The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire announced on Monday that it has endorsed Republican former President Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election, describing him as the best option for a “Free State of New Hampshire.”
In a statement on social media, the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire said its decision to back Trump was “not a light one” but that Trump offers the best platform for promoting its ideals. While the party acknowledged that “Donald Trump is not a libertarian,” it highlighted over half a dozen areas where his policies align with its values.
These areas include Trump’s pledge to pardon Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road marketplace; his record of “starting no new wars” when in office; his opposition to the “importation of anti-liberty migrants”; and his support for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. The party also praised indications from Trump that he might appoint individuals such as Elon Musk, Ron Paul, and Vivek Ramaswamy to federal positions aimed at reducing the size of government.
“The list of Trump promises could continue. We don’t take them as a given. Trump promises much and we are skeptical of promises from politicians. However, we know for certain what the Democrat alternative is: more socialism, more censorship, more taxes, more authoritarianism,” the party added.
Notably, the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire’s endorsement of Trump likely puts it in violation of national party bylaws adopted at the Libertarian National Convention earlier this year. According to Section 5 of the party bylaws, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of state affiliates, “[n]o affiliated state party shall endorse any candidate who is a member of another party for public office in any partisan election.”
The statement also alluded to Libertarian Party presidential nominee Chase Oliver, without mentioning him by name. Describing “a Libertarian on the ballot,” the party stated it could not support Oliver due to several positions it attributes to him as incompatible with its principles, including “time supporting tax-funded trans surgery for prisoners, advocating for literal murderers, and trying to kick our members out of the Libertarian Party entirely.”
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire previously stated that it would withhold support from Oliver’s campaign, stating at the time that Oliver “does not possess the necessary traits for libertarian victory.”
Update: After this article was published, the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire posted a screenshot on social media indicating that the Trump campaign began sending text messages to New Hampshire voters highlighting the party’s endorsement. The screenshot states that the endorsement comes from the “Libertarian Party (NH)” and encourages recipients to “Stand with the Libertarian Party.” It includes a disclosure that the message was sent on behalf of “Donald J. Trump for President 2024, Inc.”
“Michael Rectenwald has voted for (without explicitly endorsing) Trump”
Yeah, about that:
https://mrectenwald.substack.com/p/the-revenge-of-the-garbage
https://mrectenwald.substack.com/p/the-peculiar-phenomenon-of-libertarian
Chase Oliver is not a libertarian. This was a great, liberty minded move by New Hampshire.
Well, I guess this answers my question about whether Ron Paul is open to the idea of working under Trump:
https://x.com/RonPaul/status/1852493942283239458
“Donald Trump is officially endorsed by the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire for President.”
Oh no. Why?
“Donald Trump is not a libertarian.”
Very true. So why are you endorsing him?
“Trump is the best candidate for libertarians”
No. That would be Randall Terry. Trump as bad or worse for libertarians as RFK. Possibly even than Shiva. What you actually mean, is that you have resigned yourself to the reality that either Trump or Harris wins the election, and you’d rather it be Trump. So just say that.
“Started no new wars, a first in over three decades.”
He also did nothing whatsoever about nazi “Ukraine”‘s constant violations of the Minsk Agreements.
“Pledged to end the importation of anti-liberty migrants.”
Doubtful that he did. Even more doubtful that he can. Practically guaranteed that he won’t.
“Indicated he will appoint Elon Musk, Ron Paul, and Vivek Ramaswamy to shrink the federal government.”
Did he? I thought Musk floated the idea that Trump should appoint Paul, but that doesn’t mean he will do so by any stretch. Would Ron Paul even be willing to work under Trump?
“Received endorsements from the greatest libertarians in America, including Thomas Massie.”
Hah! If we want to call Massie a libertarian at all, then he is certainly nowhere near the greatest in America. Heck, he’s not even the greatest libertarian in Congress.
“Flirted with ending the income tax entirely.”
Again doubtful. Fun fact: If the government was reduced to its essential constitutional functions today, it could be funded entirely by 10% tariffs on imports and 5% tariffs on exports, without any other taxes of any kind whatsoever, and have some emergency funds to spare. How about Trump commits to that before libertarians start endorsing him?
“Trump promises much and we are skeptical of promises from politicians. However, we know for certain what the Democrat alternative is: more socialism, more censorship, more taxes, more authoritarianism.”
Fair enough.
“There is, technically, a Libertarian on the ballot. This Libertarian spends his time supporting tax-funded trans surgery for prisoners, advocating for literal murderers, and trying to kick our members out of the Libertarian Party entirely. We cannot support him, and he cannot win.”
Based.
“Endorsing Donald Trump is in the best interests of our ultimate goal: creating a Free New Hampshire”
Dubious, but go on.
“our mission is to create a state so radically free that both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris look like communists.”
Look like? They are! And you just endorsed one of them, claiming that was in the best interest of creating a Free New Hampshire…
“We must make sure that New Hampshire continues to repel progressives, socialists, communists, and leftists of all stripes.”
When has NH ever repelled them? NH is filled to the brim with them, and has been since long before any of us were born.
“For these reasons and more, the most popular Libertarian state affiliate in the country is endorsing Donald Trump for President.”
Dumb move – except for the part where it gets you disaffiliated – but I guess it still beats endorsing Chase Oliver.
But does another bylaws violation matter?
I got this text this morning and I was sickened by it. This is a violation of our principles, bylaws, and basic human decency. I will be very curious to learn in 30 years who is an intentionally disruptive agent, who is a useful idiot, and who is just a complete moron.
By-laws violation.
No one ever wants that kind of suspicion confirmed. No one ever really wants to have to say…
We told you so
Update: The Trump campaign is texting New Hampshire voters about the endorsement, according to a screenshot posted by the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire.
Luckily, the LPNH leadership couldn’t organize their way out of a wet paper bag, so their endorsement doesn’t mean squat.
Michael Rectenwald has voted for (without explicitly endorsing) Trump:
https://x.com/RecTheRegime/status/1853840113073303573
If you were suspicious of the Mises Caucus from the beginning, they (McArdle, Russell, Smith, Heise, Rectenwald, and sadly Woods) proved you right.