The chair of the Libertarian Party of Tennessee is encouraging dissatisfied Republicans to consider joining the Libertarian Party, arguing that the GOP can no longer be reformed and that frustrated conservatives may find solidarity among Libertarians.
In a statement originally published October 31, several days before the general election, Libertarian Party of Tennessee Chair Josiah Baker offered his thoughts on Tennessee politics over the past year, wherein he criticized the state’s Republican establishment for prioritizing the interests of the Republican Party over addressing government spending and issues he considers important to conservative voters. He cited his past experiences attending Republican events and interacting with its members, which he said convinced him the organization cannot be reformed.
“I have seen in Tennessee, a GOP that not only ostracizes but alienates Constitutional conservatives and punishes those who dare speak out against the Borg of big government,” Baker said. “Any Rep, local chair, or constituent that dares speak out to reign in the spending and bloat is put on an island akin to late-term Saint John. And those folks see the same Revelation for the constituent body John did.”
Baker also took issue with what he called “late-stage Trumpism,” accusing Republicans of exploiting the president’s political influence for personal gain and suggesting that conservatives who have spent years unsuccessfully trying to change the direction of the Republican Party should consider becoming involved with the Libertarian Party instead.
“For those those that feel forsaken from years spent in vain fighting for something that bears a glimmering resemblance of what our forefathers penned into existence, I beseech you to reach out in DM or comment, because imo truly believe you have a home with us in The Libertarian Party of Tennessee with what we are forging together,” Baker continued. “Not just for our state, but for this country. A place of agreement and coalition vs. the monolith of the out-of-country monolith Establishment.”
Particularly notable in Baker’s statement is that he signs off with a link to the American Liberty Party, including the website for the new project despite the statement coming from him in his capacity as chair of the Libertarian Party of Tennessee.
At the time of Baker’s statement, the American Liberty Party had just been announced by Mises Caucus founder and former chair Michael Heise, who said the project would focus on converting the Libertarian Party into an organization palatable to disgruntled adherents of the America First movement. That included recruiting outgoing U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky for a prospective 2028 presidential bid.
Since that initial announcement, organizers have published a white paper explaining the strategy behind the effort, which includes sending enough delegates to the Libertarian Party’s upcoming national convention in El Paso, Texas, to take control of the party and change aspects of the national organization, including its name. They argue the approach would allow them to use the Libertarian Party’s developed infrastructure without needing to contend with the costs of building a new party from the ground up.
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