News Release
For Immediate Release, May 7 2012
Libertarians Tap Johnson as Presidential Candidate,
Judge James P. Gray picked for Vice-Presidential slot
Harrisburg, PA – At its National Convention this past weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Libertarian Party nominated former two-term Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson as its Presidential candidate and California Judge James P. Gray as his Vice-Presidential running mate, reported the Pennsylvania Libertarian Party delegation at the convention.
A successful businessman, Johnson first ran for office in 1994, when he beat all odds and was elected as Republican Governor of heavily Democratic New Mexico. Prior to his election, Johnson built one of the state's largest construction companies, amassing over 1000 employees. As Governor he cut taxes fourteen times, while never raising them. He vetoed over 750 bills, with a mere two vetoes being overridden, and upon his departure New Mexico was one of only four states in the country to have achieved a balanced budget.
Johnson retired from public office in 2003 after being term-limited to eight years. He is an avid skier, adventurer, and bicyclist and has climbed the highest peak on four of the seven continents, including a successful ascent of Mount Everest. He has promised to submit to Congress a balanced federal budget in 2013, necessitating an unprecedented year-over-year reduction in federal outlays. In his acceptance speech, Governor. Johnson promised to present a clear and viable alternative to major party candidates, saying his victory in November will offer Americans effective solutions to slow economic growth, high unemployment and endless foreign military commitments that sap the country’s financial strengths. About his nomination, Johnson said “I am honored and I just want to pledge that no one will be disappointed. We’re going to grow the Libertarian Party,” adding that America is poised to reject the tired two-party duopoly that has brought the nation to its knees economically.
Judge James P. Gray is a highly regarded jurist who served on California's Orange County Superior Court from 1989 to 2010. In 2009, the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County named its annual “Judge of the Year” award after Judge Gray.
The Libertarian Party is the largest and best alternative for people who want to promote citizen liberty and limited government in both Pennsylvania and the United States. More than 200,000 people across the country are registered Libertarians, and Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices. Please visit
www.LPPA.org for more information.
Contact: Erik Viker (Media Relations) at
Media-Relations@lppa.org or
Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPA)
3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
www.lppa.org# # #
