Libertarian Party of Michigan


The Libertarian Party of Michigan is a Michigan state political party advocating a libertarian ideology and the state affiliate of the Libertarian Party of the United States. The party gained primary ballot access status in 2016 because of the vote total of presidential nominee Gary Johnson. The party lost their status since their 2018 gubernatorial nominee Bill Gelineau failed to reach that threshold in the general election.
Several Libertarians have held public office in Michigan, most at the local level. The party is a member of the Michigan Third Parties Coalition which advocates changes in Michigan's election laws.

History

Libertarian Party of Michigan was founded in 1972. In the mid-1990s, the party had 1,500 dues paying members. The party was down to 800 such members in 2004. The party had a candidate in every congressional race in 2000 but failed to repeat in 2002. For 2004, the party had candidates in all 15 congressional races and 21 state House races in 2007, the party joined with the existing third parties to form Michigan Third Parties Coalition lobbying group.
In 2016, Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson won 172,136 votes in Michigan, qualifying the state party for a primary election in 2018. The only contested election on its primary ballot is for governor with Grand Rapids businessman Bill Gelineau and retired teacher John Tatar.

Libertarians in public office

Elected libertarians currently in public office