Austin Petersen: Difference between revisions
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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On social media and in interviews, Petersen has described himself as an [[Agnosticism|agnostic |
On social media and in interviews, Petersen has described himself as an [[Agnosticism|agnostic]].<ref name="reason">{{cite news|last1=Doherty|first1=Brian|title=Austin Petersen, the Conservative's Libertarian Presidential Candidate?|url=http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/11/austin-petersen-the-conservatives-libert|accessdate=August 7, 2016|work=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|date=May 11, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/ProducerPetersen/posts/960568230668824 |title=Austin Petersen via The Libertarian Republic |work=Facebook |accessdate=August 18, 2016 |date=September 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Petersen |first=Austin |url=https://twitter.com/AP4LP/status/729542247792947200?lang=en |title=Sure. It's a distinction, but the intellectually honest answer is agnostic. Technically everyone is an atheist in some way. |work=Twitter |date=May 8, 2016 |accessdate=August 18, 2016}}</ref> He grew up as a [[Christian]], though in a 2016 interview with [[Glenn Beck]], Petersen spoke about how the death of his mother changed his religious views: "When I was a young man, my mother died; and she was victimized by a pharmacist who diluted her chemotherapy drugs. I lost my faith and I never went back."<ref>{{cite av media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKYKpSQRB5w |title=Austin Petersen in studio on the Glenn Beck Show |publisher=YouTube |time=24:16 |date= 2016 |accessdate= 3 April 2017}}</ref> |
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Petersen resides in [[Kansas City, Missouri]].<ref name="kc"/><ref name="official"/> |
Petersen resides in [[Kansas City, Missouri]].<ref name="kc"/><ref name="official"/> |
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Revision as of 17:27, 31 July 2017
Austin Petersen | |
|---|---|
 Petersen at FreedomFest, July 2016 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Austin Wade Petersen February 19, 1981 Independence, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (after 2017) |
| Other political affiliations | Libertarian (until 2017) |
| Residence | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Alma mater | Missouri State University |
| Occupation | CEO of Stonegait LLC Publisher at The Libertarian Republic |
| Known for | Former 2016 Libertarian Party presidential candidate; 2018 Missouri Senate candidate. |
| Website | austinpetersen |
| This article is part of a series on |
| Conservatism in the United States |
|---|
 |
Austin Wade Petersen (born February 19, 1981) is an American producer, writer, political activist, and commentator. He was the runner-up for the Libertarian Party's nomination for President of the United States in 2016, finishing second place to former governor Gary Johnson with 21% of the vote.
On July 4, 2017, Petersen announced that he is running under the Republican Party in the 2018 Missouri Senate race.[1]
Early life and education
Petersen was raised on a farm in Peculiar, Missouri, the son of Donna and John D. Petersen. He attended Missouri State University, where he graduated with a degree in musical theater.[2][3]
Career
Early work
Petersen's early career included stints as a model and as a product demonstrator at FAO Schwarz; at the latter position, he briefly appeared during a Late Night with Conan O'Brien sketch filmed at the store.[2]
In 2008 Petersen worked for the Libertarian National Committee and the Atlas Network, assisting on the 2008 and 2012 presidential bids of former U.S. Representative from Texas, Ron Paul.[2] He was an associate producer at the Fox Business program Freedom Watch with Judge Napolitano, which aired from 2010-2012, and later went to work as director of production at the libertarian advocacy group FreedomWorks.[2][3] Petersen has also been a guest on the RT program The Big Picture with Thom Hartmann.[4]
Political positions
Petersen has voiced and published his rejection of the non-aggression principle.[5][6][7][8] During his presidential campaign, he affirmed a pro-life stance, as well as an opposition to the War on Drugs.[9] He is a non-interventionist on most matters of foreign policy and applies a free-market capitalist approach to economics. In the past, Petersen has stated that he is for an Ellis Island styled immigration protocol (while being against the welfare state).[10] He is a strong advocate of the Second Amendment and the right to freedom of association.
