Jo Jorgensen

Jo Jorgensen is an American academic and political figure who was the Libertarian Party nominee for President of the United States in the 2020 presidential election. A senior lecturer in psychology at Clemson University, her candidacy marked the second time a woman topped the Libertarian national ticket, following Tonie Nathan in 1972. Jorgensen and her running mate, Spike Cohen, advocated for a platform centered on limited government, non-interventionism, and free-market principles, ultimately receiving the second-highest popular vote total in the party's history.

Early life and education

Jo Jorgensen was born in Libertyville, Illinois, and grew up in the nearby suburb of Grayslake. Her early political awareness was influenced by the economic policies of the Jimmy Carter administration, which she has cited as a catalyst for her interest in libertarianism. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Baylor University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. Jorgensen then earned a Master of Business Administration from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University before completing her Doctor of Philosophy in industrial and organizational psychology at Clemson University in South Carolina.

Career

Jorgensen has built a career in academia and business, primarily centered at Clemson University where she serves as a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology. Her professional work focuses on industrial and organizational psychology, and she has taught courses on statistics and research methods. Outside academia, she has applied her expertise in roles within the private sector, including work as a software project manager. Her initial foray into politics began in the late 1980s and early 1990s, leading to her involvement with the Libertarian Party. She first gained national political attention as the party's nominee for Vice President of the United States on the ticket with Harry Browne during the 1996 presidential election.

2020 presidential campaign

Jorgensen secured the Libertarian presidential nomination at the party's 2020 Libertarian National Convention, held in Orlando, Florida, defeating contenders such as Vermin Supreme and Jacob Hornberger. She selected podcast producer and activist Spike Cohen as her vice-presidential running mate. Her campaign was formally launched in May 2020, with a platform emphasizing the drastic reduction of federal authority, an end to foreign military interventions, and the repeal of many Cabinet departments, including the Department of Education and the Department of Commerce. Despite legal challenges in several states, including Pennsylvania and New Hampshire, Jorgensen achieved ballot access in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In the general election against Donald Trump and Joe Biden, she received over 1.8 million votes, the most for a Libertarian candidate since Gary Johnson's 2016 tally.

Political positions

Jorgensen's political philosophy is rooted in the libertarian principles of individual liberty, small government, and free-market capitalism. She is a staunch advocate for non-interventionism in foreign policy, calling for the withdrawal of American troops from overseas conflicts and a closure of most foreign military bases. On economic issues, she supports the abolition of the Internal Revenue Service, the repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the elimination of most federal regulatory agencies. Regarding civil liberties, Jorgensen opposes the War on Drugs, advocates for criminal justice reform, and is a proponent of gun rights as outlined in the Second Amendment. Her platform also included the decentralization of education and the promotion of school choice programs.

Personal life

Jo Jorgensen resides in Greenville, South Carolina, with her husband, Steve Jorgensen, whom she married in 1980. The couple has two adult daughters. An avid proponent of practical self-sufficiency, she is a licensed amateur radio operator and has expressed interests in gardening and beekeeping. Jorgensen remains active in libertarian circles, frequently speaking at events for organizations like Students for Liberty and continuing her teaching duties at Clemson University.

Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:American libertarians Category:American political party founders Category:Clemson University faculty Category:Libertarian Party (United States) presidential nominees Category:People from Greenville, South Carolina Category:People from Lake County, Illinois Category:Women in South Carolina politics