Meet Jonathan Miller - Libertarian Party of North Carolina Candidate for NC Senate, District 16

Jonathan's Website

The Bill of Rights - Jonathan's Album

Jonathan's Ballotpedia Page

Jonathan on LibertyLead with C. Michael Pickens

The Political Freedom Fighters Podcast - Episode 30 (Introducing Jonathan Miller)

Wampus Wombus Monster III Esq

Jonathan Interview with the Tar Heel Libertarian:

Tar Heel: You’ve described yourself as a lifelong Libertarian who discovered the party in 1996 and decided to run after seeing races with no Libertarian option in 2020. What finally pushed you from the sidelines into running for the NC State Senate in District 16?

Jonathan: As I'm sure everyone remembers the world was kind of coming apart at the seams in 2020. When I voted in that election I knew how huge it is that the Libertarian Party has ballot access in the state. I expected to see more libertarian candidates. I reached out to the Wake County Libertarian Party and I believe I just offered myself as a name on a ballot if they needed one. It was rather spontaneous. I know the response was that they have a weekly meeting on Wednesdays at Tobacco Road in downtown Raleigh and I should attend. So I started going.

For the last several years I have attended the meetings and worked on learning about state and local politics. The players and the issues and what's going on behind the scenes. I see the Libertarian Party making a real difference in North Carolina and want to be part of that. I want to help move the party forward and hope to make a real impact in the future of North Carolina.

Tar Heel: You live in Cary in the fast-growing Research Triangle area. How has your experience as a resident of Wake County shaped your priorities for District 16?

Jonathan: I've watched this County change drastically. I've watched the state change too. A lot of the things that need to change have stayed pretty much the same. There's a lot of things I expected to change by now that barely get talked about. I love my community and I want to see it thriving. I see the government getting in the way more often than helping. I want to be a voice for the issues that get swept under the run.

Tar Heel: Your campaign slogan is “Life, Liberty & Carolina Pulled Pork.” What does that phrase mean to you personally, and how does it reflect your approach to state politics?

Jonathan: I'm really glad you brought that up. I'm sure most folks know the phrase “Life, liberty and the the pursuit of happiness” from the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson. When I was barely old enough for school I remember sitting in my Mama Katie's living room and she told me we were kin to George Mason IV, Virginia statesman and Founding Father. Turns out both of my parents can trace themselves back to George Mason. He wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights which was unanimously adopted on June 12th 1776 by the Fifth Virginia Convention. I believe a quote from inspired Jefferson's use of the phrase "That all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.” Both men were inspired by John Locke and the real origin of it traces back to him and the spirit of it probably traces back through the ages. Finding out I was related to a Founding Father give me a lifelong love of American history and North Carolina history. After all what's cooler on the schoolyard and being related to George Mason IV? I've always loved the phrase and to me being able to invite all your family and friends to a pig pickin’ is obtaining happiness. We're all pursuing happiness in our own way, so I guess that's my subtle way of sharing my pursuit of happiness with my potential voters and showing my love for the culture of North Carolina.

Tar Heel: As a Libertarian running in a deep-blue suburban district, how do you explain the core principles of limited government, individual liberty, and fiscal responsibility to voters who are used to the major parties’ platforms?

Jonathan: I think that’s part of the beauty of being a Libertarian. I have a lot of common ground with Democrats. I understand the issues they fight for. Sometimes my solutions are different. Sometimes they're pretty similar. I've been writing legislation as a way to show I'm qualified to do so and able to draft solutions to the problems. I've read lots of bills from Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly and have found inspiration for provisions in my drafts. I can always find common ground with Democrats and Republicans. I want to build bridges and create compromises between my idea of Liberty and the way things are.

Tar Heel: Many voters see Libertarians as “neither left nor right.” Where do you think the Democratic incumbent and Republican challenger in your race are both getting it wrong on big-government solutions?

Jonathan: Both the Democrat and the Republican in this race support big government. They just want it to control different things.

