Wikipedia

Chase Oliver 2024 presidential campaign

The 2024 presidential campaign of Chase Oliver formally began on April 4, 2023, following the formation of an exploratory committee in December 2022. He officially received the presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party on May 26, 2024. Oliver is a libertarian political activist, as well as a sales account executive, and HR representative.[3] He was the Libertarian nominee in the 2022 United States Senate election in Georgia and the 2020 Georgia's 5th congressional district special election.[4]

Chase Oliver 2024 presidential campaign
Campaign2024 Libertarian Party presidential primaries
2024 United States presidential election
CandidateChase Oliver
Mike ter Maat
AffiliationLibertarian Party
StatusAnnounced: April 4, 2023
Official nomination: May 26, 2024
Lost Election: November 5, 2024
EC formedDecember 2, 2022
Key people
ReceiptsUS$441,080.90[2]
SloganEmpower Your Future
Chase Your Dreams
Website
https://www.votechaseoliver.com/

Background

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Oliver's first campaign for public office was in 2020, as the Libertarian nominee for the 2020 Georgia's 5th congressional district special election to replace John Lewis, who had died earlier that year. Oliver won 2% of the vote in that race and was eliminated during the blanket primary.[5]

He then became Libertarian nominee for the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Georgia, where he faced off against the incumbent Democratic Raphael Warnock and Republican Party challenger Herschel Walker.[3][6] Oliver participated in an October 2022 debate hosted by Georgia Public Broadcasting and debated against Warnock, as well as an empty podium representing Walker, who had declined to take part in the debate.[7] Oliver received over 2% of the popular vote in that race. Opponents contended that he was a spoiler candidate and that his votes forced the race, which was ultimately won by Warnock, into a run-off.[8]

On December 2, 2022, Oliver formed an exploratory committee to inquire into a possible run for the Libertarian presidential nomination in the 2024 United States presidential election.[9]

Campaign

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Announcement

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Chase's logo prior to his selection as Libertarian nominee at the 2024 convention.
 
Logo of Chase's running mate, Mike ter Maat, for his own candidacy prior to the convention.

On April 4, 2023, Oliver formally declared his candidacy for the Libertarian presidential nomination.[10][11]

Developments

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Oliver's campaign was supported by the Classical Liberal Caucus (CLC) during the primaries as a counterweight to the growing influence of the Mises Caucus.[12][13] The CLC denounced efforts by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump to seek the Libertarian nomination, stating that neither align with libertarian values, and that inviting them to speak at the convention would poach voters away from the Libertarian Party.[14]

Oliver was described by The Christian Science Monitor as a potential "opening in the middle" that may deliver a reprieve to "voters unhappy with both major-party front-runners" looking for representation from a younger generation.[15]

Throughout the summer of 2023, Oliver campaigned extensively in Iowa.[16][17] The Gazette described him as a "pro-gun, pro-police reform, pro-choice Libertarian" who is "armed and gay."[18] On August 19, 2023, he spoke at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox, becoming the first-ever third-party presidential candidate to speak at the event.[19]

Oliver filed to run in Oklahoma's "first Libertarian presidential primary election since the party was formally recognized in 2016". Alongside fellow Libertarian primary candidate Jacob Hornberger, Oliver achieved ballot access by collecting signatures from voters in each Congressional district.[20][21] He won the Oklahoma primary, which was held on Super Tuesday, on March 5, 2024, with 61% of the vote.[22]

In January 2024, Oliver and fellow Libertarian presidential primary candidate Lars Mapstead successfully collaborated to secure major party status and ballot access for the Libertarian Party of Maine.[23] Afterwards, Oliver went to Iowa in order to campaign ahead of the 2024 Iowa Libertarian presidential caucuses.[24][25] He won the Iowa caucus with 42.7% of the vote.[26]

On February 29, 2024, Oliver participated in a presidential candidates debate hosted by the Free & Equal Elections Foundation, alongside Party for Socialism and Liberation nominee Claudia De la Cruz, Green Party candidates Jill Stein and Jasmine Sherman, and fellow Libertarian candidate Lars Mapstead.[27][28]

On May 26, 2024, Oliver officially received the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination at the party's National Convention.[29] That same day, Mike ter Maat was selected as the Libertarian party's vice-presidential nominee and Oliver's running mate.[30]

