Barry Hess

Barry J. Hess II is an investor, business owner, writer and United States Libertarian Party activist. He was the Libertarian Party of Arizona nominee for U.S. Senate from Arizona in 2000 finishing 4th of 4 with 70,724 votes (5.06 per cent), and the Libertarian candidate for Governor of Arizona in 2002 (fourth of four with 1.66 per cent), 2006 (third of three with 1.97 per cent) and 2010.^{[citation needed]} Hess sought the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination in 2000. In 2008, Hess was named the vice president candidate in Arizona for the Boston Tea Party's candidate Charles Jay. Hess has been three times elected to precinct committeeman, is serving his third term as Vice-Chair of the Arizona Libertarian Party, and has been a regular National Convention speaker since 2000.^{[citation needed]} Hess is also a television and radio guest and host.^{[citation needed]}

Biography

After growing up in Florida, Ohio and New Hampshire, Hess earned a B.A. in English from Fordham University in 1979. After working in Manhattan Hess later relocated to Arizona and has served as vice-chair of the Arizona Libertarian Party.

Hess sought the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination in 2000, receiving only 6% of ballots cast in the Libertarian National Convention vote in which Harry Browne won the party's nomination. He went on to receive the Libertarian nomination in the Arizona Senate race. In the general election, where Hess ran against incumbent Republican Jon Kyl (who saw no Democratic opposition, Hess received 70,724 votes for 5.06 per cent of the total vote.

In 2002, Hess ran for Governor of Arizona as a Libertarian. During his 2002 campaign, Hess admitted to owing the Internal Revenue Service $47,000 in unpaid taxes. Running against Democrat Janet Napolitano, Independent Richard Mahoney, and Republican Matt Salmon, Hess received 20,356 votes for 1.66% of the total.

Hess declared his intention to run for Governor again in November 2005, but delayed his formal announcement as he deliberated whether to run as a Republican or as a Libertarian. In February 2006, Hess announced his candidacy as a Libertarian and was uncontested for his party's nomination. During the campaign, Hess was publicly endorsed by professional wrestler Sean Morley and by Republican Mike Harris, who was defeated in his own party's primary.

In the general election, Hess garnered 30,268 votes for 1.97 per cent of the total vote against Democrat Janet Napolitano and Republican Len Munsil.

In 2006, he appeared as guest on the TV show Louis Live to promote his candidacy for governor of Arizona along with over 150 speaking appearances.^{[citation needed]}

Hess announced his intentions to again seek the Arizona Governorship in February 2010 at the Arizona State Capitol.^{[citation needed]} Hess won the Libertarian nomination in a 4-way contest receiving 44% of the Primary vote.^{[citation needed]}

External links

• Hess for Governor