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Mises Caucus

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Not to be confused with the Mises Institute or Ludwig von Mises.
Mises Caucus
Libertarian Party Mises Caucus
AbbreviationLPMC[1]
Named afterLudwig von Mises
Formation2017
FounderMichael Heise
TypeParty caucus
Registration no.C00699785[2]
Legal statusPolitical Action Committee
PurposePolitical realignment of the US Libertarian Party behind the ideas of Ron Paul
HeadquartersNorristown, Pennsylvania[2]
Revenue (2021)
Increase US$568,890.55[4]
DisbursementsIncrease US$484,907.97[4]
Websitelpmisescaucus.com

The Libertarian Party Mises Caucus (LPMC) is a caucus within the Libertarian Party in the United States that advocates for a strict interpretation of libertarian principles based on the ideas of economist Ludwig von Mises, and is associated with the presidential campaigns of former U.S. congressman Ron Paul. It was founded in 2017 by Michael Heise, mainly in opposition to Nicholas Sarwark's position as party chairman and the pragmatic faction of the party associated with the presidential campaigns of former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson.

The caucus has support of some prominent libertarians, such as comedian Dave Smith, political commentator Tom Woods, and radio host Scott Horton.[5][6] Ron Paul once called the caucus "the libertarian wing of the Libertarian Party."[7][8]

The Mises Caucus has shifted the Libertarian Party further toward the right ever since their party’s national convention in May 2022.[8] As of 2024, the Mises Caucus controls the positions of Secretary and Chair on the Libertarian National Committee as well as 37 state affiliates.[9][10]

History

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Founder and chairman Michael Heise at the 2022 Libertarian National Convention

2017–2018

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In August 2017, in the aftermath of the Unite the Right rally, Libertarian National Committee chairman Nicholas Sarwark and vice-chairman Arvin Vohra criticized the leadership of the Mises Institute think tank – specifically president Jeff Deist and senior fellow Tom Woods – for making nationalist statements in the weeks prior to the rally, particularly in an article written by Deist which included the phrase "blood and soil". Sarwark also criticized Woods's defense of Murray Rothbard's paleolibertarian strategy, while Vohra accused the Mises Institute of being white nationalist and alt-right. The Mises Caucus formed in the aftermath of this feud to oppose Sarwark, and became one of the fastest-growing factions within the Libertarian Party.[11][12] The caucus is named after the economist Ludwig von Mises and is "dedicated to [his] beliefs and works".[13][better source needed]

In February 2018, the Mises Caucus endorsed LNC member Joshua Smith to challenge Sarwark for party chair in the 2018 Libertarian National Convention. Sarwark defeated Smith, 65–22%. The day prior to the convention, Woods and the caucus organized a parallel event called the Take Human Action Bash, featuring Scott Horton and Ron Paul as speakers, with the latter calling the caucus "the libertarian wing of the Libertarian Party".[11]

2019–2021

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In 2019, the Mises Caucus launched a political action committee, Mises PAC, to raise money for Libertarian candidates.[14][non-primary source needed]

The caucus supported Jacob Hornberger's campaign in the 2020 Libertarian Party presidential primaries and again endorsed Smith for party chairman.[15][16] Both were defeated in their respective races at the 2020 Libertarian National Convention.[17][18]

In June 2021, the Mises-controlled New Hampshire state affiliate (LPNH) made controversial tweets calling for "legalizing child labor", repealing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and re-opening Gitmo "so that Anthony Fauci and every governor that locked their state down can be sent there".[9] In response, LPNH chair Jilletta Jarvis took control of the state party's digital assets and Twitter account and disavowed the Mises Caucus members of the state party committee.[9][19][20] This move was widely condemned by many in the caucus (and some in the party outside the caucus), including 2020 vice presidential nominee Spike Cohen and former U.S. congressman Justin Amash. LNC Chair Bishop-Henchman moved for the LNC to disaffiliate the LPNH, alleging that the Mises faction had violated the national party's Statement of Principles. Both Jarvis and Bishop-Henchman resigned from their positions after the LNC rejected the disaffiliation motion.[9][19][21]

