The Libertarian Party of Colorado announced this month that Hope Scheppelman is the first candidate to sign its Federal Candidate Pledge for Liberty for the 2026 cycle. Scheppelman is running in the Republican primary for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District against incumbent Rep. Jeff Hurd.
In a September 11 statement, the party said Scheppelman signed the pledge, committing to advance libertarian principles if elected. A copy of her responses included with the statement shows she agreed to all the policy positions outlined in the pledge, including abolishing the Department of Education, pardoning Edward Snowden, and repealing the 16th Amendment.
“Like all great American patriots, the Libertarian Party of Colorado respects and follows our U.S. Constitution and upholds the supremacy of individual freedom,” Scheppelman said. “If elected to congress, I will work hard every day to advance our shared values against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
The pledge was first introduced in 2023, with the party reaching out to both state Republicans and Democrats, though only the Republican version specified a list of policy priorities. It has since become central to the party’s effort to influence competitive races, with party leaders calling it a “candidate accountability and spoiler prevention strategy.” The party has also created versions tailored for state, local, and gubernatorial candidates.
In 2024, Libertarian Eric Joss ended his campaign in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District and endorsed Republican challenger Gabe Evans after Evans signed the pledge. The party said it also approached incumbent Rep. Jeff Hurd that cycle to solicit his support, but he declined.
Updated versions of the pledge for the 2026 cycle were released in August, including new provisions for federal candidates. These include support for auditing and eliminating foreign aid spending, expanded whistleblower protections, limits on emergency powers, and commitments to food freedom, medical autonomy, and Second Amendment rights. The revisions also call for repealing the National Firearms Act and backing the work of the Department of Government Efficiency.
“The Liberty Pledge has a long record of uniting Liberty candidates around real solutions that empower individuals and limit government overreach,” said Hannah Goodman, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Colorado. “Hope Scheppelman’s signature reflects not only a commitment to these principles, but also the growing momentum of the Libertarian movement in Colorado heading into the 2026 midterms.”
In the same statement, Executive Director James Wiley suggested that if Scheppelman wins her primary, the Libertarian candidate in the race could consider withdrawing and endorsing her. “They will have to decide if being a spoiler achieves the best outcome for Liberty or not,” Wiley added. “This is exactly why the pledge exists—to give voters and candidates a way to work together without compromising core principles.”
The Libertarian Party of Colorado said it will continue promoting candidates who take the pledge as part of its broader strategy for the 2026 election cycle.
I wonder if Scheppelman understands that this pledge has no teeth and no Libertarian candidate could be prohibited from running or be forced to withdraw because of it.