On June 3, 2024, party chair Angela McArdle, a member of the Mises Caucus, released a video stating that she endorsed Oliver as a vehicle for Donald Trump's victory.[31][32] McArdle later said of Oliver's candidacy that he's "going to pull two to one from Biden, as opposed to Trump", and that since it would be challenging to get libertarians and right of center independents to vote for Oliver, "what makes the most sense is to lean into the spoiler effect for Joe Biden and the Democrats."[33]

Four state Libertarian parties, in Colorado, Montana, New Hampshire, and Idaho, have publicly "denounced" Oliver's nomination.[34] In the weeks following Oliver's nomination, the state Libertarian parties of Colorado and Montana formally rejected the LNC ticket, with the Colorado affiliate refusing to place him on the ballot.[35][36] In July 2024, it was announced the Libertarian Party of Colorado would place Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as its presidential nominee, rather than Oliver, whom they reportedly said was "insufficiently aligned with their principles."[37] However, the secretary of the national party submitted the required paperwork recognizing the Oliver/ter Maat slate, which the Colorado Secretary of State accepted. Kennedy will be listed on the ballot there as "Independent."[38]

 
From left to right: Oliver, Stein, and Terry at the Free and Equal debate in Las Vegas.

On July 12, 2024, Oliver participated in another presidential debate hosted by the Free & Equal Elections Foundation alongside Green Party presumptive nominee Jill Stein and Constitution Party nominee Randall Terry at Freedom Fest[39] The debate was moderated by the foundation's chair Christina Tobin, alongside congressman Thomas Massie.[citation needed]

The New York Times reported in October 2024 that Democratic-linked dark money groups were funding ads promoting Oliver, with the goal of eating into Donald Trump's vote share.[40]

Political positions

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Further information: Chase Oliver § Political positions

Abortion

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Oliver self-identifies as pro-choice but is opposed to taxpayer funding for abortion clinics. He has supported the Hyde Amendment in his 2022 senate campaign[41] and would support legislation to make it available nationwide.

Climate change

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Oliver supports letting the free market find the solution to climate change. He contends that if businesses are left alone, they will be incentivized to develop technologies that will eventually replace current carbon-based fuels.[42]

Electoral reform

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Oliver is a strong supporter of ranked-choice voting in the United States, which he has said would have prevented the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Georgia from going to a run-off by allowing voters to rank their preferred candidates when they voted the first time. He has also stated that ranked-choice voting would save millions of taxpayer dollars by allowing run-offs to be instant, while ensuring that winning candidates always get above 50% of the vote.[43] Rolling Stone called him the most influential Libertarian of the year.[44]

Economy

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Oliver supports free trade and opposes tariffs. He supports a balanced federal budget and reducing inflation, and has supported the idea of returning to the gold standard. He also supports ending the Federal Reserve.[45][46]

Foreign policy

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Oliver promotes a non-interventionist foreign policy, stating that "It's just not a great combination when you're exporting our weapons to autocrats around the world".[47] He has criticized both Presidents Biden and Trump for their foreign policy, believing that the both of them are "authoritarians" in nature. He supports the closure of all military bases and opposes foreign aid.[48]

Israel

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Oliver has condemned the October 7th attacks. Still, he has also been critical of the Israeli government on multiple occasions and has labeled the Israel-Hamas war as a "genocide". Oliver has called for a ceasefire.[49]

Oliver has additionally stated he would end all support to Israel and Ukraine, stating "While we offer moral support to our friends currently engaged with the enemy, we should not be contributing to extending the fight."[50]

Immigration

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Oliver supports an "Ellis Island-style immigration" system, stating: "If you're coming here to work and be peaceful, it's not my business."[17]

Ballot access

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Oliver ballot access for the 2024 presidential election, as of July 2024:
  Certified for ballot (47 states, 477 electors)[i]
  Registered write-in (3 states + D.C., 61 electors)[ii]

Oliver has achieved certified ballot access in at least 35 states as of July 2024.

