The Libertarian Party of Florida is defending Addison Liberty Patrick, calling her its official candidate for an at-large seat on the Jacksonville City Council, after the Republican Executive Committee of Duval County filed a lawsuit seeking to remove her from the upcoming special election ballot.
Editorial note: This article was originally published on Independent Political Report’s Substack on June 30. A Duval County judge ruled on July 1 that Patrick may remain on the ballot for the Jacksonville City Council special election.
In an emailed statement sent June 30, the Libertarian Party of Florida Executive Committee defended Patrick, who is seeking the council’s At-Large Group 1 seat, as the “unquestionably qualified Libertarian candidate” in the race, noting she is both a member of the party’s Executive Committee and a former chair of the Duval County Libertarian Party. It further accused the Duval County Republican organization of attempting to limit voter choice through its challenge to her candidacy.
“By suing to remove a qualified Libertarian candidate, the RECDC is sending a clear message. That they, not the voters, are the true arbiters of who gets to appear on the ballot,” the party said. “The establishment seeks to act as a gatekeeper of our Republic, which deprives voters and candidates of their legal rights.”
First Coast News reported June 26 that the Duval Republicans filed the lawsuit to remove Patrick from the ballot on the final day of qualifying for the election, with their argument pointing to a recently amended Florida election law requiring candidates seeking the nomination of a political party to have been registered with that party for at least a full calendar year before the start of the qualifying period. The same law also allows other candidates or political parties with candidates in that race to challenge another candidate’s compliance in circuit court.
Local Republicans reportedly argue that Patrick was a Republican too recently for her Libertarian candidacy to comply with the amended law. However, Patrick has asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the law is being misapplied as it relates to the Jacksonville special election and that the complaint otherwise fails to establish that she is seeking the Libertarian Party’s nomination in the way covered by the statute.
The special election, which is partisan, will take place on August 18, 2026. A runoff between the top-two highest vote-getters will be held on November 3 if no candidate secures a majority.
The Libertarian Party of Florida warned that, if the challenge against Patrick succeeds, it could invite similar challenges against other Libertarian candidates, candidates outside the two major parties, and candidates affiliated with newer political parties. It also echoed her defense that the statute is unconstitutional as it is currently being applied and said the courts should defer to the Libertarian Party’s own clear association standing rule for recognizing its candidates.
The party also included a formal resolution adopted by state leadership on June 30, officially stating that Patrick is a party member and the official Libertarian Party of Florida candidate for Jacksonville City Council At-Large Group 1. The resolution further condemned any attempt by a rival political party to define Libertarian Party membership or candidacy and encouraged party supporters to assist with Patrick’s campaign.
“One party can now weaponize the courts and a brand-new statute to eliminate opponents before voters have their say,” the party said. “Today it is the Libertarians, tomorrow it could be any group offering real alternatives to the establishment.”
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