Mises Caucus

{{Short description|Caucus of the U.S. Libertarian Party}} {{Distinguish|text=the Mises Institute or Ludwig von Mises}} {{Unreliable sources|date=July 2022}} {{Use American English|date=May 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox organization | name = Mises Caucus | full_name = Libertarian Party Mises Caucus | abbreviation = LPMC<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rozsa |first1=Matthew |title=Marjorie Taylor-Greene's anti-Semitism is as American as apple pie (but Trump made it worse) |url=https://www.salon.com/2021/02/15/marjorie-taylor-greenes-anti-semitism-is-as-american-as-apple-pie/ |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=Salon |date=15 February 2021}}</ref> | logo = Mises Caucus logo.png{{!}}class=skin-invert | logo_size = 220px | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | named_after = Ludwig von Mises | formation = 2017 | founder = Michael Heise | type = Party caucus | purpose = Political realignment of the US Libertarian Party behind the ideas of Ron Paul | board_of_directors = {{plainlist| * Angela McArdle (Chair) * David Hynes (Secretary) * Kyle Burton (Treasurer) * Brodi Elwood * Aaron Harris * Jeffrey Douglas * Luke Ensor<ref name="Leadership">{{cite web |title=Meet the Team |url=https://lpmisescaucus.com/meet-the-team/ |website=Libertarian Party Mises Caucus |access-date=29 August 2022}}</ref> }} | status = Political Action Committee | registration_id = C00699785<ref name="FEC Form 1">{{cite web |title=Statement of Organization – Mises PAC |url=https://docquery.fec.gov/pdf/975/202008109261289975/202008109261289975.pdf |publisher=Federal Election Commission |access-date=14 September 2021 |date=10 August 2020}}</ref> | revenue = {{increase}} {{usd}}568,890.55<ref name="2022 FEC report">{{cite web |title=Mises PAC Report of Receipts and Disbursements – Year-End 2021 (amended) |url=https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00699785/ |publisher=Federal Election Commission |access-date=23 March 2023 |date=11 April 2022}}</ref> | revenue_year = 2021 | disbursements = {{increase}} {{usd}}484,907.97<ref name="2022 FEC report" /> | website = {{URL|lpmisescaucus.com}} | headquarters = Norristown, Pennsylvania<ref name="FEC Form 1" /> }}

The '''Libertarian Party Mises Caucus''' ('''LPMC''') is a caucus within the Libertarian Party in the United States that promotes paleolibertarianism,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mas |first=Frederic |date=2022-06-01 |title=United States: the libertarian party veers to the right |url=https://www.contrepoints.org/2022/06/01/431241-etats-unis-le-parti-libertarien-vire-a-droite |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=Contrepoints |language=fr-FR}}</ref> fusionism,<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=2022-06-16 |title='By Our Fruits, You'll Know Us': The Mises Caucus Mastermind |url=https://reason.com/video/2022/06/16/by-our-fruits-youll-know-us-the-mises-caucus-mastermind/ |access-date=2022-09-12 |website=Reason.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":152">{{Cite web |date=2017-08-18 |title=Libertarians Tell White Nationalists, Racists to Leave Party |url=https://ivn.us/2017/08/18/libertarians-tell-white-nationalists-racists-leave-party |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=IVN.us |language=en}}</ref> as well as a more conservative version of American libertarianism 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. It is named after economist Ludwig von Mises.