Endorsements

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Organizations

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Notable individuals

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Polling

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Nationwide

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As of May 2024, Oliver has been included in two national presidential polls:[needs update]

Poll source Date Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Joe
Biden
Democratic 		Donald
Trump
Republican 		Robert F.
Kennedy Jr.
Independent 		Cornel
West
Independent 		Chase
Oliver
Libertarian 		Jill
Stein
Green 		Other/
Undecided
Data for Progress (D)/Zeteo May 1–2, 2024 1,240 (LV) ± 3.0% 40% 41% 12% 1% 0% 1% 5%
Data for Progress (D) March 27–29, 2024 1,200 (LV) ± 3.0% 41% 42% 8% 1% 1% 1% 6%

Statewide

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And one poll in Iowa:

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Donald
Trump
Republican 		Joe
Biden
Democratic 		Robert F.
Kennedy Jr.
Independent 		Chase
Oliver
Libertarian 		Other /
Undecided
Selzer & Co. June 9–14, 2024 632 (LV) ± 3.9% 50% 32% 9% 2% 7%[b]

Reception

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Criticism

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Oliver has been criticized by some conservative pundits as being "woke".[57] His nomination has been considered polarizing within the Libertarian Party, particularly those within the Mises Caucus. It has led to state parties to refuse to add him to the ballot, such as the Libertarian Party of Colorado which tried to place instead independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.[58][59] The Libertarian Party secretary Caryn Harlos sent Certificates of Nomination to state secretaries of state herself, and Oliver gained ballot access in Colorado as well, against the wishes of state party leadership.[60]

In September 2024, Oliver criticized the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's Twitter account for calling for the death of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.[61] In response, the party's account referred to Oliver with the homophobic slur "faggot" and labeled him an "infiltrating leftist snake".[62][63][64][65]

Results

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Chase Oliver received 635,551 total votes and 0.42% of the national vote, coming fifth in the nation. He achieved the Libertarian Party's lowest vote since the 2008 presidential election.

Oliver received 1.69% in North Dakota, his best state by percentage. Oliver also received over one percent of the vote in Utah and Wyoming.

Following the election, in an interview with Reason, Oliver stated the possibility of potentially running again in the 2028 elections.[66]

Notes

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  1. ^ Oliver on the ballot in:
  2. ^ Oliver registered write-in in:
    • District of Columbia (3)[51]
    • Illinois (19)[51]
    • New York (28)[51]
    • Tennessee (11)[51]

