Libertarian Party of New Hampshire

Libertarian Party of New Hampshire is the state affiliate of the Libertarian Party operating within the U.S. state of New Hampshire. Founded in the early 1970s, it is one of the oldest continuously active state Libertarian organizations in the nation. The party focuses on promoting principles of individual liberty, limited government, and free-market economics within the framework of the New Hampshire Constitution and Constitution of the United States. It nominates candidates for local, state, and federal offices and has been involved in numerous ballot access and legal battles.

History

The party traces its origins to 1972, following the national founding of the Libertarian Party at a convention in Denver. Early organizers in New England worked to establish a presence in the Live Free or Die state, seeing its political culture as receptive to libertarian ideas. A significant early milestone was achieved in 1976 when the party's first presidential nominee, Roger MacBride, secured ballot access in New Hampshire. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, activists like Richard "Dick" Sanders and others focused on grassroots organizing and challenging state election laws. The party gained increased visibility in the 2000s through the campaigns of figures such as John Babiarz and involvement with the Free State Project, which encouraged libertarian migration to New Hampshire. Legal actions, including a notable 2014 lawsuit against the Secretary of State's office, have been a recurring theme in its efforts to lower ballot access barriers.

Political positions

The party's platform is derived from the core principles of the national Libertarian Party, emphasizing a strict interpretation of the Non-aggression principle. On economic issues, it advocates for the abolition of the Internal Revenue Service, the repeal of all state income and business taxes like the Business Profits Tax, and the elimination of regulatory bodies. Regarding civil liberties, it supports the repeal of the Patriot Act, the legalization of all drugs, the protection of Second Amendment rights without restriction, and the abolition of all victimless crime laws. On governance, it calls for withdrawing New Hampshire from all federal programs not explicitly authorized by the Constitution of the United States, ending state involvement in Common Core, and drastically reducing the scope of Executive Council and gubernatorial powers.

Electoral performance

The party's electoral success has been limited but has seen occasional breakthroughs in local and legislative races. Its most significant victory came in 1992 when Richard "Dick" Sanders was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives from Canaan, becoming one of the first elected Libertarian state legislators in the country. In federal races, presidential candidates like Gary Johnson in 2012 and 2016 and Jo Jorgensen in 2020 have typically garnered between 1% and 4% of the statewide vote. The party consistently fields candidates for the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives seats for New Hampshire's congressional districts, though they face significant challenges from the dominant Democratic and Republican parties.

Leadership and organization

The party is governed by a State Committee elected at its annual convention, with a Chairperson serving as the chief executive. The current Chair is Jilletta Jarvis. The Executive Committee handles day-to-day operations and strategic planning. The organization is divided into regional chapters aligned with New Hampshire's congressional districts and county committees to coordinate local activism. Key operational focuses include candidate recruitment, ballot access petition drives, litigation through its affiliated Libertarian Party of New Hampshire Legal Committee, and outreach at events like the Rochester Fair and Porcupine Freedom Festival. The party maintains a headquarters in Concord and operates under bylaws filed with the New Hampshire Secretary of State.

Notable members and candidates

Notable individuals associated with the party include former State Representative Richard "Dick" Sanders. Longtime activist and multiple-time gubernatorial candidate John Babiarz has been a prominent figure. Andrew B. Manuse served as a state representative before switching his registration. Jilletta Jarvis, the current chair, has been a candidate for the Executive Council of New Hampshire. Other significant candidates have included Brian Peacock for the United States Senate, Justin O'Donnell for Governor of New Hampshire, and John S. Garth for various state offices. Many members are also participants in the Free State Project, creating a significant overlap between the two libertarian-oriented groups in New Hampshire.

Category:Libertarian Party (United States) state affiliates Category:Political parties in New Hampshire Category:Organizations based in Concord, New Hampshire