2022 takeover of the LNC

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In 2021, Mises Caucus board member Angela McArdle announced her intention to run for party chair.[22][23] She was later endorsed by the caucus.[24] At the 2022 Libertarian National Convention, McArdle won the party chair election with over 69% of the vote. The caucus also won all the leadership positions on the LNC, and thus completed the takeover of the Libertarian Party by the Mises Caucus.[25]

In response to the Mises Caucus-controlled LNC, the Libertarian Party affiliates in the States of New Mexico, Virginia, and Massachusetts disaffiliated from the national Libertarian Party; in late 2022, the former affiliates formed the Association of Liberty State Parties.[26]

In April 2022, the Keystone Party of Pennsylvania splintered off from the Libertarian Party as a result of the that year's Mises Caucus takeover in the state.[27]

In 2023, the Libertarian Party of Michigan entered a leadership dispute stemming from the July 2022 removal of its Michigan Mises PAC-affiliated chair.[28][29] This led to a subsequent trademark lawsuit filing by the LNC.[30]

Since the 2022 takeover of the LNC, the largely Mises Caucus-aligned leadership has overseen a decline in party revenue.[31]

The Mises Caucus has backed Michael Rectenwald in the 2024 Libertarian Party presidential primaries.[32]

Political positions

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Platform

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The Mises Caucus platform states that they:

Other positions

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Party "Takeover"

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Prior to the 2022 Libertarian National Convention, the Mises Caucus was highly critical of the Libertarian National Committee and the pragmatic faction of the party, and stated their goal was to "takeover" the Libertarian Party and realign it closer to Ron Paul's presidential campaigns and the Mises Institute.[9] The caucus has accused many in the party outside their caucus of supporting political correctness and "wokeism" and being "SJW friendly".[9][11]

Angela McArdle, a board member of the Mises Caucus, said in 2021 that the party should be ideologically closer to Ron Paul than Gary Johnson, and that Johnson didn't "put a fire in anyone's hearts".[23]

COVID-19

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, the caucus strongly opposed lockdowns,[34] mask mandates, vaccine passports and vaccine mandates.[9][21] The Mises Caucus also criticized the wider party for being silent and "not taking a stand".[35][36]

Electoral strategy

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The Mises Caucus believes the Libertarian Party should focus running political candidates for local offices rather than the statewide or federal offices, since they view the latter as too unrealistic.[37] Additionally they believe in working with the Republican Party to achieve policy objectives, rather than running candidates against them, particularly in statewide and federal offices.[38][39]

Political activity

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Inside the Libertarian Party

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Chair of the Libertarian National Committee
Election Candidate Result Final %
2018 Joshua Smith[40] Lost 22%
2020 Joshua Smith[16] Lost 39%
2022 Angela McArdle Won 69%
2024 Angela McArdle[41] Won 53.44%

2020

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U.S. President

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Candidate Office Primaries Primary result Final % General result %
Jacob Hornberger[15] President of the United States 2020 Libertarian Party presidential primaries Lost at convention 28% Did not qualify N/A

2024

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U.S. President

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Candidate Office Primaries Primary result Final % General result %
Michael Rectenwald[32] President of the United States 2024 Libertarian Party presidential primaries Lost at convention 45% Does not qualify N/A

U.S. Vice President

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Candidate Office Primaries Nominating result Final % General result %
Clint Russel[42] Vice President of the United States None[a] Lost 47% Does not qualify N/A

Criticism

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The Mises Caucus has been highly controversial within and outside the Libertarian Party.[9][11] The Southern Poverty Law Center classifies the group as far-right.[43] The caucus has been accused of harboring racists,[9] anti-semites,[44] and transphobes.[9][21] The caucus strongly denies these claims.[b]

In his resignation letter as LNC chair, Bishop-Henchman accused the Mises Caucus of having a "toxic culture" and "bad actors" that is "destroying and driving people away from the party".[9][19][21] In June 2021, former congressman Justin Amash criticized the Mises-controlled New Hampshire affiliate for "edgelording" and being unprofessional in their messaging.[45][46]

Former New Hampshire legislator Caleb Q. Dyer criticized the caucus for claiming neutrality in the culture war "while picking the right-wing side", and called it disingenuous.[9]

