Members of the Libertarian Party have chosen former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson as their nominee for president at their party convention in Orlando, Florida. Johnson was also the nominee in 2012.
In the first round of voting, Johnson reached 49.5 percent of the vote, according to the official party total, just shy of the majority needed for victory. His nearest opponents, Austin Petersen and John McAfee, reached 21 and 14 percent respectively. On the second round of voting, Johnson clinched the nomination with 55.8 percent of the vote.
In 2012, Johnson only received 1% of the vote, but he might fare better this year with two “unpopular offerings.”
A recent poll had Johnson receiving 10% of the vote among registered voters. Coupled with another poll showing 44% of registered voters would like a 3rd option for president, Johnson might do very well with a field offering Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
The Libertarian Party is the only other party that has access to the ballot in all 50 states, reports CNN.
Just before the nomination vote, Johnson said if he were to win the nomination, he would head to New York on Monday for media opportunities.
If the Libertarian Party is ever going to make a difference, this is the year to do it.
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