References

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  1. ^ Gibson, Brittany (June 27, 2024). "RFK Jr. wages war on CNN over being jilted by the debate". Politico. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  2. ^ "CHASE OLIVER FOR PRESIDENT - committee overview". FEC.gov. December 2022.
  3. ^ a b "The 'armed and gay' Senate hopeful who helped force Georgia's runoff". The Guardian. November 11, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  4. ^ DeFeo, T. A. | The Center Square (May 30, 2023). "Oliver sees 2024 as an opportunity for Libertarians to break out". The Center Square. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  5. ^ Georgia Secretary of State (September 30, 2020). "Results Summary". Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  6. ^ Melton, Elizabeth (January 17, 2022). "Press Release: Libertarian Party of Georgia Makes History at 2022 Convention with Full Slate of Statewide Candidates". Libertarian Party of Georgia. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  7. ^ King, Maya (October 17, 2022). "Warnock Hammers Walker in Senate Debate, Gesturing to an Empty Lectern". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  8. ^ Stuart, Tessa (November 12, 2022). "He Won 2 Percent of the Vote – and Could Decide Who Wins a Senate Seat". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  9. ^ Nunez, Gabriella (December 2, 2022). "Georgia Libertarian announces president exploratory committee". WXIA-TV. Atlanta. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  10. ^ Chase Oliver [@ChaseForLiberty] (April 5, 2023). "Are you ready to start Chase-ing Liberty with me? http://Votechaseoliver.com" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Fernandez, Madison (April 10, 2023) "What Republicans can do with their new supermajorities>PRESIDENTIAL BIG BOARD". Politico. April 10, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2024. THIRD-PARTY CORNER — Libertarian Chase Oliver, who ran for Georgia Senate last year and earned 2 percent of the vote, pushing the contest to a runoff, filed to run for president. He announced his bid last week.
  12. ^ Freed, Judah. "A Conversation with Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate Lars Mapstead". Colorado Times Recorder. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  13. ^ Gibson, Brittany. "Libertarians pick Chase Oliver as presidential nominee". Politico. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  14. ^ Fowler, Stephen. "Trump is a Republican. RFK is a Democrat. They're both wooing Libertarians". NPR. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Why 2024 could be a big year for third-party candidates". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  16. ^ Stewart, Scott (July 25, 2023). "Libertarian candidate visits Carter Lake". The Daily Nonpareil. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Eller, Donelle (August 19, 2023). "Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver in Iowa calls for 'cultural war ceasefire'". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  18. ^ Barton, Tim (July 23, 2023). "Who is Chase Oliver? Meet the Libertarian candidate running for president". The Gazette. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  19. ^ Opsahl, Robin (August 19, 2023). "Presidential candidates wrap up state fair political events". The Southwest Iowa News Source. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  20. ^ "Who is on presidential primary ballot in Oklahoma?". USA Today. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  21. ^ Stecklein, Janelle (December 12, 2023). "16 candidates file to appear on Oklahoma's presidential primary ballot". KGOU. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  22. ^ Sharfman, Alexandra (March 6, 2024) "Trump and Biden dominate Super Tuesday in Oklahoma", KTUL.com. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  23. ^ Kemp, Harrison (January 10, 2024). "Libertarian Party Earns major party status in maine". Libertarian Party of Maine. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  24. ^ Lathers, Addison (January 14, 2024) "Iowa Libertarians host a debate on the eve of the Iowa Caucuses. What they said:", Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  25. ^ Miller, Larry (2024-01-11). "OLIVER RETURNS TO IOWA FOR CAUCUSES". CHASE FOR PRESIDENT. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  26. ^ Bunge, Mike (January 16, 2024) "Libertarian Party of Iowa announces the winner of its statewide Presidential caucus", KIMT.com. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  27. ^ "Campaign 2024: Free and Equal Elections Presidential Debate". February 29, 2024 Retrieved March 22, 2024
  28. ^ Marantz, Andrew (March 11, 2024). "Libertarians and Socialists and Jill Stein - Oh, My!". The New Yorker. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  29. ^ Sommerlad, Joe (May 27, 2024). "Libertarian Party names presidential nominee – as RFK Jr crashes out of race and Trump fails to qualify". The Independent. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  30. ^ "Mike Ter Maat Wins the Libertarian Party Vice-Presidential Nomination |". May 26, 2024.
  31. ^ Fowler, Stephen (2024-06-21). "As voters suffer presidential election deja vu, Chase Oliver wants to be another option". NPR. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  32. ^ Doherty, Brian (2024-07-11). "The Libertarian Party vs. Chase Oliver". Reason.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  33. ^ Coaston, Jane (2024-06-17). "What Chase Oliver, the 2024 Libertarian Candidate, Believes". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  34. ^ As voters suffer presidential election deja vu, Chase Oliver wants to be another option
  35. ^ Redpath, Bill (June 11, 2024). "Libertarian Party of Colorado Announces It Will Not Place LP Presidential Ticket on the Ballot in that State". Ballot Access News. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  36. ^ Evans, Jordan Willow (5 June 2024). "Montana Libertarian Party Rejects Chase Oliver's Nomination; Urges LNC to Suspend Candidacy". Independent Political Report. Retrieved 11 June 2024.[better source needed]
