Nicholas Sarwark

Nicholas Sarwark is an American political activist and attorney who served as the Chair of the Libertarian National Committee from 2014 to 2020. A prominent figure within the Libertarian Party, his tenure oversaw significant growth in party ballot access and national visibility, including the 2016 presidential campaign of Gary Johnson and William Weld. Sarwark is known for his advocacy of classical liberalism, free-market principles, and a non-interventionist foreign policy.

Early life and education

Nicholas Sarwark was born on October 17, 1979, in Denver, Colorado. He developed an early interest in political philosophy, influenced by the writings of Ayn Rand and Milton Friedman. Sarwark attended the University of Colorado Boulder, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. During his university years, he became actively involved with the Students for a Libertarian Society and various campus groups promoting individualist anarchism and limited government ideals, which solidified his commitment to libertarianism in the United States.

Libertarian Party involvement

Sarwark's formal involvement with the Libertarian Party began in the early 2000s, holding various local and state positions in Arizona. He was elected Chair of the Libertarian National Committee at the party's 2014 national convention in Columbus, Ohio, succeeding Geoffrey Neale. His chairmanship focused on professionalizing party operations, expanding ballot access for Libertarian candidates nationwide, and managing the contentious 2016 Libertarian National Convention in Orlando, Florida. Sarwark presided over the 2018 convention in New Orleans and the unprecedented 2020 online convention due to the COVID-19 pandemic, before concluding his term after the election of Joe Bishop-Henchman.

Political views and activism

Sarwark is a staunch advocate for the Non-aggression principle, drug liberalization, and the repeal of victimless crime laws. He frequently critiques both the Democratic and Republican parties for expanding the federal government and violating civil liberties. His activism extends to supporting Second Amendment rights, cryptocurrency adoption, and police reform initiatives. Sarwark has been a vocal participant in debates at institutions like the Cato Institute and has contributed commentary to media outlets including *Reason* and the Fox News Channel.

Career outside politics

Prior to his political leadership, Sarwark worked in the technology sector in Phoenix, specializing in information technology and web development. Following his term as party chair, he returned to legal practice, focusing on areas aligned with libertarian principles such as criminal defense and expungement law. He has also served as a consultant for various non-profits and political campaigns, leveraging his expertise in grassroots organizing and political strategy.

Personal life

Nicholas Sarwark is married to Alicia Sarwark, and the couple has two children. He resides in Phoenix, where he is active in local community organizations. An avid fan of science fiction, Sarwark often references works like The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein in discussions of political theory. He maintains a public presence through speaking engagements and his participation in podcasts such as the Libertarian Party Podcast.

Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:Libertarian Party (United States) politicians Category:American political party chairs Category:People from Denver Category:University of Colorado Boulder alumni