The 2024 presidential campaign of Chase Oliver formally began on April 4, 2023, following the formation of an exploratory committee in December 2022. He officially received the presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party on May 26, 2024. Oliver is a libertarian political activist, as well as a sales account executive, and HR representative.[3] He was the Libertarian nominee in the 2022 United States Senate election in Georgia and the 2020 Georgia's 5th congressional district special election.[4]
Chase Oliver 2024 presidential campaign | |
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Campaign | 2024 Libertarian Party presidential primaries 2024 United States presidential election |
Candidate | Chase Oliver Mike ter Maat |
Affiliation | Libertarian Party |
Status | Announced: April 4, 2023 Official nominee: May 26, 2024 |
EC formed | December 2, 2022 |
Key people |
|
Receipts | US$195,444.58[2] |
Slogan | Empower Your Future |
Website | |
https://www.votechaseoliver.com/ |
Background
editOliver's first campaign for public office was in 2020, as the Libertarian nominee for the 2020 Georgia's 5th congressional district special election to replace John Lewis, who had died earlier that year. Oliver won 2% of the vote in that race and was eliminated during the blanket primary.[5]
He then became Libertarian nominee for the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Georgia, where he faced off against the incumbent Democratic Raphael Warnock and Republican Party challenger Herschel Walker.[3][6] Oliver participated in an October 2022 debate hosted by Georgia Public Broadcasting and debated against Warnock, as well as an empty podium representing Walker, who had declined to take part in the debate.[7] Oliver received over 2% of the popular vote in that race. Opponents contended that he was a spoiler candidate and that his votes forced the race, which was ultimately won by Warnock, into a run-off.[8]
On December 2, 2022, Oliver formed an exploratory committee to inquire into a possible run for the Libertarian presidential nomination in the 2024 United States presidential election.[9]
Campaign
editAnnouncement
editOn April 4, 2023, Oliver formally declared his candidacy for the Libertarian presidential nomination.[10][11]
Developments
editThroughout the summer of 2023, Oliver campaigned extensively in Iowa.[12][13] The Gazette described him as a "pro-gun, pro-police reform, pro-choice Libertarian" who is "armed and gay."[14] On August 19, 2023, he spoke at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox, becoming the first-ever third-party presidential candidate to speak at the event.[15]
Oliver was described by The Christian Science Monitor as a potential "opening in the middle" that may deliver a reprieve to "voters unhappy with both major-party front-runners" looking for representation from a younger generation.[16]
Oliver filed to run in Oklahoma's "first Libertarian presidential primary election since the party was formally recognized in 2016". Alongside fellow Libertarian primary candidate Jacob Hornberger, Oliver achieved ballot access by collecting signatures from voters in each Congressional district.[17][18] He won the Oklahoma primary, which was held on Super Tuesday, on March 5, 2024, with 61% of the vote.[19]
In January 2024, Oliver and fellow Libertarian presidential primary candidate Lars Mapstead successfully collaborated to secure major party status and ballot access for the Libertarian Party of Maine.[20] Afterwards, Oliver went to Iowa in order to campaign ahead of the 2024 Iowa Libertarian presidential caucuses.[21][22] He won the Iowa caucus with 42.7% of the vote.[23]
On February 29, 2024, Oliver participated in a presidential candidates debate hosted by the Free & Equal Elections Foundation, alongside Party for Socialism and Liberation nominee Claudia De la Cruz, Green Party candidates Jill Stein and Jasmine Sherman, and fellow Libertarian candidate Lars Mapstead.[24][25]
On May 26, 2024, Oliver officially received the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination at the party's National Convention.[26] That same day, Mike ter Maat was selected as the Libertarian party's vice-presidential nominee and Oliver's running mate.[27]
Four state Libertarian parties have publicly "denounced" Oliver's nomination: Colorado, Montana, New Hampshire, and Idaho.[28] In the weeks following Oliver's nomination, the state Libertarian parties of Colorado and Montana formally rejected the LNC ticket, with the Colorado affiliate refusing to place him on the ballot.[29][30] In July 2024, it was announced the Libertarian Party of Colorado would place Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as its presidential nominee, rather than Oliver, whom they reportedly said was "insufficiently aligned with their principles."[31] However, the press secretary of the national party submitted the required paperwork recognizing the Oliver/ter Maat slate, which the Colorado Secretary of State accepted. Kennedy will be listed on the ballot there as "Independent."[32]
On July 12, 2024, Oliver participated in another presidential debate hosted by the Free & Equal Elections Foundation alongside Green Party presumptive nominee Jill Stein and Constitution Party nominee Randall Terry at Freedom Fest[33] The debate was moderated by the foundation's chair Christina Tobin, alongside congressman Thomas Massie.[citation needed]
Political positions
editAbortion
editOliver self-identifies as pro-choice but is opposed to taxpayer funding for abortion clinics. He has supported the Hyde Amendment in his 2022 senate campaign[34] and would support legislation to make it available nationwide.