  37. ^ "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be on Colorado's presidential ballot, but Libertarian dispute continues". August 1, 2024.
  38. ^ Kenney, Andrew (July 25, 2024). "RFK Jr. probably won't be the Libertarian nominee in Colorado, Chase Oliver will". Cpr.org. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  39. ^ "Free & Equal Presidential Debate – at FreedomFest July 12, 2024".
  40. ^ Schleifer, Theodore; Vogel, Kenneth P. (2024-10-30). "In Election's Final Days, Dark Money and 'Gray Money' Fund Hidden Agendas". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  41. ^ Fausset, Richard (November 9, 2022). "The Libertarian Who Helped Push the Georgia Senate Race Into a Runoff". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  42. ^ Weisbrod, Katelyn (October 26, 2022). "In Georgia, Warnock's Climate Activism Contrasts Sharply with Walker's Deep Skepticism". Inside Climate News. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  43. ^ McFall, Caitlin (November 10, 2022). "Georgia Senate Libertarian candidate says he will not endorse in Walker-Warnock runoff". Fox News. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  44. ^ Stuart, Tessa (November 12, 2022). "He Won 2 Percent of the Vote – and Could Decide Who Wins a Senate Seat". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  45. ^ @ChaseForLiberty (July 14, 2024). "Yes, I want to get rid of the Fed. Why? They are for the big banks and not YOU. We need to get back to a gold standard where our money is backed by and worth something" (Tweet). Retrieved July 15, 2024 – via Twitter.
  46. ^ Barton, Tim (July 23, 2023). "Who is Chase Oliver? Meet the Libertarian candidate running for president". The Gazette. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  47. ^ "Libertarian Candidates Can Change Presidential Outcomes. What Does the New Nominee Believe?". The New York Times. June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  48. ^ Garcia, Eric (May 28, 2024). "Who is Chase Oliver, the Libertarian Party candidate for president?". The Independent. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  49. ^ "Libertarians pick Chase Oliver for US president as Trump, Kennedy rejected". Al Jazeera. May 27, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  50. ^ "PLATFORM". Chase Oliver. November 11, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  51. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay "2024 Presidential Ballot Access by State". The Green Papers. Retrieved August 15, 2024.[self-published source]
  52. ^ @LP_CLC (May 10, 2024). "For PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, the Classical Liberal Caucus is proud to endorse Chase Oliver! You can donate to @ChaseForLiberty at http://votechaseoliver.com/donate" (Tweet). Retrieved May 29, 2024 – via Twitter.
  53. ^ @FCLPO (August 9, 2024). "County Party Candidate Endorsements The Franklin County Libertarian Party of Ohio is thrilled to fully endorse the following candidates for their respective elections. Chase Oliver for President, Mike ter Maat for Vice President" (Tweet). Retrieved August 11, 2024 – via Twitter.
  54. ^ a b c d e https://reason.com/2024/10/17/how-are-reason-staffers-voting-in-2024/
  55. ^ Birnbaum, Ben (2024-11-05). "Who's Gary Johnson voting for?". Reason.com. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  56. ^ Stossel, John (2024-07-24). "John Stossel: Unsatisfied with Trump and Harris? Consider Chase Oliver for president". Orange County Register. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  57. ^ Lahren, Tomi (July 11, 2024). "Libertarian Party Selects Woke Chase Oliver". Fox News. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  58. ^ Klamann, Seth (July 7, 2024). "Colorado's pro-RFK Jr. Libertarians face presidential ballot showdown with national party". The Denver Post. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  59. ^ Doherty, Brian (July 11, 2024). "The Libertarian Party vs. Chase Oliver". Reason. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  60. ^ Doherty, Brian (2024-10-10). "Libertarian Party secretary files lawsuit to remove party chair Angela McArdle". Reason.com. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  61. ^ @ChaseForLiberty (September 16, 2024). "I 100% condemn the statement from LPNH regarding Kamala Harris. It is abhorrent and should never have been posted. As Libertarians, we condemn the use of force, whether committed by governments, individuals, or other political entities. We are dedicated to the principle of non-aggression and to peaceful solutions to conflict. This is also something we pledge as part of attaining party membership. LPNH's statement should rightfully be condemned by all people" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  62. ^ McDuffie, Will; Kim, Soo Rin; Ibssa, Lalee; Walsh, Kelsey; Lash, Jolie (September 17, 2024). "New Hampshire Libertarian Party slammed for 'abhorrent' post about Harris". ABC News. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  63. ^ Libertarian Party NH [@LPNH] (September 16, 2024). "Chase Oliver is an infiltrating leftist snake who doesn't understand the basic principles of libertarianism. Hiding replies is faggot behavior" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  64. ^ Libertarian Party NH [@LPNH] (September 16, 2024). "Fuck off and read any book on libertarianism, you infiltrating leftist faggot" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  65. ^ Libertarian Party NH [@LPNH] (September 22, 2024). "Chase Oliver should be called a faggot for the rest of his life. Not because he's gay, but because he is sneaky, manipulative, and dishonest. You can't claim to be interested in dialogue and understanding while refusing to talk to anyone intelligent who disagrees" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  66. ^ Lancaster, Joe (November 11, 2024). "Chase Oliver Calls Libertarian Party Presidential Run 'Honor of My Lifetime'". Reason. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  1. ^ a b Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ^ "Someone else" with 3%, "would not vote" with 1%
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