Libertarians and Independents Struggle to Break Through | Santa Fe News

Gary Johnson’s 2016 Libertarian run in New Mexico—despite his infamous Aleppo gaffe—once gave the party major status, but after his 2018 Senate loss, the movement fizzled, now fielding just a handful of local candidates. Across the state, only eight non-major party candidates even tried for statewide office this year, all disqualified, highlighting a brutal ballot-access system: minor parties need 7,000+ signatures, independents 14,000. The Forward Party is suing, calling it rigged. Even former mayor Ken Miyagishima, once a Democrat, is now backing Gregg Hull to help fundraise—admitting he’s bad at asking for money himself, but thinks he can do it for someone else. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5c156684f77d50ea