Will the libertarian party ever win a statewide or national election?

[The Free North]

The party is becoming more and more popular, but will it ever reach the tipping point in the next 20-30 years? If so, where?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

They almost won a statewide office in Montana at one point, I think.

[The Free North]

They almost won a statewide office in Montana at one point, I think.

I figured the mountain west may our best shot at the moment given the smaller populations and libertarian leaning culture.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

They almost won a statewide office in Montana at one point, I think.

I figured the mountain west may our best shot at the moment given the smaller populations and libertarian leaning culture.

Indeed.

This was the race.

[Goldwater]

I could see them winning some statewide elections and possibly electing some Representatives, but I don't think they'll ever become a major party nationwide.

[DS0816]

The party is becoming more and more popular, but will it ever reach the tipping point in the next 20-30 years? If so, where?

Question should be: "Will the libertarians ever be able to get voters to buy what they are trying to sell?"

[TNF]

lolno

[Donerail]

If Johnson ran in NM maybe.

[DC Al Fine]

lolno

I could see one winning something like State Auditor in Wyoming.

[bore]

The most likely scenario, by far, is not in some perceived libertarian state like Alaska Wyoming, or New Hampshire (I think people on this site think that these states are far more libertarian than they actually are) as people in this thread are suggesting. More likely a popular governor or senator switches to libertarian midterm then runs for re election, a libertarian is the only candidate who is not hit by an akinesque scandal or a genuinely popular independent runs as a libertarian and wins in spite of his party. In other words it could happen in any state.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Lisa Murkowski considered seeking the Libertarian nomination after losing her Senate primary in 2010.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Lisa Murkowski considered seeking the Libertarian nomination after losing her Senate primary in 2010.

She'd still have joined the GOP caucus if she had gotten on the ballot in that fashion, so even if she had done that and won, I wouldn't consider that a victory for the LP.

[Blue3]

They have a better chance of gaining influence over the two main parties.

[Stranger in a strange land]

If they moderate a bit and broaden their appeal, then they'll have a shot at winning some state offices and congressional seats, but they'll never win the presidency.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

They hold four seats in the NH State House, IRC.

[SPC]

Would they have more success if they put their efforts toward winning an increasing amount of state legislative races until they had a real bench for statewide offices? That seems like it would be a more useful tool than giving people like me an option to vent at the ballot box every four years, if they are to exist as a separate party at all.

[The Free North]

Would they have more success if they put their efforts toward winning an increasing amount of state legislative races until they had a real bench for statewide offices? That seems like it would be a more useful tool than giving people like me an option to vent at the ballot box every four years, if they are to exist as a separate party at all.

Agree 100%

The party needs to focus its efforts on more local races first. You have to run before you can walk.

Furthermore if they prove that they can win smaller elections, more people wont feel like they are 'wasting their vote' and will seriously consider a third alternative that actually wins elections.