2016 presidential campaign
By 2015, Petersen was living in Kansas City, Missouri "behind a midtown QuikTrip" when he announced his candidacy in the 2016 Libertarian Party nominating convention for President of the United States.[2][11][12] Writing in the Los Angeles Times, he was described by Reason editor Matt Welch as "an eager libertarian dudebro on the make".[13]
Petersen called himself the "Bernie Sanders and Barack Obama" of the Libertarian Party due to his grassroots fundraising strategy.[9][14] After Ted Cruz terminated his campaign for the Republican Party's nomination for president, Petersen received the backing of Mary Matalin and Erick Erickson.[15][16] In many polls, he placed in the top three presidential choices for his party, along with opponents John McAfee and Gary Johnson. On May 29, 2016, at the Libertarian National Convention, Petersen lost the nomination to Johnson, getting second place on the second ballot.[17] Petersen congratulated Johnson on the win and gave him a replica of George Washington's pistol. Petersen then immediately began to criticize Johnson for his vice presidential pick William Weld, in response to which Johnson placed the replica into a garbage can. Petersen, thereafter, endorsed Johnson for president.[18][19][20]
Current activities
As of 2016, Petersen is the owner and CEO of a photo and video consulting firm called Stonegait LLC and is the founder of The Libertarian Republic and Liberty Viral, both libertarian news and commentary websites.[15][21][22]
2018 Senate campaign
In late June 2017, Petersen filed an exploratory committee to consider a run for the 2018 U.S. Senate election in Missouri.[23] On July 4, 2017, Petersen announced his bid to run as a Republican in the 2018 Missouri Senate race.[24]
- U.S. Representatives
- Bob Barr, former U.S. Congressman from Georgia and 2008 presidential candidate[25]
- State Legislators
- Eric Brakey, State Senator in Maine, and candidate for U.S Senate in Maine for 2018[26]
- Individuals
- Ron Coleman, legal scholar and journalist[27]
- B. Wayne Hughes, Jr., businessman and philanthropist[28]
- Mark Pellegrino, actor[29]
- Ryan Moran, Entrepreneur and founder of capitalism.com[30]
- Dave Rubin, host of The Rubin Report[31]
Personal life
On social media and in interviews, Petersen has described himself as an agnostic.[32][33][34] He grew up as a Christian, though in a 2016 interview with Glenn Beck, Petersen spoke about how the death of his mother changed his religious views: "When I was a young man, my mother died; and she was victimized by a pharmacist who diluted her chemotherapy drugs. I lost my faith and I never went back."[35]
Petersen resides in Kansas City, Missouri.[2][3]
See also
- Libertarian Party presidential primaries, 2016
- United States presidential election in Missouri, 2016
- Stossel Libertarian presidential forum, 2016
References
- ^ Petersen, Austin (July 4, 2017). "Why I'm running as a Republican for U.S. Senate". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f Montgomery, Rick (June 20, 2016). "Kansas Citian lost Libertarian Party race, but likely ran campaign of the future". Kansas City Star. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Petersen at a glance:". austinpetersen2016.com. Petersen for President. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ^ "Thom Hartmann Explodes at Libertarian over Life-Saving Healthcare". YouTube. January 25, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
- ^ "The Austin Petersen NAP Debate Is A Dream, And It Will All Be Over Soon". December 31, 2015.
- ^ "Austin Petersen's Case Against Libertarianism - Matthew Reece - Liberty.me". May 24, 2015.
- ^ "6 Reasons Why the Non Aggression Principle is Stupid - The Libertarian Republic". September 29, 2015.
- ^ Cook, Joshua (March 8, 2016). "Exclusive: LP Candidate Austin Petersen Responds to Colorado Debate Exclusion".
- ^ a b Watkins, Eli (June 22, 2016). "What is Libertarianism?". CNN. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ^ "Libertarian Presidential Candidate Austin Petersen Redeems Himself on the 'Glenn Beck Program'". PJ Media. May 25, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ Zeoli, Rich. "The Libertarian Candidate For President Wants Voters To Join A 'Generational Movement'". KYW-TV. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ^ Rogers, Brooke (May 19, 2016). "Can Austin Petersen Unite Disenfranchsied Republicans?". National Review. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ^ Welch, Matt. "Op-Ed Meet the libertarians — the #NeverTrump movement's last hope". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Welch, Matt (May 28, 2016). "Presidential Candidate Austin Petersen Says He's the "Bernie Sanders and Barack Obama" of the Libertarian Party". Reason. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ^ a b Nelson, Steven (May 4, 2016). "Libertarians Say 'Brave' Ted Cruz Should Endorse Them, Not Trump". U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ^ Doherty, Brian (May 25, 2016). "Austin Petersen Catches More Endorsements from the Media Right for His Presidential Campaign". Reason.com. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- ^ Libertarian Party National Convention (Live Video). Orlando, Florida: C-SPAN. May 29, 2016. Event occurs at 03:12:00. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
- ^ Chakraborty, Barnini. "Libertarian nominee accepts rival's gift of Washington replica pistol – then trashes it". Fox News. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
- ^ Chasmar, Jessica (June 2, 2016). "Gary Johnson tossed rival Austin Petersen's gift of George Washington's replica pistol in trash". Washington Times. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ^ Weigel, David (August 7, 2016). "Is Libertarian Gary Johnson a factor in Clinton-Trump matchup?". Washington Post. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- ^ Harper, Jennifer (March 31, 2016). "Libertarian hopefuls spar over Nazi-themed wedding cake on Fox Business Network presidential forum". Washington Times. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ^ Libit, Daniel (April 14, 2016). "Where are all the Ron 'Paulite' libertarians in 2016?". CNBC. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ^ Bentley, Robert (June 29, 2017). "Austin Petersen Forms Exploratory Committee For U.S. Senate". The Libertarian Vindicator. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
- ^ Gillespie, Nick; Keyser, Ian (July 4, 2017). "Exclusive: Libertarian Activist Austin Peterson Is Running for U.S. Senate...as a Republican! [Reason Podcast]". Reason. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Former Congressman Bob Barr Endorses Austin Petersen". Austin Petersen for US Senate. July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ^ "Sen. Eric Brakey on Twitter". Twitter. July 4, 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
- ^ "Ron Coleman on Twitter". Twitter. July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
- ^ "B. Wayne Hughes Jr. on Twitter". Twitter. July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
- ^ "Mark Pellegrino Endorses Austin Petersen for Senate". Austin Petersen for US Senate. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
- ^ "PROUD TO SUPPORT AUSTIN PETERSEN FOR SENATE". Capitalism.com. July 27, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ "Dave Rubin on Twitter". Twitter. July 4, 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
- ^ Doherty, Brian (May 11, 2016). "Austin Petersen, the Conservative's Libertarian Presidential Candidate?". Reason. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ^ "Austin Petersen via The Libertarian Republic". Facebook. September 9, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
- ^ Petersen, Austin (May 8, 2016). "Sure. It's a distinction, but the intellectually honest answer is agnostic. Technically everyone is an atheist in some way". Twitter. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
- ^ Austin Petersen in studio on the Glenn Beck Show. YouTube. 2016. Event occurs at 24:16. Retrieved April 3, 2017.