Ben Weir, the Region 6 Alternate on the Libertarian National Committee, has called for the Libertarian Party of Ohio to be disaffiliated if it chooses to field a challenger against Vivek Ramaswamy, who formally announced a Republican bid for state governor this week.
Speaking at a rally in Cincinnati, Ramaswamy announced Monday that he will run in the 2026 state gubernatorial election, becoming the third Republican candidate 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 thus far declare their candidacy. Independent Political Report has not identified any announced third party or independent candidates at this time.
In response to Ramaswamy’s bid, Ben Weir, the Region 6 Alternate on the Libertarian National Committee, made public remarks on X urging libertarians to back Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial campaign and suggested that if the Ohio affiliate decided to field 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 It is unclear when exactly Weir rescinded his resignation, but he is still reflected as the current alternate member on the Libertarian Party’s website, and remarks on social media suggest he continues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 actively 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.
Weir makes a lot of nonsense social media postings to get reactions (it’s something they do in NH apparently). Has anyone asked if he was serious about disaffiliation? Even in this article he does not “when pressed”.
Not sure this is the type of story that deserves IPR’s attention.
Throwing around the national party’s weight to effectively try and blackmail state parties to get in line with the LNC’s agenda, isn’t very libertarian.
But you do have to admit that Ramaswamy is more libertarian, less unlibertarian, less anti-libertarian, than anyone whom or anything which the LPOH has fielded for any office in many years – possibly ever!
Unfortunately for Weir, ends do not justify means.
So this LNC alternate wants to disaffiliate a state affiliate for doing what it needs to do and is supposed to do to get and keep ballot access?
I think his region needs to disaffiliate him instead.
After I made my comment, I realized Ben Weir lives in New Hampshire, not Ohio.
Ben Weir could perhaps talk to any state legislators he may know, and ask for a bill to change the definition of a qualified party, to one that polls 3% for any statewide race, not just Governor/President. We make huge gains when we lobby. We have successfully improved the definition of a qualified party in over half the states in the last 40 years. I sincerely hope he sees this comment and that he likes the idea.