Libertarian Party Co-Founder Dead at 66

David Nolan died unexpectedly at age 66
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 26, 2010 4:53 PM CST
Libertarian Party Co-Founder Dead at 66
Libertarian candidate David Nolan, left, greets John McCain before a September debate in Phoenix.   (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Libertarian Party co-founder David F. Nolan died unexpectedly in Arizona after making runs in recent years for the US Senate and House. He was 66. Nolan helped found the party with a group of colleagues at his home in Denver on Dec. 11, 1971. "He not only helped found the Libertarian Party but remained active and helped to guide our party for the last 40 years," said party chairman Mark Hinkle.

"We are now the third-largest political party in America, and one of the most persistent and successful third parties in American history, thanks in large part to David Nolan," he said. Nolan was active in Arizona politics and received about 5% of the vote this year as a Libertarian candidate for Senate against John McCain. During the campaign, Nolan said the most effective way to end border violence and cripple drug cartels was to decriminalize drugs. (More Libertarian Party stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X