The Libertarian Party has made a surprising choice for its 2024 election candidate, nominating Chase Oliver, a former Democrat and openly gay man, at a convention that featured appearances by Robert F Kennedy Jr and former president Donald Trump.
While the chances of Mr Oliver actually winning the presidency are slim, his candidacy could still have an impact on the upcoming election. The Libertarian Party has never gained much political traction, but Mr Oliver, a fixture in Georgia politics who has run for office multiple times, could draw votes away from both President Joe Biden and Mr Trump.
Mr Oliver’s journey to becoming a libertarian began in 2010 at the Atlanta Pride Festival, where he was inspired by a principled libertarian candidate. Since then, he has been a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform and has run for various political offices in Georgia.
As a pro-immigration and pro-criminal justice reform candidate, Mr Oliver could attract voters who are dissatisfied with both major parties. He has criticized the war between Israel and Hamas and called for peace around the world, positioning himself as a candidate who stands for limited government and individual freedoms.
While Mr Oliver’s chances of winning the presidency are slim, his candidacy could shake up the political landscape and provide voters with an alternative to the two major parties. As the 2024 election season heats up, all eyes will be on Chase Oliver and the impact he could have on the race.