Michael Badnarik
| Michael Badnarik | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 1, 1954 Hammond, Indiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Libertarian |
| Alma mater | Indiana University, Bloomington |
Michael J. Badnarik (born August 1, 1954) is an American software engineer, political figure, and former radio talk show host. He was the Libertarian Party nominee for President of the United States in the 2004 elections, and placed fourth in the race, behind independent candidate Ralph Nader and the two major party candidates, George Bush and John Kerry. Two years later he ran as a Libertarian Party candidate in the 2006 congressional elections for Texas's 10th congressional district seat near Austin. In a three candidate field, Badnarik came in third, receiving 7,603 votes for 4.3% of the vote.
Badnarik's political philosophy emphasizes individual liberty, personal responsibility, and strict adherence to an originalist interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. All of his positions arise from this foundation. In economics, Badnarik believes in laissez-faire capitalism, a system in which the only function of the government is the protection of individual rights from the initiation of force and fraud. He therefore opposes institutions such as welfare and business regulation.
Badnarik first ran for public office in 2000 as a Libertarian, earning 15,221 votes (16.88%) in a race for the Texas legislature district 47. In 2002 he ran for the district 48 seat receiving 1,084 votes, or 2.24%.
Badnarik is a member of the libertarian Free State Project.
...
Wikipedia