The caucus has support of some prominent libertarians, such as comedian Dave Smith, political commentator Tom Woods, and radio host Scott Horton.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Molinari |date=2018-07-13 |title=Tom Woods, Dave Smith, and Jason Stapleton Join the Libertarian Party |url=https://thelibertarianrepublic.com/tom-woods-dave-smith-and-jason-stapleton-join-the-libertarian-party/ |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=The Libertarian Republic |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Aaron |date=2018-09-09 |title=Rejoining the Libertarian Party with the Mises Caucus |url=https://thingsnotseen.info/rejoining-the-libertarian-party-with-the-mises-caucus/ |access-date=2022-05-23 |website=Things Not Seen |language=en-US |archive-date=2020-02-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216170539/http://thingsnotseen.info/rejoining-the-libertarian-party-with-the-mises-caucus/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Ron Paul once called the caucus "the libertarian wing of the Libertarian Party."<ref>{{cite AV media |date=2021-01-17 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXTYPRWKNWs |title=Ron Paul's Message to the Mises Caucus |publisher=LP Mises Caucus |via=YouTube |access-date=2021-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002085112/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXTYPRWKNWs |archive-date=2021-10-02 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web |date=2023-02-22 |title=Libertarian Party Is Fighting a Civil War Over Its Right-Wing Mises Caucus |website=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/libertarian-party-is-fighting-a-civil-war-over-its-right-wing-mises-caucus |access-date=2023-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222185951/https://www.thedailybeast.com/libertarian-party-is-fighting-a-civil-war-over-its-right-wing-mises-caucus |archive-date=2023-02-22 }}</ref> The caucus has also been highly controversial, and has been accused by their critics of harboring bigotry or being plants of the Republican Party, which the Mises Caucus denies.<ref name=":132">{{Cite web |date=2023-02-22 |title=Libertarian Party Is Fighting a Civil War Over Its Right-Wing Mises Caucus |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/libertarian-party-is-fighting-a-civil-war-over-its-right-wing-mises-caucus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222185951/https://www.thedailybeast.com/libertarian-party-is-fighting-a-civil-war-over-its-right-wing-mises-caucus |archive-date=2023-02-22 |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=The Daily Beast}}</ref>

The Mises Caucus has shifted the Libertarian Party further toward the right ever since their party's national convention in May 2022.<ref name=":13" />

== History == [[File:Michael Heise in May 2022.png|thumb|upright=0.75|Founder and chairman Michael Heise at the 2022 Libertarian National Convention]]

=== 2017–2018 === 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{{snd}}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.<ref name="Rebuff">{{Cite web |date=2018-07-04 |title=Libertarian Party Rebuffs Mises Uprising |url=https://reason.com/2018/07/04/libertarian-party-rebuffs-mises-uprising/ |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=Reason |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite web|date=2017-08-18|title=Libertarians Tell White Nationalists, Racists to Leave Party|url=https://ivn.us/2017/08/18/libertarians-tell-white-nationalists-racists-leave-party|access-date=2021-10-02|website=IVN.us|language=en}}</ref> The caucus is named after the economist Ludwig von Mises and is "dedicated to [his] beliefs and works".<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2018-02-04 |title=Ron Paul Attacks Libertarian Leadership in Response to Controversy – 71 Republic |url=https://71republic.com/2018/02/03/paul-attacks-libertarian-leadership/ |access-date=2022-05-22 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204124008/https://71republic.com/2018/02/03/paul-attacks-libertarian-leadership/ |archive-date=4 February 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{BSN|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS).|date=May 2023}}

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".<ref name="Rebuff" />

=== 2019–2021 === In 2019, the Mises Caucus launched a political action committee, Mises PAC, to raise money for Libertarian candidates.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mises PAC Launch |url=https://lpmisescaucus.com/lp-mises-caucus/mises-pac-launch/ |website=Libertarian Party Mises Caucus |access-date=14 September 2021 |date=29 April 2019}}</ref>{{Primary inline|date=July 2024}}

The caucus supported Jacob Hornberger's campaign in the 2020 Libertarian Party presidential primaries and again endorsed Smith for party chairman.<ref name=":12">{{cite news |last1=Welch |first1=Matt |author1-link=Matt Welch |title=The Libertarian Party Critique of Justin Amash |url=https://reason.com/2020/05/12/the-libertarian-party-critique-of-justin-amash/ |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=Reason |date=12 May 2021}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{cite tweet |author=Libertarian Party Mises Caucus |user=LPMisesCaucus |number=1204808814656212992 |date=2019-12-11 |title=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 |language=en |access-date=2021-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002085112/https://twitter.com/lpmisescaucus/status/1204808814656212992 |archive-date=2021-10-02 |url-status=live}}</ref> Both were defeated in their respective races at the 2020 Libertarian National Convention.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Doherty |first1=Brian |title=Jo Jorgensen Wins Libertarian Party Presidential Nomination |url=https://reason.com/2020/05/23/jo-jorgensen-wins-libertarian-party-presidential-nomination/ |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=Reason |date=23 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Winger|first=Richard|date=July 11, 2020|title=Libertarian Party Elects New National Chair|url=https://ballot-access.org/2020/07/11/libertarian-party-elects-new-national-chair/|access-date=2021-06-30|website=Ballot Access News|language=en-US}}</ref>