Climate change
editOliver supports letting the free market find the solution to climate change. He contends that if businesses are left alone, they will be incentivized to develop technologies that will eventually replace current carbon-based fuels.[35]
Electoral reform
editOliver is a strong supporter of ranked-choice voting in the United States, which he has said would have prevented the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Georgia from going to a run-off by allowing voters to rank their preferred candidates when they voted the first time. He has also stated that ranked-choice voting would save millions of taxpayer dollars by allowing run-offs to be instant, while ensuring that winning candidates always get above 50% of the vote.[36] Rolling Stone called him the most influential Libertarian of the year.[37]
Economy
editOliver supports free trade and opposes tariffs. He supports a balanced federal budget and reducing inflation, and has supported the idea of returning to the gold standard. He also supports ending the Federal Reserve.[38][39]
Foreign policy
editOliver promotes a non-interventionist foreign policy, stating that "It's just not a great combination when you're exporting our weapons to autocrats around the world".[40] He has criticized both Presidents Biden and Trump for their foreign policy, believing that the both of them are "authoritarians" in nature. He supports the closure of all military bases and opposes foreign aid.[41]
Israel
editOliver has condemned the October 7 attacks. Still, he has also been critical of the Israeli government on multiple occasions and has labeled the Israel-Hamas war as a "genocide", and has called for a ceasefire.[42]
Oliver has additionally stated he would end all support to Israel and Ukraine, stating "While we offer moral support to our friends currently engaged with the enemy, we should not be contributing to extending the fight."[43]
Immigration
editOliver supports an "Ellis Island-style immigration" system, stating: "If you're coming here to work and be peaceful, it's not my business."[13]
Ballot access
editOliver has achieved certified ballot access in at least 35 states as of July 2024.
Endorsements
edit- Organizations
- Classical Liberal Caucus[55]
- Franklin County Libertarian Party of Ohio[56]
- Notable individuals
- Angela McArdle, 22nd Chair of the Libertarian National Committee[57]
- Jo Jorgensen, 2020 Libertarian presidential nominee[58]
- Keenan Dunham, former chair of the Horry County, South Carolina Libertarian Party and candidate for LP presidential nomination in 2016, 2020, and 2024[59]
- Mark Tuniewicz, Libertarian National Committee regional representative[60]
- Michael Pakko, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Arkansas, Chief Economist at University of Arkansas at Little Rock's Arkansas Economic Development Institute, and Libertarian Party nominee for the 2024 Arkansas State Treasurer special election[61]
- John Stossel, television personality and political pundit.[62][63]
Polling
editAs of May 2024, Oliver has been included in two national presidential polls
Poll source | Date | Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Joe Biden Democratic |
Donald Trump Republican |
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Independent |
Cornel West Independent |
Chase Oliver Libertarian |
Jill Stein Green |
Other/ Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Data for Progress (D)/Zeteo | May 1–2, 2024 | 1,240 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 40% | 41% | 12% | 1% | 0% | 1% | 5% |
Data for Progress (D) | March 27–29, 2024 | 1,200 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 41% | 42% | 8% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 6% |
And one poll in Iowa.
- Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden vs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vs. Chase Oliver
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Donald Trump Republican |
Joe Biden Democratic |
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Independent |
Chase Oliver Libertarian |
Other / Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Selzer & Co. | June 9–14, 2024 | 632 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 50% | 32% | 9% | 2% | 7%[b] |
Controversies
editOliver has been criticized by some conservative pundits as being "woke".[64] His nomination has been considered polarizing within the Libertarian Party, particularly those within the Mises Caucus. It has led to state parties to refuse to add him to the ballot, such as the Libertarian Party of Colorado which opted instead for independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.[65][66]
Notes
edit- ^ Oliver on the ballot in:[44]
- Alaska (3)
- Arkansas (6)
- Arizona (11)
- California (54)
- Colorado (10)[45]
- Connecticut (7)
- Delaware (3)
- Florida (30)
- Georgia (16)
- Hawaii (4)
- Idaho (4)
- Indiana (11)
- Iowa (6)
- Kansas (6)
- Louisiana (8)
- Maine (4)
- Maryland (10)
- Michigan (15)
- Minnesota (10)[46]
- Mississippi (6)
- Missouri (10)
- Nebraska (5)
- Nevada (6)
- New Jersey (14)[47][48]
- New Mexico (5)[49]
- North Carolina (16)
- North Dakota (3)
- Ohio (17)[50]
- Oklahoma (7)
- Oregon (8)
- Pennsylvania (19)[51]
- South Carolina (9)
- South Dakota (3)
- Texas (40)
- Utah (6)
- Vermont (3)
- Washington (12)[52]
- West Virginia (4)
- Wisconsin (10)
- Wyoming (3)
- ^ Petitioned to be on the ballot in:
- New Hampshire (4)[53]
- ^ Libertarian Party write-in states:
- Alabama (9)
- Rhode Island (4)
- ^ Rejected nominee states:
References
edit- ^ Gibson, Brittany (June 27, 2024). "RFK Jr. wages war on CNN over being jilted by the debate". Politico. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ "CHASE OLIVER FOR PRESIDENT - committee overview". FEC.gov.