The Democrat’s answer to most problems is more spending, more regulations, and more bureaucracy. The Republican talks a good game about smaller government, but then backs corporate handouts, heavy-handed rules on personal choices, and using state power on social issues instead of trusting people and families.

They both keep growing government, just in different directions. That’s why nothing ever gets smaller or cheaper for folks in Cary and Wake County. As a Libertarian, I say we stop that cycle, cut the overreach, and let people live their own lives.

Tar Heel: What’s one area where you believe North Carolina state government has overreached the most in recent years, and how would you roll that back as a state senator?<

Jonathan: The North Carolina Senate has 50 members and when I'm elected I'm likely going to have 49 people from opposition parties. I feel like it would be unrealistic for me to believe that I could roll much of it back, but I will stand in front of the boulder and push on it to try and slow it down.

I think most government is over reach by it's very nature, but the state level thing I find most egregious lately is the mid decade redistricting. I don't like that every time power shifts from one party to another the new winner gets out their crayons and plots to hold the power through the cunning use of lines on a map.

Tar Heel: You’ve proposed ending prohibition on cannabis in North Carolina. What would your bill look like in practice—full legalization for adult use, home growing, taxation levels, and any criminal justice reforms tied to it?

Jonathan: I imagine it'll look a lot like it does now except there will be less people in cages and more tax revenue. I think there's a lot of criminal justice reforms that need to be made. I'm still working on what that looks like. Cannabis prohibition needs to happen. I understand that there are risks associated with habitual use. Those risks exists if North Carolina business owners profit and taxes get collected from it or if Mexican cartels and street gangs profit from it untaxed. It's not going anywhere. It's been growing in the soil of this state since the early 1700s and isn't going anywhere. Today 30 people in North Carolina are having one of the worst days of their life because they were arrested for cannabis. Tomorrow 30 more are going to be arrested. This has a real impact on real people because of virtually harmless choices they made.

Tar Heel: Your property tax reform plan calls for eliminating taxes on owner-occupied primary residences. How would you make up the lost revenue for local governments and schools without raising other taxes?

Jonathan: I have a complete tax reform plan, but it's still a little fluid. I haven't made it available publicly yet because I've been gathering input. I wrote the current draft a few months ago. Since then I've heard some new ideas. Basically, I want to transition North Carolina to a consumption tax system. It was very tricky to come up with the same amount of money necessary to fund the state county and local governments, but I believe I've done it. I've shared my ideas with other Libertarians to much criticism positive and negative. I've learned of a few new taxation tricks I might consider utilizing before publishing. Democrats often complain about not taxing the rich enough. I believe my progressive sales tax plan would get their approval. All tax revenue would go to the state with 45% split among the counties and municipalities. The property tax reform plan that you're referring to is a compromise. I would like to eventually see no property tax at all. So much of local revenue is derived from it though, so this is a step forward at least. My current draft does not include this provision, but I am also considering a clause where towns and counties have ballot initiatives to raise money for specific expenditures, but with a twist. The way that would work is if you vote Yes, you pay for it. If you vote No, you don't. I haven't worked out language on it yet though. I've seen similar proposals and I really kind of like the idea. It allows for the voluntary improvement of your community.

Tar Heel: You’ve introduced (or plan to introduce) the “Education Choice and Performance Act,” which includes universal Education Savings Accounts worth about $11,000 per student, performance pay for teachers, and easier rules for teacher-led micro-schools. Walk us through how this would work for a typical family in Cary and why you believe it’s better than the current public-school system.

Jonathan: Some parents will choose to allocate their $11,000 to the public school their child is assigned. I believe for some parents it will open the door to other options. Homeschooling. Traditional private schools. A new kind of private school this bill will allow the creation of. For some families it won't change much. They have a great public school and their child is receiving a great education. I think that's the exception to the rule though. For many families it will change everything. People all over the state of North Carolina have limited choice in primary school education. I believe my plan creates a competitive market for education. Public schools will be forced to be better schools or the other options will make them obsolete. I want to see our public schools excel and be the envy of the nation, but without competition from the free market they have no incentive to do that. 85% of our children go to public schools. It's not because the parents believe in the public schools, it's because that's the only real option for most families.

