The United States Transhumanist Party has endorsed Hunter Rand in his campaign for Sparks City Council, making him the first candidate formally backed under the party’s electoral coalition effort with the U.S. Pirate Party.
In a January 19 statement, the Transhumanist Party said it made the decision to formally endorse Rand earlier this month following an episode of Virtual Enlightenment Salon, the party’s recurring program for discussion of transhumanist ideas and policy applications. According to the party, the session focused on Rand’s views on local governance, public policy, and the role of technology in addressing challenges facing the city.
“The conversation with Hunter Rand showed him to be a thoughtful advocate for using technology in effective ways to address the problems facing Sparks, while being mindful of the implications for privacy, civil liberties, and due process,” the statement read. It further praised Rand for engaging extensively with viewer questions and discussing his policy priorities in depth.
Rand is seeking the Ward 2 seat on the Sparks City Council later this year, running in a nonpartisan election. The U.S. Pirate Party previously endorsed his candidacy in November 2025.
The endorsement comes as part of the All Hands for a Free Future coalition, which the Transhumanist Party entered into with the Pirate Party in September 2025. Under the agreement, the parties have committed to supporting select candidates whose policy views broadly align with the shared principles of both groups, including candidates running on other ballot lines.
In remarks made during the January 11 Salon episode, Rand acknowledged that his personal views may differ from those of some constituents, but that he views authenticity and accessibility as central to public service. He added that he is also focused on making incremental improvements within the city.
“My belief is I shouldn’t not do something because I’m afraid of how it looks,” Rand said. “I just want to be authentically me, and I think it’s more honest. I’ve got some personal beliefs that some people might not agree with, but I’m still going to do my best to represent everyone in this neighborhood and our visitors and our guests and just be better.”
U.S. Transhumanist Party Chair Gennady Stolyarov II said the decision to back Rand’s campaign reflects the organization’s interest in candidates focused on long-term policy planning and constituent service, adding that Rand’s comments demonstrated what he viewed as the “spirit of public service.” Daniel Twedt, the party’s director of community and citizen science, also praised Rand’s remarks as reflective of what he called “a culture of continuous improvement.”
Stolyarov further remarked that the endorsement is an early step in expanding cooperation under the All Hands for a Free Future coalition, and that the Transhumanist Party expects to engage with additional candidates endorsed by the Pirate Party, as well as those who may receive its backing later in the 2026 election cycle.
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