The Chicago Tribune and The Detroit News join The Richmond Times-Dispatch, The Winston-Salem Journal and the New Hampshire Union-Leader in endorsing Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson.

Both the Tribune and The Detroit News pointed out that Johnson and Weld, unlike the other tickets, have public executive experience and are candidates Americans can be proud to vote for.

Libertarian Party of North Carolina state chair Brian Irving issued this statement in response to the tragic events in Charlotte the last few days: 

We join with the Scott family in this unimaginably difficult time to remember their son Keith: a husband, a father of seven children, and a vital member of his community. While we wait for the painfully careful processes of investigation and adjudication, we mourn the fact his life has been needlessly cut short and that his family grieves. Our state is poorer for all that has happened over the last days. 

We also join in mourning with the family of Justin Carr, who was shot and killed during the unrest in Charlotte this week. 

Both of these deaths were senseless and unnecessary. 

We have let this go on for too long. Further inaction is unacceptable. North Carolina must become a home where its citizens are free to err, and free to begin again, fresh and hopeful. Legislators should repeal victimless crime laws so there are fewer warrants, indictments, and reasons to stop and frisk. 

North Carolinians should focus on supporting families and building communities instead of making new laws and adding more bodies to the jails. 

“For a moment, every public official and all civic leaders must put down their political ambition and forget their differences,” said Lon Cecil, Libertarian candidate for governor. “We all must see that what ended these lives was the tension that North Carolina has cultivated between our people and our law enforcement agencies.” 

“Keith Scott was among millions in daily fear for his life,” Cecil said. “He did not throw his life away. It was not a whim. It is not reasonable or excusable, because of some supposed momentary lack of judgment, that he is gone.” 

Olen Watson, Libertarian candidate for state House 38 added, “We must remember Keith Scott, Akiel Denkins, and those whose lives have been taken before them. We must consider these losses as a call to action, to be better than we have been.” 

It's official. The Libertarian Party is on the ballot in all 50 states, plus D.C. This is the first time in 20 years a "third party" has been able to jump this hurdle in 20 years. The last time it was done was in 1996 by -- the Libertarian Party.

"Thanks to the commitment of Libertarian Party members, donors, and volunteers, we've overcome the ballot access hurdles put in place by the two old parties," said Nicholas Sarwark, Chair of the Libertarian National Committee.

"It took thousands of hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars, but we did it to give every American a Libertarian on their ballot so they don't have to waste their vote on either of the two bullies the old parties nominated for president."

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Steven Seay is the new Libertarian candidate for state House 36 in Wake County. The Wake County Libertarian Party named him to replace Brian Irving, who resigned his candidacy late last month for personal reasons. 

“I am tired of cronyism and those who think they know what's best for the people who are below middle class, the people who live paycheck-to-paycheck” said Seay. “I live, work, and play on the ground level. I know what the people who are marginalized by the actions and policies of the two established parties need and want.”

“Steve Seay has been an advocate for freedom for many years and has graciously agreed to take up the arduous work of being the candidate,” said Bruce Basson, Wake vice chair.

“As a small business owner, musician, and father of four, Steven always has his hands full and now will be working even harder to make a difference in North Carolina. With no lack of talent and work ethic, he was an obvious choice to represent district 36.”

Irving's name will still appear on the ballot. According to election officials, any votes he received will be counted for Seay.

For more information about the WakeLP, visit: http://www.wakelp.org/