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".<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=2021-06-23|title=Inside the Battle Over the Soul of the Libertarian Party|url=https://reason.com/2021/06/23/inside-the-battle-over-the-soul-of-the-libertarian-party/|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Reason.com|language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Bulletin |first=Annmarie Timmins N. H. |title=The unraveling of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire |url=https://www.sentinelsource.com/news/local/the-unraveling-of-the-libertarian-party-of-new-hampshire/article_3a871650-59c7-5a2a-a30e-b3eea32612f1.html |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=SentinelSource.com |date=22 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Fordham|first=Evie|date=2021-06-09|title=New Hampshire Libertarian Party draws backlash for calling to end child labor laws|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/new-hampshire-libertarian-party-child-labor-laws|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Fox News|language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Chibbaro |first=Lou Jr. |date=2021-08-18 |title=Gay D.C. Libertarian Party leader resigns as nat'l chair |url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2021/08/18/gay-d-c-libertarian-party-leader-resigns-as-natl-chair/ |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=Washington Blade |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 2022 takeover of the LNC === In 2021, Mises Caucus board member Angela McArdle announced her intention to run for party chair.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buchman |first=Joseph |date=2021-11-17 |title=Angela McArdle, AMA (tonight or tomorrow?), Campaign for LNC Chair Update |url=http://independentpoliticalreport.com/2021/11/angela-mcardle-ama-tonight-or-tomorrow-campaign-for-lnc-chair-update/ |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=Independent Political Report |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":8" /> She was later endorsed by the caucus.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1516209298539520002 |user=LPMisesCaucus |title=You probably know @angela4LNCChair has a plan, a vision, and an insane work ethic But you might not know that she is an effective leader because she brings out the best in her team We fully endorse Angela to lead and bring out the best in the many leaders of the LP #RenoReset |first=Mises Caucus |date=2022-04-18 |access-date=2025-03-20}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2022-05-29 |title=Mises Caucus Takes Control of Libertarian Party |url=https://reason.com/2022/05/29/mises-caucus-takes-control-of-libertarian-party/ |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=Reason.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-05 |title=Association of Liberty State Parties Announces Formation; Names Three State Affiliates |url=https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2022/12/association-of-liberty-state-parties-announces-formation-names-three-state-affiliates/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Independent Political Report |language=en-US}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Keystone Party is Pa.'s newest political body. Here's what members are pushing for. |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/10/28/pennsylvania-keystone-party-for-moderates-and-independents/69568439007/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Erie Times-News |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2023, the Libertarian Party of Michigan entered a leadership dispute stemming from the July 2022 removal of its Michigan Mises PAC-affiliated chair.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Libertarian Party of Michigan Leadership Controversy 2022 |url=https://lpedia.org/wiki/Libertarian_Party_of_Michigan_Leadership_Controversy_2022 |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=LPedia |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What's Going on with the Libertarian Party of Michigan? |url=https://sheervision.blogspot.com/2023/03/whats-going-on-with-libertarian-party.html |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=Sheer Vision |language=en-US}}</ref> This led to a subsequent trademark lawsuit filing by the LNC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Libertarian National Committee Sues Four of its 2022 Michigan Candidates |url=https://ballot-access.org/2023/05/08/libertarian-national-committee-sues-four-of-its-2022-michigan-candidates/ |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=Ballot Access News |date=8 May 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Since the 2022 takeover of the LNC, the largely Mises Caucus-aligned leadership has overseen a decline in party revenue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Libertarian National Committee, Inc. – committee overview |url= https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00255695/?tab=summary&cycle=2024 |access-date=May 11, 2024 |website=FEC.gov | date=January 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2024–present === The Mises Caucus supported Michael Rectenwald in the 2024 Libertarian Party presidential primaries. The caucus also backed Clint Russell to be the Libertarian Party's nominee for US Vice President.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":16" /> Both Rectenwald and Russell lost their nominations at the 2024 Libertarian National Convention, the former which, before losing the nominating vote, gave a speech while stoned.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolfe |first=Liz |date=2024-06-25 |title=How the Libertarian Party lost its way |url=https://reason.com/2024/06/25/how-the-libertarian-party-lost-its-way/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Reason.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

In April 2024, the Mises-aligned LNC Chair Angela McArdle announced former President Donald Trump had accepted an invite to the 2024 libertarian convention in late May. McArdle said she invited both Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden to come, but only Trump said "yes", although a memo obtained by Reason magazine alleged that McArdle was contacted by the Trump campaign to give him a slot at the convention.<ref name=":16" /> Critics of the Mises Caucus saw the LNC booking Trump at the Convention as proof that the caucus is right-wing or MAGA.<ref name=":16" />

