The Libertarian Party has nominated Chase Oliver as its 2024 presidential candidate after a drawn-out nomination vote on Sunday, NBC News reports.
Third parties have rarely been competitive in US presidential elections, with the Libertarian Party candidate four years ago winning 1 per cent of the vote. But there is more attention on the party’s decision this year because of the rematch between Trump and US President Joe Biden, which could again hinge on a small margin of victory in several contested states.
Mr. Oliver posted on Sunday on X:
“We did it! I am officially the presidential nominee. It’s time to unify and move forward for liberty.”
On Saturday night, Trump gave a speech at a convention in Washington. He did not receive the expected support, although his Republican allies praised him for his decision to speak in front of an unfriendly crowd.
Meanwhile, Robert Kennedy Jr. received a friendlier reception when he spoke on Friday and attacked Mr Trump and Mr Biden for their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He spoke of his support for libertarians and the endorsement could help him speed up the process of getting on the ballot in all 50 states, perhaps the biggest hurdle he faces in getting to CNN’s first presidential debate in June.
Libertarians prioritise small government and individual liberties, taking a variety of policy positions that can be seen as liberal, conservative or neither.
Mr. Oliver is an Atlanta-based activist who previously ran for the US Senate and House of Representatives from Georgia. His campaign website includes calls for severe cuts to the federal budget to balance it, abolition of the death penalty. He also favours closing all foreign military bases and ending military support for Israel and Ukraine.
