Posted on 02/27/2025 10:45:02 PM PST by Angelino97
The Region 6 Alternate on the Libertarian National Committee has called for the Libertarian Party of Ohio to be disaffiliated in the event it fields a challenger against Vivek Ramaswamy, who announced a Republican bid for state governor this week.
Speaking at a rally in Cincinnati, Ramaswamy announced Monday that he would be running in the 2026 state gubernatorial election, becoming the third Republican actively in the race behind current Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Heather Hill, former president of the Morgan County School Board. The three join Amy Acton, former director of the Ohio Department of Health and the only Democrat to have declared her candidacy so far. Independent Political Report has not identified any declared third party or independent candidates at this time.
In response to Ramaswamy’s announcement, Ben Weir, the Region 6 Alternate on the Libertarian National Committee, made remarks on X urging libertarians to back Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial campaign and suggested that if the Ohio state party fielded a challenger against him, the party should be disaffiliated.
“If the Libertarian Party of Ohio runs a competing gubernatorial candidate to Vivek, they should be disaffiliated,” Weir posted. “I encourage as many libertarians as possible to get involved with Vivek’s campaign and help him push it past the finish line.”
IPR previously reported last month that Weir was resigning from his position as the Region 6 Alternate to focus on local projects. However, he has since opted to remain on the Committee. It is unclear when Weir rescinded his resignation, but he is still reflected as the current alternate member on the Libertarian Party’s website, and remarks on social media suggest he continues to serve in the role.
When pressed by X users about his statement, Weir reiterated his position, equating running Libertarian Party candidates against figures like Ramaswamy to “political cosplay” and arguing that if a state affiliate is “being obstructive to liberty,” it should be “removed from the party.”
“When asked if the LP should run candidates against libertarians like Vivek, Massie, Amash, or Rand Paul… the answer should always be NO,” Weir added. “If their answer is “yes” or if they try to argue with purity test tactics, then they shouldn’t be an LP affiliate.”
Weir further stated that he is “an anarchist before I’m a Libertarian,” adding that he doesn’t care what party someone supports. He emphasized that his goal is “freedom on an absolute level” and called an unwillingness to work with others “childish.”
While the Libertarian Party of Ohio has not announced plans to field a gubernatorial candidate for the 2026 election cycle, it will need to do so if it intends to retain its current party status. Last year, party organizers submitted over 87,000 signatures from all 88 counties to regain recognition as a minor party—the first time it had done so in four years. Supporters had to collect signatures equal to one percent of the total vote cast in the 2022 gubernatorial election.
With minor party status in Ohio comes the ability for candidates to appear on the ballot under the Libertarian line and participate in primary elections. To retain that status, the Libertarian Party’s 2024 presidential ticket would have needed to earn over 3% of the total vote but fell short with only half a percent. That means the gubernatorial election will be a ballot access race unless the party intends to petition again in 2028.
Courage popping out errrrywhere? This will only add to leftist angst. You better be sure America. This is for keeps. Halfway is sooo 20th century.
Why can’t they do like New York State elections and just also nominate Vivek as the Libertarian candidate too?
And those that do permit it, have different ways of doing it.
In NY, each party keeps its own party line, and the candidate appears as many times on the ballot as the parties that nominated him. You can vote Conservative OR Republican if both parties nominate the same candidate. The party still collects the votes.
In California, a candidate only appears ONCE on the ballot, with the various parties that nominated him listed beside his name. So if you vote for the candidate, there's no way to tell which party brought the votes.
In Ohio ... I don't know if they even allow fusion nominations.
They’re stupid. Please purity over getting the job done. When they go against both parties equally they’re going against the GOP.
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