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.

Libertarian National Convention

Liberty, freedom and Vermin Supreme: A weekend at the Libertarian convention

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ORLANDO — When I told friends I was headed to the Libertarian National Convention, many assumed I would be surrounded by a group of gun-toting, pot-smoking Republicans who advocate total anarchy. This proved to be untrue—mostly. Note: This is part one of a two-part series by Andy Lyman on the weekend at the Libertarian National Convention. Part two will run on Saturday. For all of Andy Lyman’s stories from Orlando, see The 2016 Libertarian National Convention series. 

Aside from a rotund candidate for national Libertarian Party chair stripping down to a thong while dancing on stage and some outspokenly frustrated anarchists, the conference was largely tame.

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.

Gary Johnson

Johnson jeered for support of Civil Rights Act, driver’s license laws

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ORLANDO — Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson went up against four other candidates Saturday night vying for the Libertarian Party nomination at the party’s National Convention. The two hour debate did not see any personal attacks as in previous debates, but Johnson found himself the subject of rounds of jeers. The crowd first booed Johnson after he was asked a question about climate change and the effects on the environment. Johnson said he wasn’t sure what the cause was, but that the coal industry was bankrupt due to free market ideals. The crowd showed their loud disapproval of Johnson’s stance that doesn’t quite fit with their ideas of Libertarian ideals.

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.

2016 elections

Johnson wins debate at Libertarian National Convention

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ORLANDO — Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson won the first round of debates at the National Libertarian Convention on Thursday. After a multi-tiered process that lasted most of the evening, 34 percent of the delegates said they favored Johnson. The process involved multiple debates with the winner moving on to the next round. In the final round Johnson was joined by software anti-virus mogul John McAfee, media entrepreneur Austin Petersen, radio host Darryl Perry and Dr. Marc Feldman. Note: NM Political Report reporter Andy Lyman is in Orlando to follow former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and his attempt for a second consecutive nomination from the party.

Libertarian National Convention

Guns, pot and choosing a presidential candidate: A preview of the Libertarian Party convention

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While Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders trade insults and barbs in an attempt to gain momentum and supporters, a group of nearly  20 candidates will converge on Orlando, Florida this weekend to sell themselves in an attempt to appear on all 50 state ballots. They are the Libertarian Party candidates. This year’s Libertarian National convention, where the party will nominate their candidate for president, seems to have more riding on it. With Trump as the presumable Republican nominee and Clinton as the Democratic frontrunner, the Libertarian Party is ready to present the United States with a viable, third-party option. See Also: How Gary Johnson went from ‘Governor No’ to third party icon

The Libertarian Party candidates currently in the spotlight are anti-virus software mogul John McAfee, entrepreneur Austin Petersen and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson.