Marshall Burt, who made history as Wyoming’s first Libertarian legislator when he was elected in 2020, announced last week that he is making another bid to return to the state legislature by running in the Republican Party primary.
Burt, who served a single term, was initially one of several candidates supported through the Libertarian Party Frontier Project, an effort to focus party resources on specific winnable districts, particularly those in the American West. In his first run, Burt defeated incumbent Democratic legislator Stan Blake with 53.6% of the vote. However, he was defeated by Republican challenger Cody Wylie the following election cycle.
According to the Cowboy State Daily, Burt is making an effort to return to his former position, this time by challenging Wylie in the Republican primary. Burt filed his paperwork early last week.
Burt reportedly attributes his departure from the Libertarian Party to changes in its national leadership and a shift in party membership following the 2020 presidential election, both leading to factionalism which he calls “unmatched by any other political party split.” In particular, Burt references a loss of ballot access in several states due to such factionalism and the unseating of Wyoming delegates at the party’s recent national convention. He also expressed disappointment with the party’s decision to invite Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to speak at the convention.
Burt has previously attributed this same factionalism as a contributing factor to his loss in 2022, saying on then-Twitter in 2023, “As the first Libertarian in 20 years to run and win as a Libertarian at the state level, I am 100% certain the intent of the [Mises Caucus] is not to help candidates win. I saw absolutely no help or interest from their caucus during my re-election campaign.”
Now running as a Republican, Burt states that he continues to remain critical of state Republican hypocrisy and emphasizes his commitment to his original principles as a Libertarian candidate, particularly regarding the legalization of medical marijuana and limiting government programs and spending.
With thanks to Christopher Cole from Independent Political Report’s official Facebook News Group for sharing the article.
I’m sorry, I meant the WYOMING delegation of which he complains–what happened to them at the Convention, anyone. Thanks.
What happened with the Montana delegation at the Convention? Anyone?
It makes total sense. If you actually want to get elected in Wyoming, it’s close to impossible without running as a Republican. His views have not changed, and his views of Trump and the Republican establishment have not changed. But the LP has changed, and due to that change didn’t give him the support to win a second term as a Libertarian. They have also become too embarrassing for politicians who actually want to win office and implement policy to want to associate with.
He could run as an independent, but then there’s ballot access petitions and the massive institutional power of the Republican ballot line in Wyoming. So, he’s better off running in the Republican primary..
I donated to his previous campaign when he ran as a Libertarian. But I will not be donating to his campaign now that he has left the Libertarian Party.
RTAA: I was thinking the same thing, doesn’t make any sense!
He’s upset the LNC invited Trump, so he switches to Republican.