- ^ a b "The 'armed and gay' Senate hopeful who helped force Georgia's runoff". The Guardian. November 11, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ DeFeo, T. A. | The Center Square (May 30, 2023). "Oliver sees 2024 as an opportunity for Libertarians to break out". The Center Square. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Georgia Secretary of State (September 30, 2020). "Results Summary". Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Melton, Elizabeth (January 17, 2022). "Press Release: Libertarian Party of Georgia Makes History at 2022 Convention with Full Slate of Statewide Candidates". Libertarian Party of Georgia. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ King, Maya (October 17, 2022). "Warnock Hammers Walker in Senate Debate, Gesturing to an Empty Lectern". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Stuart, Tessa (November 12, 2022). "He Won 2 Percent of the Vote – and Could Decide Who Wins a Senate Seat". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Nunez, Gabriella (December 2, 2022). "Georgia Libertarian announces president exploratory committee". WXIA-TV. Atlanta. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Chase Oliver [@ChaseForLiberty] (April 5, 2023). "Are you ready to start Chase-ing Liberty with me? http://Votechaseoliver.com" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Fernandez, Madison (April 10, 2023) "What Republicans can do with their new supermajorities>PRESIDENTIAL BIG BOARD". Politico. April 10, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
THIRD-PARTY CORNER — Libertarian Chase Oliver, who ran for Georgia Senate last year and earned 2 percent of the vote, pushing the contest to a runoff, filed to run for president. He announced his bid last week.
- ^ Stewart, Scott (July 25, 2023). "Libertarian candidate visits Carter Lake". The Daily Nonpareil. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ a b Eller, Donelle (August 19, 2023). "Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver in Iowa calls for 'cultural war ceasefire'". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Barton, Tim (July 23, 2023). "Who is Chase Oliver? Meet the Libertarian candidate running for president". The Gazette. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Opsahl, Robin (August 19, 2023). "Presidential candidates wrap up state fair political events". The Southwest Iowa News Source. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "Why 2024 could be a big year for third-party candidates". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "Who is on presidential primary ballot in Oklahoma?". USA Today. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Stecklein, Janelle (December 12, 2023). "16 candidates file to appear on Oklahoma's presidential primary ballot". KGOU. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Sharfman, Alexandra (March 6, 2024) "Trump and Biden dominate Super Tuesday in Oklahoma", KTUL.com. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ Kemp, Harrison (January 10, 2024). "Libertarian Party Earns major party status in maine". Libertarian Party of Maine. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Lathers, Addison (January 14, 2024) "Iowa Libertarians host a debate on the eve of the Iowa Caucuses. What they said:", Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Larry (2024-01-11). "OLIVER RETURNS TO IOWA FOR CAUCUSES". CHASE FOR PRESIDENT. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Bunge, Mike (January 16, 2024) "Libertarian Party of Iowa announces the winner of its statewide Presidential caucus", KIMT.com. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ "Campaign 2024: Free and Equal Elections Presidential Debate". February 29, 2024 Retrieved March 22, 2024
- ^ Marantz, Andrew (March 11, 2024). "Libertarians and Socialists and Jill Stein - Oh, My!". The New Yorker. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Sommerlad, Joe (May 27, 2024). "Libertarian Party names presidential nominee – as RFK Jr crashes out of race and Trump fails to qualify". The Independent. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ "Mike Ter Maat Wins the Libertarian Party Vice-Presidential Nomination |". May 26, 2024.
- ^ As voters suffer presidential election deja vu, Chase Oliver wants to be another option
- ^ Redpath, Bill (June 11, 2024). "Libertarian Party of Colorado Announces It Will Not Place LP Presidential Ticket on the Ballot in that State". Ballot Access News. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Evans, Jordan Willow (5 June 2024). "Montana Libertarian Party Rejects Chase Oliver's Nomination; Urges LNC to Suspend Candidacy". Independent Political Report. Retrieved 11 June 2024.[better source needed]
- ^ "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be on Colorado's presidential ballot, but Libertarian dispute continues". August 1, 2024.
- ^ Kenney, Andrew (July 25, 2024). "RFK Jr. probably won't be the Libertarian nominee in Colorado, Chase Oliver will". Cpr.org. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ "Free & Equal Presidential Debate – at FreedomFest July 12, 2024".