On January 25, 2025, McArdle resigned as LNC Chair, and Mises Caucus endorsed their founder Michael Heise to succeed her. In the LNC Chair special election on February 2, Heise lost to Steven Nekhaila, an LNC At-large member.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Doherty |first=Brian |date=2025-02-04 |title=Libertarian Party gets new national chair after Angela McArdle's surprise resignation |url=https://reason.com/2025/02/04/libertarian-party-gets-new-national-chair-after-angela-mcardles-surprise-resignation/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Reason.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Although Nekhaila was part of the Mises Caucus slate at the 2024 Libertarian National Convention, his win is seen as the collapse of Mises control over the Libertarian Party at the national level.<ref name=":17" /> Six LNC members who were backed by the Mises Caucus in 2024 voted against their founder and their caucus's official candidate for LNC Chair.<ref name=":17" />

On June 2, 2025, McArdle announced she has stepped in as the new Chair of the Mises Caucus.<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |date=2025-06-09 |title=McArdle Becomes Mises Chair – Third Party Watch |url=https://thirdpartywatch.com/2025/06/06/mcardle-becomes-mises-chair/ |access-date=2025-06-09 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet | user=LPMisesCaucus | number=1929689650819748052 | title=Special Announcement from Angela McArdle...}}</ref>

== Political positions ==

=== Platform === The Mises Caucus platform states that they:<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Clyde |first=Steven |title=Platform |url=https://lpmisescaucus.com/platform/ |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=Libertarian Party Mises Caucus |language=en-US}}</ref> * support private property rights and reject socialism * support the Austrian School of economics * reject mainstream monetary policies, such as central banking and state-issued currency * support decentralization, including secession and localism, "all the way down to the individual" * support non-interventionist foreign policy and opposition to war * reject identity politics The platform notably does not address immigration or abortion rights.{{relevant|date=October 2025}}

=== Other positions ===

==== Party "Takeover" ==== 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.<ref name=":5" /> The caucus has accused many in the party outside their caucus of supporting political correctness and "wokeism" and being "SJW friendly".<ref name=":5" /><ref name="Rebuff" />

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".<ref name=":8">{{Citation |title=What's Next for the Libertarian Party After Jo Jorgensen Got 1%? | date=8 November 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYqkYozpO5w |language=en |access-date=2022-05-23}}</ref>

==== COVID-19 ==== During the COVID-19 pandemic, the caucus strongly opposed lockdowns,<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Donnell |first=Kyle |title=Abolish Lockdowns |url=https://lpmisescaucus.com/abolish-lockdowns/ |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=Libertarian Party Mises Caucus |language=en-US}}</ref> mask mandates, vaccine passports and vaccine mandates.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> The Mises Caucus also criticized the wider party for being silent and "not taking a stand".<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1346937900605313027|user=LPMisesCaucus|title=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|author=Libertarian Party Mises Caucus|date=2021-01-06|access-date=2021-10-14|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002085113/https://twitter.com/lpmisescaucus/status/1346937900605313027|archive-date=2021-10-02|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|number=1436370265269809152|user=LPMisesCaucus|title=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|author=Libertarian Party Mises Caucus|date=2021-09-10|access-date=2021-10-14|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011100500/https://twitter.com/lpmisescaucus/status/1436370265269809152|archive-date=2021-10-11|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Electoral strategy ==== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-02 |title=It's Time for Libertarians to Think Local – and Win |url=https://www.newsweek.com/its-time-libertarians-think-local-win-opinion-1770475 |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolfe |first=Liz |date=2024-06-25 |title=How the Libertarian Party lost its way |url=https://reason.com/2024/06/25/how-the-libertarian-party-lost-its-way/ |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=Reason |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Birkeland |first=Bente |date=2024-09-04 |title=In a bid to boost Republican chances, Libertarian candidate bows out of Colorado's 8th Congressional District race |url=https://www.cpr.org/2024/09/04/colorado-eighth-congressional-district-libertarian-pledge-republican-gabe-evans-caraveo/ |access-date=2024-09-10 |publisher=Colorado Public Radio |language=en}}</ref>