In December 2021, Jeremy Thompson, Libertarian Party of Massachusetts Director of Operations explained to the Libertarian National Committee how the comments from Mises-controlled Libertarian Party of New Hampshire were not just "mean words" but "actual harassment".[47]

In May 2022, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) said that "Members of the Libertarian Party are concerned about the Mises Caucus winning control of the party at the May 26 national convention, ushering in an era of collaboration between the U.S.'s largest third party and the hard-right movement inside the Republican Party".[48] The SPLC said that Caucus chair and founder Michael Heise had cited donations received from Patrick M. Byrne and nominated Daryl Brooks for Governor of Pennsylvania.[48] Both Byrne and Brooks promoted the conspiracy theory that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump, the SPLC said.[49][50]

Notes

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  1. ^ The Libertarian Party nominates their candidates for President and Vice President (VP) separately. Libertarian VP candidates run their own campaigns before the nomination, but do not participate in the primaries
  2. ^ Mises Caucus chair Michael Heise denies the charges of racism, arguing their appeal is among "youths who are into edgy podcasts".[25] Dempsey, member of the Mises-controlled LPNH affiliate said "I passionately reject the notion that Mises Caucus is completely, or filled with, racists or bigots".[9]

References

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  1. ^ Rozsa, Matthew (15 February 2021). "Marjorie Taylor-Greene's anti-Semitism is as American as apple pie (but Trump made it worse)". Salon. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Statement of Organization – Mises PAC" (PDF). Federal Election Commission. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Meet the Team". Libertarian Party Mises Caucus. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Mises PAC Report of Receipts and Disbursements – Year-End 2021 (amended)". Federal Election Commission. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  5. ^ Molinari (2018-07-13). "Tom Woods, Dave Smith, and Jason Stapleton Join the Libertarian Party". The Libertarian Republic. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  6. ^ Aaron (2018-09-09). "Rejoining the Libertarian Party with the Mises Caucus". Things Not Seen. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  7. ^ Ron Paul's Message to the Mises Caucus. LP Mises Caucus. 2021-01-17. Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-14 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ a b "Libertarian Party Is Fighting a Civil War Over Its Right-Wing Mises Caucus". The Daily Beast. 2023-02-22. Archived from the original on 2023-02-22. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Inside the Battle Over the Soul of the Libertarian Party". Reason.com. 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  10. ^ "'By Our Fruits, You'll Know Us': The Mises Caucus Mastermind". Reason.com. 2022-06-16. Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  11. ^ a b c d "Libertarian Party Rebuffs Mises Uprising". Reason. 2018-07-04. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  12. ^ "Libertarians Tell White Nationalists, Racists to Leave Party". IVN.us. 2017-08-18. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  13. ^ "Ron Paul Attacks Libertarian Leadership in Response to Controversy – 71 Republic". 2018-02-04. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  14. ^ "Mises PAC Launch". Libertarian Party Mises Caucus. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  15. ^ a b Welch, Matt (12 May 2021). "The Libertarian Party Critique of Justin Amash". Reason. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  16. ^ a b Libertarian Party Mises Caucus [@LPMisesCaucus] (2019-12-11). "Fed up with Libertarian Party leadership? The LPMC is endorsing @JoshuaAtLarge to replace Nick Sarwark. Joshua is traveling to as many state conventions as he can to build relationships and ultimately gain delegate votes to become chair. Lets get him there https://t.co/hEdhIkCXqE" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-14 – via Twitter.
  17. ^ Doherty, Brian (23 May 2020). "Jo Jorgensen Wins Libertarian Party Presidential Nomination". Reason. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  18. ^ Winger, Richard (July 11, 2020). "Libertarian Party Elects New National Chair". Ballot Access News. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  19. ^ a b c Bulletin, Annmarie Timmins N. H. (22 June 2021). "The unraveling of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire". SentinelSource.com. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  20. ^ Fordham, Evie (2021-06-09). "New Hampshire Libertarian Party draws backlash for calling to end child labor laws". Fox News. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  21. ^ a b c d Chibbaro, Lou Jr. (2021-08-18). "Gay D.C. Libertarian Party leader resigns as nat'l chair". Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  22. ^ Buchman, Joseph (2021-11-17). "Angela McArdle, AMA (tonight or tomorrow?), Campaign for LNC Chair Update". Independent Political Report. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  23. ^ a b What's Next for the Libertarian Party After Jo Jorgensen Got 1%?, 8 November 2020, retrieved 2022-05-23
