1980

Ballot Status

For the first time since the Socialist Party in 1916, a third party had full ballot access. The Libertarian Party was on the ballot in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam. The Libertarian Party has reached this level off access in three subsequent presidential cycles: 1992, 1996, and 2000.

State Parties

• Crayton Green "Sparky" Hall became chair of the Libertarian Party of Louisiana
• Brian Wright became chair of the Libertarian Party of Michigan

Candidates

• David Bergland of California (and National Chair) ran for US Senate.
• Ed Clark for US President
• Ken Fanning was elected to the Alaska legislature.
• Michael Grant of Iowa ran for US Congress.
• David Koch of Koch Industries for US Vice President, who pledged $500,000 of his personal funds to the Libertarian campaign
• Dean Miller of Iowa ran for US Congress.
• Dick Randolph was re-elected to the Alaska House of Representatives.

Books

• A New Beginning by Ed Clark; the introduction was by Eugene McCarthy

Previous: 1979

The Year of 1980

Following: 1981