====Secession==== The caucus has promoted a "peaceful separation" and "national divorce" of local governments from the United States, and has donated to candidates and initiatives seeking to nullify federal law.<ref name="v248">{{cite web | last=Tomco | first=Brigham | title=Is the Libertarian Party on the verge of collapse or rebirth? Depends who you ask | website=Deseret News | date=2022-10-28 | url=https://www.deseret.com/2022/10/27/23397217/mises-caucus-takes-over-libertarian-party-and-causes-division/ | access-date=2025-01-02}}</ref>

== Leadership ==

=== Chair of the Mises Caucus === {| class="wikitable" |+ !# !Image !Chair !Term start !Term end |- |1 |60px |Michael Heise |2017 ''Caucus founded'' |2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet The Team – Libertarian Party Mises Caucus |url=https://lpmisescaucus.com/meet-the-team/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031131540/https://lpmisescaucus.com/meet-the-team/ |archive-date=2023-10-31 |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=lpmisescaucus.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":19">{{Cite web |title=Meet The Team – Libertarian Party Mises Caucus |url=https://lpmisescaucus.com/meet-the-team/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212015430/https://lpmisescaucus.com/meet-the-team/ |archive-date=2023-12-12 |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=lpmisescaucus.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2 | |Aaron Harris |2023<ref name=":19" /> |June 2, 2025<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet The Team – Libertarian Party Mises Caucus |url=https://lpmisescaucus.com/meet-the-team/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514095354/https://lpmisescaucus.com/meet-the-team/ |archive-date=2025-05-14 |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=lpmisescaucus.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":18" /> |- |3 |60px |Angela McArdle |June 2, 2025<ref name=":18" /> |''Incumbent'' |}

== Political activity ==

=== Inside the Libertarian Party === {| class="wikitable sortable" |+Chair of the Libertarian National Committee !Election !Candidate !Result !Final % |- style="text-align:center;" |2018 |Joshua Smith<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|title=Libertarian Party Mises Caucus Endorses Joshua Smith for LNC Chair|url=https://lpmisescaucus.com/uncategorized/libertarian-party-mises-caucus-endorses-joshua-smith-lnc-chair/|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Libertarian Party Mises Caucus|date=17 January 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref> |{{No|Lost}} |{{No|22%}} |- style="text-align:center;" |2020 |Joshua Smith<ref name=":11" /> |{{No|Lost}} |{{No|39%}} |- style="text-align:center;" |2022 |Angela McArdle |{{Yes|Won}} |{{Yes|69%}} |- style="text-align:center;" |2024 |Angela McArdle<ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/RecTheRegime/status/1787460889060212747|title=Here's the slate of @LPMisesCaucus endorsed LP candidates.}}</ref> |{{Yes|Won}} |{{Yes|53.44%}} |- style="text-align:center;" |2025 (special) |Michael Heise<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-31 |title=Mises Caucus Launches Campaign — Heise for Chair – Third Party Watch |url=https://thirdpartywatch.com/2025/01/29/mises-caucus-launches-campaign-heise-for-chair/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |language=en-US}}</ref> |{{No|Lost}} |{{No|40%}} |}

=== 2020 ===

==== U.S. President ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! bgcolor="teal" |Candidate ! bgcolor="teal" |Office ! bgcolor="teal" |Primaries ! bgcolor="teal" |Primary result ! bgcolor="teal" |Final % ! bgcolor="teal" |General result ! bgcolor="teal" |<abbr title="General vote share">%</abbr> |- style="text-align:center;" |Jacob Hornberger<ref name=":12" /> |President of the United States |2020 Libertarian Party presidential primaries |{{No|Lost at convention}} |{{No|28%}} |{{No|Did not qualify}} |{{No|N/A}} |}

=== 2024 ===

==== U.S. President ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! bgcolor="teal" |Candidate ! bgcolor="teal" |Office ! bgcolor="teal" |Primaries ! bgcolor="teal" |Primary result ! bgcolor="teal" |Final % ! bgcolor="teal" |General result ! bgcolor="teal" |<abbr title="General vote share">%</abbr> |- style="text-align:center;" |Michael Rectenwald<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Tim |title=The spectacular implosion of the Libertarian Party |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/04/the-spectacular-implosion-of-the-libertarian-party/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=Mother Jones |language=en-US}}</ref> |President of the United States |2024 Libertarian Party presidential primaries |{{No|Lost at convention}} |{{No|45%}} |{{No|Did not qualify}} |{{No|N/A}} |}