  24. ^ Twitter https://twitter.com/lpmisescaucus/status/1516209298539520002. Retrieved 2022-05-29. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ^ a b "Mises Caucus Takes Control of Libertarian Party". Reason.com. 2022-05-29. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  26. ^ "Association of Liberty State Parties Announces Formation; Names Three State Affiliates". Independent Political Report. 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  27. ^ "The Keystone Party is Pa.'s newest political body. Here's what members are pushing for". Erie Times-News. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  28. ^ "Libertarian Party of Michigan Leadership Controversy 2022". LPedia. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  29. ^ "What's Going on with the Libertarian Party of Michigan?". Sheer Vision. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  30. ^ "Libertarian National Committee Sues Four of its 2022 Michigan Candidates". Ballot Access News. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  31. ^ "Libertarian National Committee, Inc. – committee overview". FEC.gov. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  32. ^ a b Murphy, Tim. "The spectacular implosion of the Libertarian Party". Mother Jones. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  33. ^ Clyde, Steven. "Platform". Libertarian Party Mises Caucus. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  34. ^ O'Donnell, Kyle. "Abolish Lockdowns". Libertarian Party Mises Caucus. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  35. ^ Libertarian Party Mises Caucus [@LPMisesCaucus] (2021-01-06). "So right-wing violence aimed at the empire's seat of power gets a swift condemnation, but left-wing violence (riots and lockdowns) aimed at small businesses gets silence I'm not saying @LPNational is run by controlled opposition, but if they were what would be different? https://t.co/QfcbTvd8IL" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-14 – via Twitter.
  36. ^ Libertarian Party Mises Caucus [@LPMisesCaucus] (2021-09-10). "Libertarians must be steadfast in saying NO to Biden's recent corporatist vaccine mandate EO. Any who support, excuse, justify, or rationalize it are feckless embarrassments carrying water for the regime and should never be taken seriously. #MassNonCompliance #WeNeedToSecede" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2021-10-11. Retrieved 2021-10-14 – via Twitter.
  37. ^ "It's Time for Libertarians to Think Local – and Win". Newsweek. 2023-01-02. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  38. ^ Wolfe, Liz (2024-06-25). "How the Libertarian Party lost its way". Reason. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
  39. ^ Birkeland, Bente (2024-09-04). "In a bid to boost Republican chances, Libertarian candidate bows out of Colorado's 8th Congressional District race". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
  40. ^ "Libertarian Party Mises Caucus Endorses Joshua Smith for LNC Chair". Libertarian Party Mises Caucus. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  41. ^ "Here's the slate of @LPMisesCaucus endorsed LP candidates".
  42. ^ "Inside the Libertarian Party's Decision To Host a Trump Speech". Yahoo News. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  43. ^ "Libertarian Party's Far-Right Leadership Worries Takeover Turning Into 'Disaster'". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  44. ^ "Marjorie Taylor-Greene's anti-Semitism is as American as apple pie (but Trump made it worse)". Salon. 2021-02-15. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  45. ^ Amash, Justin [@justinamash] (2021-06-16). "With that said, we need more professionalism and accountability from state affiliates. Official social media accounts are for advancing the party's mission of organizing libertarians, not for personal experiments in edgelording" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2021-10-03. Retrieved 2021-10-14 – via Twitter.
  46. ^ Justin Amash on How To End the Civil War in the Libertarian Party. ReasonTV. 2021-06-25. Archived from the original on 2021-10-03. Retrieved 2021-10-14 – via YouTube.
  47. ^ Libertarian Leaders Lectured on Mises Caucus Racism 12/5/21, 6 December 2021, retrieved 2022-05-07
  48. ^ a b "Mises Caucus: Could It Sway the Libertarian Party to the Hard Right?". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
  49. ^ Schwartz, Brian (2021-12-20). "Trump allies are helping Overstock founder Patrick Byrne run a group that pushes false election claims". CNBC. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
  50. ^ Friedman, Matt. "Man featured at Giuliani press conference is a convicted sex offender". Politico. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
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