Austin Petersen

Austin Petersen

Austin Petersen speaking at FreedomFest 2016
Personal details
Born Austin Wade Petersen
(1981-02-19) February 19, 1981
Independence, MO
Citizenship United States
Nationality American
Political party Libertarian
Mother Donna Petersen[1]
Father John D. Petersen[2]
Residence Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Alma mater Missouri State University
Occupation CEO of Stonegait LLC
Known for Former 2016 Libertarian Party presidential candidate

Austin Wade Petersen (born February 19, 1981) is an American political activist, producer, commentator and writer, best known as the runner-up for the Libertarian Party's nomination for President of the United States in 2016.

Early life and education

Petersen was raised on a farm in Peculiar, Missouri, the son of Donna and John D. Petersen. He attended Missouri State University, where he graduated with a degree in musical theater.[3][4]

Career

Early work

Petersen's early career included stints as a model and as a product demonstrator at FAO Schwarz; at the latter position, he briefly appeared during a Late Night with Conan O'Brien sketch filmed at the store.[3]

In 2008 Petersen worked for the Libertarian National Committee and the Atlas Network, before accepting a position as an associate producer at the Fox Business program FreedomWatch.[3][4] He later went to work as director of production at FreedomWorks.[3][4]

Politics

By 2015, Petersen was living in Kansas City, Missouri, "behind a midtown QuikTrip".[3] That year he announced his candidacy in the 2016 Libertarian Party nominating convention for president of the United States.[5][6] Writing in the Los Angeles Times, Petersen was described by Matt Welch as "an eager libertarian dudebro on the make".[7]

From the start of his bid for nomination, Petersen voiced and published his rejection of the non-aggression principle, one of the foundation principles of the libertarian philosophy and party.[8][9][10][11] During his campaign he affirmed a pro-life stance, while also declaring he was the Bernie Sanders of the Libertarian Party due to his grassroots fundraising strategy.[12][13] After Ted Cruz terminated his campaign for the Republican Party's nomination for president, Petersen received the backing of Mary Matalin and Erick Erickson.[14][15] On May 29, 2016 at the Libertarian National Convention, Petersen lost the nomination to Gary Johnson, getting second place on the second ballot.[16] Petersen congratulated Johnson on the win and gave him a replica of George Washington's pistol. Petersen then refused to endorse Johnson's vice presidential pick William Weld, in response to which Johnson placed the replica into a garbage can. Petersen, thereafter, endorsed Johnson for president.[17][18][19]

Current activities

As of 2016, Petersen is the owner of a photo and video consulting firm and the publisher of "The Libertarian Republic", a libertarian news and commentary website.[14][20][21]

Personal life

On social media and in interviews, Petersen has described himself as an atheist,[22][23] and as an agnostic.[24] He resides in Kansas City, Missouri.[3][4]

References

  1. ↑ "Here's Why Austin Petersen Should Be the Libertarian Party's Presidential Nominee". Thelibertarianrepublic.com. Retrieved 2016-09-12.
  2. ↑ "Instagram". Instagram. 2016-06-04. Retrieved 2016-09-12.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Montgomery, Rick (20 June 2016). "Kansas Citian lost Libertarian Party race, but likely ran campaign of the future". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Petersen at a glance:". austinpetersen2016.com. Petersen for President. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  5. ↑ Zeoli, Rich. "The Libertarian Candidate For President Wants Voters To Join A 'Generational Movement'". KYW-TV. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  6. ↑ Rogers, Brooke (19 May 2016). "Can Austin Petersen Unite Disenfranchsied Republicans?". National Review. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  7. ↑ Welch, Matt. "Op-Ed Meet the libertarians — the #NeverTrump movement's last hope". Los Angeles Times.
  8. ↑ "The Austin Petersen NAP Debate Is A Dream, And It Will All Be Over Soon". 31 December 2015.
  9. ↑ "Austin Petersen's Case Against Libertarianism - Matthew Reece - Liberty.me". 24 May 2015.
  10. ↑ "6 Reasons Why the Non Aggression Principle is Stupid - The Libertarian Republic". 29 September 2015.
  11. ↑ Cook, Joshua (8 March 2016). "Exclusive: LP Candidate Austin Petersen Responds to Colorado Debate Exclusion".
  12. ↑ Watkins, Eli (22 June 2016). "What is Libertarianism?". CNN. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  13. ↑ Welch, Matt (28 May 2016). "Presidential Candidate Austin Petersen Says He's the "Bernie Sanders and Barack Obama" of the Libertarian Party". Reason. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  14. 1 2 Nelson, Steven (4 May 2016). "Libertarians Say 'Brave' Ted Cruz Should Endorse Them, Not Trump". U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  15. ↑ Doherty, Brian (May 25, 2016). "Austin Petersen Catches More Endorsements from the Media Right for His Presidential Campaign". Reason.com. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  16. ↑ Libertarian Party National Convention (Live Video). Orlando, Florida: C-SPAN. May 29, 2016. Event occurs at 03:12:00. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  17. ↑ Chakraborty, Barnini. "Libertarian nominee accepts rival's gift of Washington replica pistol – then trashes it". Fox News. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  18. ↑ Chasmar, Jessica (2 June 2016). "Gary Johnson tossed rival Austin Petersen's gift of George Washington's replica pistol in trash". Washington Times. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  19. ↑ Weigel, David (7 August 2016). "Is Libertarian Gary Johnson a factor in Clinton-Trump matchup?". Washington Post. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  20. ↑ Harper, Jennifer (31 March 2016). "Libertarian hopefuls spar over Nazi-themed wedding cake on Fox Business Network presidential forum". Washington Times. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  21. ↑ Libit, Daniel (14 April 2016). "Where are all the Ron 'Paulite' libertarians in 2016?". CNBC. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  22. ↑ Doherty, Brian (11 May 2016). "Austin Petersen, the Conservative's Libertarian Presidential Candidate?". Reason. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  23. ↑ "Austin Petersen via The Libertarian Republic". Facebook. September 9, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Sure. It's a distinction, but the intellectually honest answer is agnostic. Technically everyone is an atheist in some way.". Twitter. May 8, 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
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