at the convention in Florida to report on Johnson and his attempt for a second consecutive nomination from the party. Johnson’s choice is another fellow governor, Bill Weld. Weld was a two-term Republican governor of Massachusetts in the 1990s.