==== U.S. Vice President ====

{| class="wikitable sortable" ! bgcolor="teal" |Candidate ! bgcolor="teal" |Office ! bgcolor="teal" |Primaries ! bgcolor="teal" |Nominating result ! bgcolor="teal" |Final % ! bgcolor="teal" |General result ! bgcolor="teal" |<abbr title="General vote share">%</abbr> |- style="text-align:center;" |Clint Russel<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |date=2024-05-24 |title=Inside the Libertarian Party's Decision To Host a Trump Speech |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/inside-libertarian-partys-decision-host-120143359.html |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref> |Vice President of the United States |None{{efn|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}} |{{No|Lost}} |{{No|47%}} |{{No|Did not qualify}} |{{No|N/A}} |}

== Criticism == The Mises Caucus has been highly controversial within and outside the Libertarian Party.<ref name=":5" /><ref name="Rebuff" /> The Southern Poverty Law Center has described the group as far-right.<ref name="disaster">{{Cite web |title=Libertarian Party's Far-Right Leadership Worries Takeover Turning Into 'Disaster' |date=18 August 2023 |url=https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2023/08/18/libertarian-partys-far-right-leadership-worries-takeover-turning-disaster |access-date=2023-10-09 |publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |language=en}}</ref> The caucus has been accused of harboring racists,<ref name=":5" /> anti-semites,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-15|title=Marjorie Taylor-Greene's anti-Semitism is as American as apple pie (but Trump made it worse)|url=https://www.salon.com/2021/02/15/marjorie-taylor-greenes-anti-semitism-is-as-american-as-apple-pie/|access-date=2021-10-03|website=Salon|language=en}}</ref> and transphobes.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> The caucus strongly denies these claims.{{efn|Mises Caucus chair Michael Heise denies the charges of racism, arguing their appeal is among "youths who are into edgy podcasts".<ref name=":9" /> 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".<ref name=":5" />}}

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".<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":6" /> In June 2021, former congressman Justin Amash criticized the Mises-controlled New Hampshire affiliate for "edgelording" and being unprofessional in their messaging.<ref>{{cite tweet |last=Amash |first=Justin |author-link=Justin Amash |user=justinamash |number=1405181293776809984 |date=2021-06-16 |title=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. |language=en |access-date=2021-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003201438/https://twitter.com/justinamash/status/1405181293776809984 |archive-date=2021-10-03 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=2021-06-25 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR7yDmosOB0 |title=Justin Amash on How To End the Civil War in the Libertarian Party |publisher=ReasonTV |via=YouTube |access-date=2021-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003212059/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR7yDmosOB0 |archive-date=2021-10-03 |url-status=live}}</ref>

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.<ref name=":5" />

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".<ref>{{Citation |title=Libertarian Leaders Lectured on Mises Caucus Racism 12/5/21 |date=6 December 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp34iYE6FcA |language=en |access-date=2022-05-07}}</ref>

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".<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Mises Caucus: Could It Sway the Libertarian Party to the Hard Right? |date=25 May 2022 |url=https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2022/05/25/mises-caucus-could-it-sway-libertarian-party-hard-right |access-date=2022-05-26 |publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":7" /> Both Byrne and Brooks promoted the conspiracy theory that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump, the SPLC said.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Brian |date=2021-12-20 |title=Trump allies are helping Overstock founder Patrick Byrne run a group that pushes false election claims |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/20/trump-allies-help-overstock-founder-patrick-byrne-push-false-election-claims.html |access-date=2022-05-26 |publisher=CNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Friedman |first=Matt |title=Man featured at Giuliani press conference is a convicted sex offender |url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2020/11/09/man-featured-at-giuliani-press-conference-is-a-sex-offender-1335241 |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=Politico |date=9 November 2020 |language=en }}</ref>

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == <references />

== External links == * {{officialwebsite|lpmisescaucus.com}} * [https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00699785/ Mises PAC profile] at the Federal Election Commission

{{Libertarian Party (United States)}} {{Portal bar|Libertarianism|Politics|United States}} Category:Austrian School Category:Libertarian Party (United States) caucuses Category:Paleolibertarianism Category:Political organizations established in 2017 Category:Ron Paul Category:Secessionist organizations in the United States Category:United States political action committees

Mises Caucus

Connections

Linked from (33 total)

Links to (90 total)