The Libertarian Party of Colorado has ended its efforts to place independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the state’s Libertarian ballot line, citing a recent email in which Kennedy urged supporters nationwide to back Republican Donald Trump.
The party made the announcement over social media on Friday, stating that it would halt its attempts to place Kennedy on the Colorado ballot after he sent a fundraising email encouraging his supporters across all states to support Trump’s campaign. It further noted this marked a shift from his original plan, where he had only advocated supporting Trump in states where Kennedy’s presence might lead to a victory for Democratic Party nominee Kamala Harris.
Previously, the Libertarian Party of Colorado had sought to place Kennedy and his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, on the state’s ballot in place of the Libertarian Party’s official ticket of Chase Oliver and Mike ter Maat. This effort followed a joint partnership announced between the party and the Kennedy campaign. In response, Libertarian National Committee Secretary Caryn Ann Harlos signed and notarized certificates of nomination for Oliver and ter Maat, which were later submitted to the Colorado Secretary of State’s office. What followed was a dispute between the two factions over which candidate would be certified first.
Ultimately, the Secretary of State’s office confirmed Oliver’s place on the ballot, as shared in an email later made public on the LNC’s business list. The Kennedy campaign had also gathered enough signatures independently to guarantee Kennedy and Shanahan a spot on the Colorado ballot as an independent ticket.
God bless Harlos for saving the Colorado LP from that embarrassment.
Good on the LPCO for wanting to nominate Kennedy-Shanahan over Oliver-ter Maat.
Doubly good on the LPCO for dropping Kennedy-Shanahan now that they are selling out to Trump even worse than a fortnight ago.
But also good on the Kennedy-Shanahan campaign for avenging the LPCO, whether intentionally or not, against Harlos et al. using the LP’s joint fundraising agreement.
If the LPCO really wants to win respect from libertarians, it will next disaffiliate from the LINO LP and merge with Colorado’s American Constitution Party.