- ^ Fausset, Richard (November 9, 2022). "The Libertarian Who Helped Push the Georgia Senate Race Into a Runoff". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Weisbrod, Katelyn (October 26, 2022). "In Georgia, Warnock's Climate Activism Contrasts Sharply with Walker's Deep Skepticism". Inside Climate News. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
- ^ McFall, Caitlin (November 10, 2022). "Georgia Senate Libertarian candidate says he will not endorse in Walker-Warnock runoff". Fox News. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
- ^ Stuart, Tessa (November 12, 2022). "He Won 2 Percent of the Vote – and Could Decide Who Wins a Senate Seat". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
- ^ @ChaseForLiberty (July 14, 2024). "Yes, I want to get rid of the Fed. Why? They are for the big banks and not YOU. We need to get back to a gold standard where our money is backed by and worth something" (Tweet). Retrieved July 15, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Barton, Tim (July 23, 2023). "Who is Chase Oliver? Meet the Libertarian candidate running for president". The Gazette. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ "Libertarian Candidates Can Change Presidential Outcomes. What Does the New Nominee Believe?". The New York Times. June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ Garcia, Eric (May 28, 2024). "Who is Chase Oliver, the Libertarian Party candidate for president?". The Independent. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ "Libertarians pick Chase Oliver for US president as Trump, Kennedy rejected". Al Jazeera. May 27, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ "PLATFORM". Chase Oliver. November 11, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ Winger, Richard. "May 2024 Ballot Access News Print Edition".
- ^ Kenney, Andrew (July 10, 2024). "Libertarians have dueling presidential candidates in Colorado as surprise RFK nomination causes chaos". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ "Candidate Filings". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Winger, Richard (July 29, 2024). "Eight Presidential Candidates Submit Petitions in New Jersey". Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ Wildstein, David (August 1, 2024). "Three Independent Presidential Candidates Face Petition Challenges in N.J." New Jersey Globe. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ "2024 General Election Contest/Candidate List".
- ^ Winger, Richard (August 12, 2024). "Six Petitioning Presidential Candidates Submit Ohio Petitions". Ballot Access News. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
- ^ "Election Information". PA Voter Services. Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ Dallas, Julia (August 13, 2024). "9 presidential nominations by minor parties, independent candidates qualify for WA ballot". MyNorthwest. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Presidential Ballot Access by State". The Green Papers. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Evans, Jordan Willow (June 5, 2024). "Montana Libertarian Party Rejects Chase Oliver's Nomination; Urges LNC to Suspend Candidacy". Independent Political Report. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ @LP_CLC (May 10, 2024). "For PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, the Classical Liberal Caucus is proud to endorse Chase Oliver! You can donate to @ChaseForLiberty at http://votechaseoliver.com/donate" (Tweet). Retrieved May 29, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ @FCLPO (August 9, 2024). "County Party Candidate Endorsements The Franklin County Libertarian Party of Ohio is thrilled to fully endorse the following candidates for their respective elections. Chase Oliver for President, Mike ter Maat for Vice President" (Tweet). Retrieved August 11, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "'We are stopping Biden': Libertarian Party chairwoman reveals strategy of 'protest votes'". June 3, 2024. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
- ^ @JoForLiberty (May 28, 2024). "For those of you who don't already know, @ChaseForLiberty was nominated as our POTUS for the Libertarian Party on Sunday. @terMaatMike was nominated as our VPOTUS. Congratulations to both of them. I look forward to casting my Libertarian ballot in November" (Tweet). Retrieved May 29, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Keenan Wallace Dunham Libertarian for President 2024". www.dunham2024.com. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Mark Tuniewicz [@MarkTuniewicz] (April 9, 2024). "With all due respect to others running, @ChaseForLiberty Chase Oliver is the best candidate @LPNational has on offer. Broadest donor & volunteer support, campaigned in 47 of 50 states (other 3 pending soon). It's time for Libertarians to consolidate their support NOW, behind our eventual nominee. Let's Go! http://votechaseoliver.com" (Tweet). Retrieved May 27, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Michael Pakko for State Treasurer [@michael_pakko] (July 20, 2024). "These are 5 good reasons for my endorsement of Chase Oliver for President" (Tweet). Retrieved July 28, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Stossel, John (2024-07-24). "John Stossel: Unsatisfied with Trump and Harris? Consider Chase Oliver for president". Orange County Register. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ Kristin (2024-06-26). "A Candidate Who Cares About Freedom". Stossel TV. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ Lahren, Tomi (July 11, 2024). "Libertarian Party Selects Woke Chase Oliver". Fox News. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ Klamann, Seth (July 7, 2024). "Colorado's pro-RFK Jr. Libertarians face presidential ballot showdown with national party". The Denver Post. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ Doherty, Brian (July 11, 2024). "The Libertarian Party vs. Chase Oliver". Reason. Retrieved July 15, 2024.