Tar Heel: Critics of school choice often worry it drains money from traditional public schools. How do you respond to that concern, especially in a high-growth district like yours?

Jonathan: If the schools are doing a satisfactory job they have nothing to worry about. Parents will allocate the education funds to the public schools giving their kids the education they deserve. If the schools are failing the students, maybe their money ought to be drained.

Tar Heel: North Carolina faces major budget pressures, rising costs, and debates over Medicaid expansion and healthcare access. What’s your Libertarian take on reforming healthcare and entitlement spending at the state level?

Jonathan: North Carolina’s got real budget problems and healthcare costs keep climbing. My Libertarian take is pretty straightforward: government is a big part of why costs are so high.

Medicaid expansion just locks more people into a broken system and sticks the taxpayers with a bigger bill every year. Instead of expanding government healthcare, we should open up real competition.

The more we let government run healthcare, the more expensive and less responsive it gets for working families in Cary and Wake County. Real reform means getting bureaucrats out of the way and letting markets and individuals drive solutions.

Tar Heel: Criminal justice reform is a big Libertarian priority. Would you support further changes to sentencing, bail reform, or the war on drugs beyond cannabis legalization?

Jonathan: Yes, I’d support real criminal justice reform beyond just ending cannabis prohibition.

We need to stop locking people up for victimless crimes, shorten sentences for non-violent offenses, and fix our broken bail system so folks aren’t sitting in jail just because they’re poor. The war on drugs has been a expensive failure that wastes tax dollars and ruins lives. Let’s focus law enforcement on actual crimes with victims theft, assault, murder instead of harassing people over personal choices.

North Carolinians deserve a justice system that’s fair, cheaper and actually makes us safer.

Tar Heel: Guns and Second Amendment rights are hot-button issues in North Carolina. Where do you stand on constitutional carry, red-flag laws, or any new restrictions?

Jonathan: The right to keep and bear arms should not be infringed. There should be a path for non-violent felons to restore their gun rights. Red flag laws are gun confiscations without due process and the elected officials who support them should be ran out of politics. As far as I'm concerned there is only one gun law, The Second Amendment of the Constitution. The State of North Carolina needs to start following that law.

Tar Heel: Abortion remains a divisive topic post-Roe. As a Libertarian, how do you balance the principles of life and individual liberty on this issue at the state level?

Jonathan: Overturning Roe v Wade was the right decision because it never should have been a federal issue to begin with. Unfortunately that leaves us in a mess where every state is legislating it their own way based on who's in power. I don't think the government should have any power to make decisions in this regard. I personally don't believe people should have abortions except for in extreme cases, but I don't think the State of North Carolina should have any say in it.

Tar Heel: With hurricanes, flooding, and coastal development concerns, what’s your stance on disaster relief, insurance reform, and environmental regulations—do you favor more market-based solutions or less government involvement?

Jonathan: Absolutely. I've seen the government waste billions of dollars on nonsense while my fellow North Carolinians suffered hardships because of natural disasters. I've watched unnecessary regulations create unnecessary struggles for businesses. Insurance is a complete disaster and need serious reform in ways nobody's even talking about. The government is always getting in the way of what people really need.

Tar Heel: Wake County is booming with tech jobs, traffic congestion, and housing costs. What specific economic or infrastructure reforms would you push for to keep Cary and surrounding areas affordable and business-friendly?

Jonathan: Wake County’s growth is great, but traffic and housing costs are squeezing folks.

<I’d push to cut red tape on housing so we can build more homes and keep prices down, reform occupational licensing to make it easier for people to start businesses, and prioritize road infrastructure fixes over expensive light rail dreams. Lower taxes and less regulation will keep Cary and the Triangle affordable and business-friendly without growing government bureaucracy.

Tar Heel: Property taxes and education are huge local issues in District 16. Beyond your two flagship proposals, how would you address rising home values and school overcrowding without expanding government bureaucracy?

