Michael_Badnarik_presidential_campaign,_2004
Michael Badnarik 2004 presidential campaign
Political campaign for United States presidency
The 2004 presidential campaign of Michael Badnarik, software engineer and candidate for the Texas legislature in 2000 and 2002, began on February 17, 2003, three months after starting an exploratory committee on November 17, 2002. He spent over a year traveling the country, totaling over 25,000 miles prior to the 2004 Libertarian National Convention. On the second night (May 29) of the Convention, he participated in a debate with the other Libertarian candidates, broadcast on C-SPAN.[1][2]
The next day, the nomination for the Party began, with a candidate needing over 50% of the 778 votes cast.[3] On the first ballot, Badnarik finished 2nd with 256 votes to Aaron Russo (film producer turned political activist who had outspent him 3 to 1 the month before) by two votes, while finishing 10 votes above Gary Nolan (former talk radio host), with none of them having over 50%. On the 2nd ballot, Russo received 285 votes to Badnarik's 249, with Nolan at 244. Badnarik was endorsed by Nolan prior to the third round of voting between him and Russo. On the third ballot, he received 423 votes to Russo's 344, clinching the nomination with 54.4% of the votes cast. Richard Campagna (who had run for lieutenant governor of Iowa in 2002) was soon chosen as his running mate. After the victory, he stated, "If I can win the nomination, there's no reason I can't win this election."[4]
The ticket gained ballot access in 48 states and in the District of Columbia, with write-in access in New Hampshire.