# Libertarian Party of Idaho

The Libertarian Party of Idaho, also known as the LPID, is the affiliate of the Libertarian Party in the U.S. state of Idaho. The current chair is Jayson Sorensen.
Although it currently has no representation in the Idaho Legislature, it is one of four major political parties in Idaho which have ballot access (Using the Ballot access definition of Minor vs Major party). The party promotes securing personal and economic liberties as its top priorities.

## History

The national Libertarian Party was founded in December 1971 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and held its first national convention in 1972. However, the Libertarian Party of Idaho was not established until 1975 by D. Allen Dalton when it first announced his candidacy in the next elections.
Since its inception, the Libertarian Party of Idaho has held various elected positions mostly on local boards and city council seats. Generally, the Libertarian Party of Idaho runs about twelve candidates in each election cycle.

### Party milestones

* In November, 1997, Ron Wittig became the first registered Libertarian to hold public office in the state of Idaho.
* In November, 2016, US presidential candidate Gary Johnson achieved 4.1% (28,331 votes) of the popular vote, representing the highest percentage achieved for a Libertarian presidential candidate in the state of Idaho.
* In October, 2020, the Libertarian Party of Idaho represented over 1% of registered voters in the state for the first time in party history.

## Former officials

* Ron Wittig New Meadows City Council (1997-2001)
* Rob Oates Caldwell City Council (2003-2007)

## Platform

The Libertarian Party of Idaho follows the platform of the Libertarian National Committee. This platform is based on the party's Statement of Principles, originally adopted at a convention of the national Libertarian Party in 1974.
Economic Policy
LPID wishes to reduce market regulations across the board, particularly in the healthcare industry. It also wants to reduce taxation to businesses and individuals as part of an overall goal to reduce the power of the government.
Social Policy
The Party seeks to engage in reform to the American justice system, including an end to the War on Drugs. It also seeks to increase protections for gun ownership and the purchasing of firearms.

## Chairs of LPID

* Jayson Sorensen (2022-Present)
* Robert Imhoff-Dousharm (2022)
* Jennifer Imhoff-Dousharm (2020–2022)
* Rob Oates (2006-2020)
* Ted Dunlap (2004)
* Ryan Davidson (2001–2002)
* D. Allen Dalton (1975–1976)

## Notable electoral performances

Listed below are notable electoral performances by Idaho Libertarian Party nominees since 1998, as defined by winning at least 5.0% of the vote in a general election. Winners are shown in bold.

### 2022

Idaho Libertarian Party 2022 notable electoral performances :
| Election | District | Nominee | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| Idaho State Senate | 14th district | Robert Imhoff | 2,326 | 10.3 / 100 | 2nd |

### 2020

Idaho Libertarian Party 2020 notable electoral performances :
| Election | District | Nominee | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| Idaho State Senate | 28th district | Dan Karlan | 4,916 | 22.4 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 2 Seat B | Jennifer Luoma | 4,803 | 16.5 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 21 Seat B | Jess S. Smith | 4,460 | 22.3 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 23 Seat B | Lisa Adams | 8,178 | 28.5 / 100 | 2nd |
| Kootenai County Sheriff | Kootenai County Sheriff | Justin Nagel | 8,070 | 9.6 / 100 | 3rd |

### 2018

Idaho Libertarian Party 2018 notable electoral performances :
| Election | District | Nominee | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| Idaho State Senate | 21st district | Joe Evans | 1,187 | 5.6 / 100 | 3rd |

### 2016

Idaho Libertarian Party 2016 notable electoral performances :
| Election | District | Nominee | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| Idaho State Senate | 29th district | Sierra "Idaho Lorax" Carta | 1,159 | 7.0 / 100 | 3rd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 11 Seat B | John Charles Smith | 1,656 | 8.6 / 100 | 3rd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 23 Seat B | Christopher Jenkins | 889 | 6.3 / 100 | 3rd |
| Bannock County Board of Commissioners | 3rd District | Kevin Lee Perry | 2,732 | 8.3 / 100 | 3rd |

### 2014

Idaho Libertarian Party 2014 notable electoral performances :
| Election | District | Nominee | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 17 Seat A | Paul D. Hautzinger | 2,431 | 23.4 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 21 Seat B | Joe Hautzinger | 2,828 | 22.1 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 29 Seat A | Matthew Larsen | 643 | 5.8 / 100 | 3rd |

### 2012

Idaho Libertarian Party 2012 notable electoral performances :
| Election | District | Nominee | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 16 Seat A | Jeffrey Laing | 1,427 | 7.6 / 100 | 3rd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 17 Seat B | Mikel Hautzinger | 976 | 6.0 / 100 | 3rd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 33 Seat A | Christopher Joseph Brunt | 1,160 | 6.8 / 100 | 3rd |
| Ada County Sheriff | Ada County Sheriff | Ted Dunlap | 41,014 | 25.7 / 100 | 2nd |
| Bannock County Board of Commissioners | 3rd District | John Bischoff | 2,726 | 8.0 / 100 | 3rd |

