MAGA castoffs plot 2028 spoiler bid
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Summary
An unusual coalition wants to recruit outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie as the Libertarian Party's 2028 presidential nominee, betting that MAGA fractures can turn a third-party candidacy into a spoiler for the Republican nominee. Why it matters: Organizers see a fighter in Massie, a frequent critic of President Trump who pushed hard on releasing the Epstein files and lost a bitter primary rather than quietly walking away. Massie raised almost $10 million in the process and has a large online donor list and base. For his parting act in Congress, Massie is pushing an impeachment vote against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth . Driving the news: For months, Libertarian Party operatives and MAGA defectors have been privately and publicly encouraging Massie to run under a rebranded party. "Libertarian Jesus is Ron Paul, and one of our saints is Thomas Massie," Larry Sharpe, a perennial Libertarian candidate and longtime third-party operative, told Axios. Sharpe has spoken with Massie several times about a potential presidential run. Aside from playing GOP spoiler, organizers believe the Libertarian Party's existing ballot access and infrastructure could help them win 5% of the national vote — which would qualify its next presidential nominee for federal funding. Massie didn't respond to several requests for comment. The big picture: The plan is for libertarians to claim dibs on the "America First" agenda, mainly focusing on anti-war sentiment. Organizers believe they can build consensus among supporters of the MAGA wing that's closer to Tucker Carlson, former Trump official Joe Kent and former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), as well as disillusioned "Make America Healthy Again" activists and populist-inclined voters on the right and left. "A party that would speak clearly about the disaster of the war in Iran, that would speak clearly about the mistake to continue to give military aid, taxpayer-funded military aid, to Israel — that would perk up a lot of ears among young people," said James Fishback, a former GOP gubernatorial candidate in Florida who met with the organizers in October. "The idea is if one can take 5, 10, 15% of the vote from one of these parties, then that party has to listen and cave to interest of the people," Bret Weinstein, a lead organizer of this effort, said on his podcast last week. Zoom in: LP operative Michael Heise, a leader and founder of the Mises Caucus, is a main organizer for this rebranded party. Heise's caucus took over the LP in 2022. The LP picks its presidential nominee at conventions by delegates voting on the floor. Those who bring the most delegates can take over a convention. Heise is also a skilled fundraiser — by third party standards. The Mises PAC, which is bankrolling this "draft Massie" operation, according to the website, raised $394,000 in 2024's election cycle. The PAC has previously received donations from Kimbal and Christina Musk, Elon's brother and sister-in-law; Abigail Rockefeller, a former Robert F. Kennedy Jr. campaign and Democratic-leaning donor; and Patricia Duggan, a MAGA Inc mega-donor and longtime LP contributor, according to FEC records. Heise declined to comment.
Found in: Axios. Rating basis: single outlet; outlet tier 4; 1 feeds; feed position 4.