Politics in America usually feels like a two-sided shouting match. You’ve got the red team and the blue team, and they don’t seem to agree on much besides the fact that they both hate the third option. But if you’ve looked at your ballot recently or followed the 2024 election cycle, you probably noticed a name that doesn't fit the usual mold: Chase Oliver.
He’s the guy who officially became the who is the libertarian candidate for 2024 after a wild, seven-ballot marathon at the national convention in Washington, D.C.
Honestly, his rise to the top of the ticket was anything but certain. Most people haven't heard of him unless they live in Georgia, where he famously played "spoiler" in the 2022 Senate race. Now, he’s leading the Libertarian Party during one of the most polarized times in modern history.
The Man Behind the Ticket: Chase Oliver Explained (Simply)
So, who is he? Chase Oliver is a 39-year-old former restaurant worker from Atlanta. He doesn't come from a dynasty or have a billion dollars in the bank. He's a "professional nerd" and a Star Trek fan who identifies as "armed and gay."
That’s a combination that confuses both sides of the aisle.
He started out as a Democrat, mostly because he hated the Iraq War. By 2010, he realized the blue team wasn't quite his speed either, so he jumped ship to the Libertarians. He’s spent the last decade working in maritime trade and climbing the ranks of the Libertarian Party of Metro Atlanta.
The Wild Road to the Nomination
The Libertarian National Convention in May 2024 was basically a political circus. You had Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. both showing up, trying to woo the delegates. It was awkward. Trump got booed, and Kennedy was eliminated on the very first ballot.
It took seven rounds of voting for Oliver to clinch it. He was up against Michael Rectenwald, a former NYU professor backed by the more hardline Mises Caucus. In the end, Oliver beat out "None of the Above" with about 60% of the vote. His running mate is Mike ter Maat, a former police officer from Florida who also ran for the top spot before joining forces with Oliver.
What Does He Actually Believe?
People often think Libertarians are just "Republicans who like weed" or "Democrats who like guns." It's more complicated. Oliver’s platform is built on the idea that your life is yours, and the government should mostly leave you alone.
Non-Interventionist Foreign Policy
This is a big one. Oliver is aggressively anti-war. He has called the conflict in Gaza a "genocide" and wants an immediate ceasefire. He also wants to:
- Cut off all military aid to Israel and Ukraine.
- Close all overseas U.S. military bases.
- Abolish the PATRIOT Act.
He believes the U.S. shouldn't be the world's policeman. Period.
The Economy and "End the Fed"
If you've ever seen a Libertarian meme, you know they hate the Federal Reserve. Oliver wants to abolish it. He’s also a big fan of the gold standard and wants to slash the federal budget to stop inflation.
He views inflation as a "theft" from the working class. Basically, he wants to stop the government from printing money it doesn't have.
Social Issues and the "Armed and Gay" Stance
This is where Oliver diverges from the traditional GOP. He’s pro-choice, though he opposes using taxpayer money to fund abortions. He wants to end the death penalty, legalize cannabis nationwide, and pardon non-violent drug offenders.
On the flip side, he’s a staunch defender of the Second Amendment. He’s famous for saying, "Armed gays are harder to oppress." He sees gun rights as a fundamental tool for marginalized people to protect themselves.
Why the 2024 Libertarian Campaign Matters
In an election where many voters felt like they were choosing between the "lesser of two evils," Oliver tried to offer a "none of the above" alternative.
He didn't just want to be a protest vote. He wanted to reach the 41 million Gen Z and Millennial voters who are tired of the status quo.
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However, his nomination didn't come without drama. Some state parties, like those in Colorado and Montana, actually rejected his nomination. They felt he was too "left-leaning" for their tastes. It created a bit of a civil war within the party, with some factions even trying to put RFK Jr. on their state ballots instead of Oliver.
Ballot Access and Election Results
Despite the internal bickering, Oliver managed to get on the ballot in 47 states. That’s no small feat. Getting on the ballot as a third party is notoriously difficult and expensive.
In the final tally of the 2024 election, Oliver finished in fifth place. He pulled in about 650,126 votes, which is roughly 0.4% of the popular vote. His best showing was in North Dakota, where he snagged 1.7%.
While those numbers might look small, in a tight race, even 0.4% can change the outcome in swing states.
Actionable Next Steps for Curious Voters
If you're tired of the two-party system, you don't have to wait until the next presidential cycle to get involved. Here is how you can actually make an impact:
- Look into Ranked-Choice Voting: Oliver is a huge supporter of this. It allows you to rank candidates by preference, so you can vote for a third party without "wasting" your vote. Check if there are local initiatives in your state.
- Support Local Candidates: Third parties often have more success in city councils or state legislatures. Research the Libertarian, Green, or Forward Party candidates in your specific zip code.
- Engage with Policy, Not Just People: Don't just follow the "who." Look at the "what." Whether it's criminal justice reform or ending foreign intervention, find the specific issues that matter to you and join advocacy groups that focus on them.
The 2024 election might be over, but the debate over whether America needs more than two options is just getting started. Chase Oliver might not be in the White House, but he certainly forced people to acknowledge that there's a third door in the hallway of American politics.