Jonathan: Rising home values and school overcrowding both come from too much demand and too little supply.

Beyond ending property taxes on primary residences, I’d slash zoning and permitting red tape so builders can actually build more homes and keep housing affordable. No new government programs needed, just get the bureaucrats out of the way.

On schools, universal Education Savings Accounts already fix overcrowding by letting parents choose better options and forcing public schools to compete and run more efficiently. Most of the state's problems can be worked out in the free market.

Tar Heel: Voter turnout among independents and Libertarians is often low. How are you planning to mobilize non-traditional voters in a district that leans Democratic?

Jonathan: Voter turnout for independents and Libertarians is low because people feel like their vote doesn’t matter in a deep-blue district. I’m changing that by talking straight to them and offering real change from the politics that made them apathetic.

I’m not asking them to vote for the lesser of two evils. I’m giving them a real choice. When folks see someone who actually believes in limited government and personal liberty on the ballot, a lot more of them show up. That’s how we grow the Libertarian vote in District 16.

Tar Heel: Running as a Libertarian in a three-way race against a Democratic incumbent and Republican challenger is tough. What’s your strategy for getting your message out and actually winning (or at least forcing the major parties to address your ideas)?

Jonathan: I've met with both of my opponents and discussed ideas I thought they would find favorable. I'm doing the same thing talking directly to voters. Finding out what matters to them and letting them know my solutions to the problems that affect their lives.

I’m giving people a real choice instead of the same old big-government options. If enough independents and fed-up folks turn out, we can win. Even if we don’t take the seat this time, forcing the Democrats and Republicans to address lower taxes, school choice, criminal justice reform, and less government interference is still a victory. Most of the problems in this state can be solved by the free market we just need more people hearing that message.

Tar Heel: If elected, what would be your top three legislative priorities in the 2027 session, and how would you work across the aisle to get them passed?

Jonathan: If elected, my top three priorities in the 2027 session would be:

• Criminal justice reform — ending the failed war on drugs, shortening sentences for non-violent offenses and fixing the bail system.
• Property tax relief — eliminating taxes on owner-occupied primary residences and moving toward a consumption-based tax system.
• Education choice. Pushing for my education bill with universal Education Savings Accounts, performance pay for teachers and micro-schools.

I’ll work across the aisle by finding common ground. Democrats care about fairness and helping working families. Republicans talk about smaller government and better schools. I’ll show them how these Libertarian solutions actually deliver results for the people of District 16 without growing bureaucracy. Most of the problems in this state can be solved by the free market, we just need lawmakers willing to get government out of the way.

Tar Heel: Looking ahead, what does success look like for the Libertarian Party of North Carolina in the next few election cycles?

Jonathan: Success for the Libertarian Party of North Carolina over the next few election cycles looks like this: more Libertarians running for office across the state, bigger vote totals in every race and actually winning some seats starting right here in Senate District 16.

We keep ballot access, build a real grassroots organization and become the go-to alternative for independents and fed-up voters. The major parties will have to start stealing our ideas on taxes, school choice and criminal justice just to keep up.

Most of the problems in this state can be solved by the free market. When enough North Carolinians hear that message and vote for it, the Libertarian Party becomes a real force in Raleigh.

Tar Heel: For voters who like your ideas but are hesitant to “waste” their vote on a third-party candidate, what would you say to convince them that supporting you sends a powerful message to Raleigh?

Jonathan: To folks who like my ideas but worry about “wasting” their vote: I’ve heard that line my whole life. The real wasted vote is pulling the lever for the same two parties and expecting anything to change.

Voting for the Democrat or Republican just gets you more of the same — bigger government, higher taxes, and less freedom. Supporting me sends a clear message to Raleigh: we want lower taxes, real school choice, criminal justice reform, and less bureaucracy. Every Libertarian vote grows our voice and forces the major parties to pay attention.

You’ll never get real change by voting for more of the same. This time, vote for what you actually believe in.