Fifty years ago, I became a libertarian. I have consistently supported every Libertarian Party candidate, cementing my commitment with lifetime memberships in both the national and state Libertarian Parties. As Vice Chair of the New Jersey Libertarian Party (NJLP) in 2016 and 2017, I lead the redesign of key elements of our party structure, replacing At-Large members on the State Board with the current Vice President positions and establishing our Regional framework. I also ran as our candidate twice for the New Jersey Senate and twice for the U.S. House of Representatives, always advocating for the classic libertarian tenets of personal liberty, civil liberty, economic liberty, limited government, and peace.
In 2022, the national party witnessed a shift in leadership. Like 1792 France and 1917 Russia, an organized minority was able to take power from an unorganized majority. The new leaders had some valid criticisms of the party's historical progress and promised radical changes, so I approached their tenure with a cautious optimism and a wait-and-see attitude. Unfortunately, over time, it became evident that the new leadership was more philosophically aligned with the MAGA Republicans than with the foundational principles of libertarian philosophy.
The true intentions of the Libertarian National Committee (LNC) became unmistakably clear in 2024. During the National Convention, the LNC extended invitations to Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This move was met with strong opposition from many convention attendees who, in a decisive act, rejected the LNC's hand-picked presidential candidate in favor of Chase Oliver, a classical libertarian. The aftermath of this decision saw the LNC embarking on a campaign to undermine Chase Oliver’s candidacy, favoring instead the presidential aspirations of Trump and independent candidate Kennedy. The LNC’s actions not only betray the core principles of our party but also undermine the integrity and independence that many of us have cherished and fought for over the years.
At our state party convention in March 2023, the election of a new state board initially filled me with trepidation, echoing concerns about the national party's direction. As 2024 unfolded, my fears were realized as our state party's identity began to blur, aligning more closely with Republican ideologies. Our messaging, our lukewarm support for our presidential candidate, and our flirtations with Trump and Kennedy all pointed to a troubling shift away from our core libertarian principles. Despite my continued involvement in various committees and even running as a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, I found myself distancing from our party in my public communications. The risk of tarnishing my hard-earned reputation as a classical libertarian became too great.
The developments are alarming. Membership and membership dollars in both the national and NJ state parties are down. Libertarian Party candidates for President and Congress in New Jersey have, for the first time in decades, come in fourth, behind the Green Party candidates. If this trend continues, both the national and state parties risk sinking into irrelevance or collapse, leaving MAGA supporters free to return to their natural home in the Republican Party. But classical libertarians will be politically homeless. This isn't just disillusioning; it's an existential problem that demands immediate attention.
However, hope springs eternal. Just as the national party has appeared to have course-corrected with new leadership, I see a chance for the same at our upcoming March convention. To that end, I wholeheartedly endorse the alternative slate of candidates for our State Board. Their election could herald a return to our foundational values. If successful, I eagerly anticipate the day when I can once again proudly promote both our National and State parties, encouraging like-minded individuals to join our cause and lend their support. I implore you to stand with me in this crucial effort to reclaim our party's soul and reignite the flame of liberty in our state.