Libertarians often dream big—imagining themselves in the Senate, Congress, or even the White House—pushing forward the ideals of freedom, limited government, and personal liberty. We’re inspired by figures like Ron Paul, Harry Browne, and Murray Rothbard. But let’s take a step back and ask an important question: Have you, dear reader, ever considered running for local office?

The reality is that running for higher office, like the U.S. Senate or President, is a long shot—especially for a third-party candidate. Just look at the numbers from recent elections here in Florida:

• Andrew Parrott received 0.4% of the vote in the 2025 Special general election for U.S. House Florida District 6, losing to War Pig and Israel Hawk Randy Fine.

• Chase Oliver received just 0.3% of the vote in the 2024 Presidential race in the state of Florida.

• Dennis Simpson Jr. managed just 1.9% in a 2024 Florida House race.

• Eric Montgomery, a first-time candidate, received 3.8% in a 2024 County Board race.

• Feena Bonoan garnered just 0.5% in the 2024 U.S. Senate race.

• Frank Craft managed just 1.8% in the 2022 U.S. House Florida District 13 race.

• Hector Roos received just 0.2% of the vote for Governor of Florida in 2022, in a field of four.

• Joe Hannoush, a perpetual candidate, finished last in a field of three, with just 2.3% in his Florida House District 28 race. Hannoush ran for US House in 2022, the only opposition to the Republican winner, notching 24.7% as the “protest” option. He matched his 2024 totals with another 2.3% showing in the 2020 Florida House District 25 election and got just 1.8% in 2018 for the same seat.

• Joshua Hlavka, former LPF Chair, received 20.3% of the vote for the 2024 Florida House District 105. While this might seem like a decent result, it’s important to note that Hlavka ran against a Democrat in a strongly blue district with no Republican challenger. His total was likely driven by protest voters rejecting the Democrat candidate.

• Joshua Krakow, another first-time candidate, earned just 2.2% of the vote in the 2024 Florida House District 77 race.

• Matt Johnson, who was previously appointed to his local Code Enforcement board, received 2.8% of the vote in a three-way race for Florida House of Representatives District 29 in 2024.

• Miguel "El Skipper" Quintero ran in the primary for Mayor of Miami-Dade County in 2024, finishing last in a field of seven, with just 1.2% of the vote. This was a highly competitive county-level race for an executive position.

• Nathaniel Snyder, a first-time candidate, earned only 0.7% of the vote in the 2024 Florida U.S. House District 14 race.

• Nathan Slusher earned 5.8% of the vote in his race for 2024 Brevard County Board of Commissioners District 1 against both Democrat and Republican candidates. While the outcome fell short of expectations, it suggests potential for stronger performance in a more localized race.

These numbers clearly demonstrate the uphill battle Libertarians face in larger races. And here's the key takeaway: Local races are different.

Local elections offer a unique opportunity to make a real impact. They allow us to build grassroots momentum, gain visibility, and ultimately influence policies in tangible ways. Take Paul Diaz, who won his non-partisan election for City Commission in Winter Springs with 54.7% of the vote. His victory shows what’s possible when we focus on local, community-based change. As Paul wisely put it, “Running for local office is the most effective way for libertarians to make a real impact. Too often, people jump into high-level races with no experience, no base of support, and no ability to govern if they somehow win. Local government is where real change happens—where you can actually cut spending, reduce bureaucracy, and defend individual liberty in tangible ways. It also builds credibility and experience, positioning you for larger roles in the future.”

Diaz also emphasized his winning strategy, saying, “My strategy was simple: focus on issues people care about, be the most competent candidate in the race, and never compromise on fiscal responsibility. Winning isn’t about making noise—it’s about proving you can lead. If more libertarians took this approach, we’d have real influence, not just ballot access.”

Paul’s words highlight the core message: Real change happens locally. We’ve seen it with Jim Turney, who ran unopposed in the 2017 Altamonte Springs City Commission race and has since been reelected through November 2025. His success highlights the power of local elections—where a smaller electorate, a more personal connection to voters, and a direct focus on community needs provide the opportunity for Libertarians to thrive. Turney’s win shows that with the right strategy and focus on the issues that matter most to people, Libertarians can demonstrate how our principles can make a tangible and positive difference in daily lives. As Jim Turney put it,

“Running for major elected office with no local experience is like running a marathon without ever running a 5k. Start small, build your resume, and prove your ability to serve before scaling to the larger stages by joining a local service club (Rotary, Kiwanis, or Optimist), seeking appointment to your city and county citizen advisory boards (search for applications online), then consider running for a local office.”

I know the allure of higher office is strong. But let’s face it—our resources are limited, and our time is precious. Why continue pouring that precious time and energy into races where the chances of success are extremely slim? The true opportunity for Libertarians in Florida lies in local elections. Whether it’s a city council seat, a county board position, or a school board role, these offices provide the platform to enact meaningful change and establish credibility for future endeavors.

So, let’s rethink our strategy and refocus on local offices where we can make a real impact.

I challenge those of you who are running for county, state, and federal offices to pivot to local office. I believe we’ll see a better outcome, including notching real wins, if we change our approach.

Ultimately, any potential candidate should ask themselves: Where does the path to spreading liberty lead if we continue to lose race after race by incredibly wide margins? The answer lies in local politics, where we can build the foundation for a much larger movement of liberty.

Let’s take up the challenge and bring real freedom to Florida—from the ground up.