Midterm Election Highlights and Takeaways

Voters across the country went to the polls on Tuesday to vote in the 2022 midterm elections. Results show that independent and third party candidates spanning the political spectrum experienced numerous successes. While there are likely more electoral victories and accomplishments still not yet known, Independent Political Report has compiled some highlights. Some results are also still being counted and may be subject to change.

In Massachusetts, the Libertarian Association of Massachusetts will secure major party status following a record-breaking performance by Cris Crawford, who won over 415,000 votes or 23.2% of the vote as a Libertarian in her race for State Treasurer against the incumbent Democrat. Crawford’s total showing means that she and a cohort of her supporters will become the officially state-recognized affiliate of the Libertarian Party. However, it’s unknown how the current state affiliate recognized by the Libertarian National Committee will respond. Independent Political Report has contacted the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office for further information.

The Massachusetts Green-Rainbow candidates running for statewide office also had strong showings, although it is still being determined if they will qualify for major party recognition. As of Thursday afternoon, Gloria Caballero-Roca secured 2.9% of the vote in her race for State Auditor. She tetters below the three percent (3%) required, although other sources familiar with ballot access have stated that the party could still qualify. Independent Political Report has reached out to the Green-Rainbow Party for further comment. Dominic Giannone III, the first Workers Party candidate to appear on the ballot for statewide office since the party began organizing, secured just over 48,000 votes or two percent (2.2%) in the same Massachusetts race.

Nicholas Sarwark and Richard Manzo, two Libertarians in New Hampshire, both came within striking distance of winning their campaigns for Hillsborough County Attorney and Hillsborough County Treasurer, respectively. Sarwark and Manzo both appeared twice on the ballot after initially qualifying as Libertarians and then winning the nomination of the Democratic Party in a rare example of New Hampshire fusion voting. Sarwark and Manzo both won over 70,000 votes or 45% of the vote in their respective campaigns.

In Arizona, Forward Party-endorsed Democratic nominee Mark Kelly is leading Republican Blake Masters in the race to become Arizona’s next US Senator. Libertarian candidate Mark Victor dropped out and endorsed Masters in the days leading up to Election Day. Victor’s name remained on the ballot, still securing over 40,000 votes or 2.1% of the vote as of the most recent count. As of this article’s posting, the Associated Press reports that 70% of votes cast have been counted.

Progressives in Vermont had several successes at the ballot box, including the Lt. Governor position. The Vermont Progressive Party secured at least eight legislative victories and re-elected incumbent Lt. Governor David Zuckerman. In his campaign, Zuckerman secured a majority of 54%, defeating the Republican challenger and a challenger from the newly merged Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party.

In Georgia, Libertarian Chase Oliver covered the spread in his race for US Senate, prompting a future run-off election between Republican Herschel Walker and incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock. Oliver earned just over 81,000 votes or 2.1% of the vote, denying both major party candidates a 50% majority. The runoff election is scheduled for December 6 following an audit of the statewide race results.

Incumbent Wyoming state representative and Libertarian Marshall Burt was unsuccessful in his campaign for reelection. Burt faced a Republican challenger in Cody Wylie, who defeated the one-term legislator by a decisive margin. However, Burt still netted 24.7% of the total vote. Meanwhile, Libertarian Bethany Baldes earned 39.5% of the vote in her campaign for the state legislature.

Independent candidate Ammon Bundy, a constitutionalist known for his occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 2016, earned a strong showing in a race against five other candidates for Idaho Governor. While third behind the Republican and Democrat, Bundy netted over 101,000 votes or 17.2% of the total cast, placing him above the Libertarian and Constitution Party candidates. He was second in several counties, including Oneida County, where he secured 31% of the vote.

In Texas, Libertarians set a record in the race for the 26th congressional district. Libertarian challenger Mike Kolls earned over 81,000 votes or 30.7% of the total cast against incumbent Republican Michael Burgess in a two-way race.

Pro-marijuana legalization candidates running on state third party lines in Minnesota polled a combined five percent of the vote in the race for Auditor. Tim Davis running under the “Legal Marijuana Now” line, earned four percent of the vote (3.6%), whereas Will Finn running under the “Grassroots” line, netted just under two percent (1.8%). Both candidates denied the major party candidates a majority of the vote. Additionally, the late Paula Overby, whose name remained on the ballot under the Legal Marijuana Now line after her untimely passing, secured 3.3% of the total vote in the campaign for Minnesota’s second congressional district.

Oregon State Senator Betsy Johnson running as an unaffiliated candidate, earned nine percent (8.9%) of the vote in her campaign for governor. While she polled initially within striking distance earlier in the campaign, her final showing was still enough to deny both major party candidates a majority vote. Democratic nominee Tina Kotek, who also secured the endorsement of the former Oregon Progressive and Pacific Green Candidate in the race, sits in first at 47.6% of the vote.

In Kansas, one independent candidate and one third party candidate denied the major party candidates a majority of votes in the gubernatorial election. Independent State Senator Dennis Pyle earned two percent of the vote, and Libertarian Seth Cordell secured just over one percent (1.1%). As a result, incumbent Democratic Governor Laura Kelly won with only 49.2% of the total vote.

In Arkansas, Libertarians experienced several strong showings in districts where no other candidate sought to contest the incumbent. A mass effort by Libertarian activists saw dozens of Libertarians vie for office across the state, including easily over a dozen in races without a third challenger. In many of these particular races, candidates performed well into the upper teens.

In Kentucky, the Pirate Party set a personal record in the race for the fourth congressional district. Ethan Osborne, a self-identified Pirate, was supported by the party and ran as an independent candidate. Osborne secured over 10,000 votes or four percent (3.9%) against incumbent Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Matthew Lehman.

Independent Political Report acknowledges that this is only a glimpse of what happened on Tuesday night. An effort was made to be as inclusive of different parties as possible; however, it’s understood that there are countless other examples. Therefore, we encourage readers to submit their anecdotes or experiences with third party and independent candidates from Tuesday in the article’s comments or on our Monthly Open Thread. Additional results can also be found in the Election Eve thread.

Editor’s Note: The author of this article is a personal and professional acquaintance of at least one of the candidates mentioned above. Thanks to Nathan Norman for pointing out that Arizona has not yet been called as of 2:22 PM EST on 11/10/2022.