Two Libertarians Seeking Party’s Presidential Nomination Announce Vice-Presidential Running Mates

Two presidential candidates seeking the Libertarian Party nomination have already found vice-presidential running mates. The Libertarian Party national convention is May 27-30 in Orlando.

On April 6, Darryl Perry announced that his vice-presidential running mate is Will Coley, of Florida. Coley is a Muslim and is the founder of Muslims 4 Liberty. Coley is thought to be the first Muslim who ever announced a candidacy for either President or Vice-President.

On April 1, John McAfee announced that his vice-presidential running mate is Judd Weiss, of Bel Air, California. Weiss is a long-time Libertarian and a photographer and entrepreneur.

Ohio State Court Hears Testimony in Libertarian Party Ballot Access Case

On April 5, a state trial court in Columbus, Ohio, heard testimony in Libertarian Party of Ohio v Husted, 16-cv-554. Bob Fitrakis of the Ohio Green Party, Kevin Knedler of the Libertarian Party, and Bob Bridges of the Libertarian Party, all testified. The lawsuit argues that the 2013 ballot access law violates the State Constitution, because that Constitution seems to say that all parties must nominate by primary, yet the 2013 law says new parties don’t nominate by primary. The State argued that the Ohio Constitutional provision mandating primaries for all parties can’t really be enforced by a lawsuit.

Kentucky Declaration of Candidacy Deadline Passes for State Office

Kentucky requires candidates for state office who are running outside the qualified parties to file a declaration of candidacy by April 1. This year, only one minor party candidate, and three independent candidates, filed for the state legislature (which is the only state office up in 2016). The declaration of candidacy filing requirement does not apply to federal office. See this story. The only minor party candidate is a Libertarian.

Last time Kentucky held legislative elections, in 2014, there were no minor party candidates, and only two independent candidates.

Petitions for these candidates are not due until August, and require 100 signatures.