### 2010

Idaho Libertarian Party 2010 notable electoral performances :
| Election | District | Nominee | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 11 Seat B | John Charles Smith | 2,116 | 15.8 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 15 Seat B | Marvin Gardner | 2,215 | 21.3 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 17 Seat A | Mikel Hautzinger | 499 | 5.4 / 100 | 3rd |

### 2008

Idaho Libertarian Party 2008 notable electoral performances :
| Election | District | Nominee | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 17 Seat A | Mikel Hautzinger | 3,298 | 19.6 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 20 Seat A | Rex W. Kerr | 4,337 | 22.7 / 100 | 2nd |

### 2006

Idaho Libertarian Party 2006 notable electoral performances :
| Election | District | Nominee | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| Kootenai County Assessor | Kootenai County Assessor | John F. Gessner | 7,180 | 20.8 / 100 | 2nd |

### 2004

Idaho Libertarian Party 2004 notable electoral performances :
| Election | District | Nominee | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 15 Seat A | Randal A. Williamson | 3,034 | 19.6 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 15 Seat B | Marvin Gardner | 3,493 | 22.9 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 20 Seat A | David H. Slack | 2,740 | 15.3 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 34 Seat A | Timothy A. Raty | 1,419 | 8.9 / 100 | 2nd |

### 2002

Idaho Libertarian Party 2002 notable electoral performances :
| Election | District | Nominee | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| Idaho Secretary of State | Idaho Secretary of State | Ronald E. Perry | 86,437 | 22.5 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho State Senate | 4th district | Dan Gookin | 615 | 6.0 / 100 | 3rd |
| Idaho State Senate | 14th district | Lee Carey | 3,044 | 21.2 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 2 Seat A | Andy Jolliff | 913 | 8.5 / 100 | 3rd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 9 Seat B | Caryl A. Whitlatch | 2,014 | 20.2 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 12 Seat A | Jay Riddle | 1,826 | 23.3 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 16 Seat A | John Bischoff | 2,281 | 20.6 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 18 Seat A | Luke McManamon | 883 | 7.1 / 100 | 3rd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 19 Seat A | David Zimlich | 2,058 | 14.4 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 19 Seat B | Howard Olivier | 2,345 | 16.6 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 20 Seat A | Wendy Lieberman | 741 | 6.2 / 100 | 3rd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 20 Seat B | David Lieberman | 621 | 5.2 / 100 | 3rd |
| Ada County Clerk of the District Court | Ada County Clerk of the District Court | Ginny Eggleston | 21,215 | 22.1 / 100 | 2nd |
| Ada County Treasurer | Ada County Treasurer | Dustin Kier | 20,826 | 22.0 / 100 | 2nd |
| Ada County Assessor | Ada County Assessor | Ryan Davidson | 22,872 | 24.0 / 100 | 2nd |
| Boise County Assessor | Boise County Assessor | Clifton T. George | 710 | 29.3 / 100 | 2nd |
| Kootenai County Board of Commissioners | 1st District | Ginny Eggleston | 1,937 | 6.2 / 100 | 3rd |
| Kootenai County Board of Commissioners | 2nd District | Christian Kirsch | 2,682 | 8.8 / 100 | 3rd |
| Kootenai County Treasurer | Kootenai County Treasurer | Moe Thibert | 5,405 | 18.2 / 100 | 2nd |
| Kootenai County Assessor | Kootenai County Assessor | Victoria Keyes | 7,406 | 25.0 / 100 | 2nd |
| Kootenai County Coroner | Kootenai County Coroner | Kenneth P. Davidson | 6,303 | 21.3 / 100 | 2nd |

### 2000

Idaho Libertarian Party 2000 notable electoral performances :
| Election | District | Nominee | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| Idaho State Senate | 15th district | Bill E. Anderson | 946 | 6.0 / 100 | 3rd |
| Idaho State Senate | 18th district | Daniel L.J. Adams | 3,165 | 19.7 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 19 Seat A | Brooke L. Wilmoth | 872 | 6.0 / 100 | 3rd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 22 Seat A | Jonathan A. Stump | 1,554 | 15.4 / 100 | 2nd |
| Ada County Board of Commissioners | 1st District | Robert John Blakely | 6,582 | 5.6 / 100 | 2nd |
| Gem County Prosecuting Attorney | Gem County Prosecuting Attorney | Richard Linville | 4,280 | 100 / 100 | 1st |

### 1998

Idaho Libertarian Party 1998 notable electoral performances :
| Election | District | Nominee | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| Idaho State Senate | 18th district | Daniel L.J. Adams | 2,758 | 24.0 / 100 | 2ndd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 8 Seat B | Ronald G. Wittig | 2,175 | 18.3 / 100 | 2nd |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 12 Seat B | David Eppes | 2,191 | 19.4 / 100 | 2nd |
| Ada County Clerk of the District Court | Ada County Clerk of the District Court | Jamie M. Weems | 15,404 | 18.7 / 100 | 2nd |
| Payette County Board of Commissioners | 3rd district | Sylvia Zitek | 1,154 | 23.4 / 100 | 1st |