Colorado Politics

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson seeks home-state support

Back in his home state Saturday, Libertarian presidential candidate and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson deemed his third party the one that truly represents most Americans.

“I do think we represent the majority of Americans in this country – the majority of Americans in this country that are fiscally conservative, that are socially inclusive,” Johnson said in front of hundreds of supporters at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

Dressed in a buttoned shirt, blue jeans and sneakers, Johnson did not spend too much time talking about his opponents at the afternoon rally. But he hit back at Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s call to build a wall at the Mexico border.

“We should embrace immigration in this country,” Johnson said. “We should make it as easy as possible for someone who wants to come into this country to work to be able to get a work visa.”

He also promised to eliminate favoritism within the tax system, establish a balanced budget and legalize marijuana.

Johnson is continuing his effort to break through the two-party political barrier. He was joined by running mate Bill Weld, the former Massachusetts governor. The Libertarian ticket is polling below the 15 percent threshold needed for Johnson to participate in the televised fall presidential debates alongside Democrat Hillary Clinton and Trump.

Johnson’s state campaign co-chair Blair Dunn says the Albuquerque rally was designed to “get people pumped up and make sure people know that Gary is an option.” Johnson’s adult son and daughter also spoke.

A former two-time Republican governor, Johnson is running on a platform of fiscal conservatism and limited government, combined with more progressive positions on social issues.

Dunn said the Johnson campaign is well-positioned to attract voters who are disenchanted with both the Clinton and Trump campaigns. Johnson has won endorsements in New Mexico from several locally prominent Republicans, including former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White; state Sen. Lisa Torraco, of Albuquerque; and Dunn, an Albuquerque lawyer who is running for state Senate.

Johnson’s fundraising efforts took a big bounce upward in August. He says his campaign raised $2.9 million in the first two weeks of the month after running an online “money bomb” that asked for $15 donations by Aug. 15. That was more than Johnson raised during the first six months of the year, or during his entire 2012 Libertarian campaign for president.

In 2012, Johnson initially ran as a Republican before dropping out ahead of the primaries and securing the Libertarian nomination. He won nearly 1.3 million votes, or 1 percent of votes cast – far less than third-party candidates Ralph Nader in 2000 or Ross Perot in 1992.

Republican New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has steered clear of endorsing Trump, but also has said she won’t support Johnson or Clinton.

Libertarian presidential candidate and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson. left, takes the stage at the Albuquerque Convention Center after being introduced by his running mate Bill Weld during a campaign rally Saturday Aug. 20, 2016, in Alburquerque, N.M. (Jim Thompson/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Jim Thompson

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