The following is the opinion and analysis of Dru Heaton:

Sunshine Libertarians.  In a historic election, the 2024 Libertarian National Committee (LNC) Convention delegates chose Chase Oliver as our presidential candidate. This nomination triggered a cascade of opposition both within the party and without - some I anticipated, but some I did not.  As I write this, I have received word that the Montana state affiliate has denounced Mr. Oliver entirely, and I hear other Libertarians throwing their influence to candidates outside of our party.

Immediately after Mr. Oliver's nomination, an avalance of images along with regurgitated phrases vibrated the social media airwaves and misrepresented his positions by positing he is for government mask and vaccine mandates and 'transing' kids.  Judge for yourself.  Watch the LNC presidential debate @LibertarianParty on YouTube.

Mr. Oliver wore a COVID mask.  I rarely meet anyone who, beginning on day one of the pandemic response, refused to mask, as I did.   If someone chooses to wear a mask now for whatever reason, it is none of my business.  Mr. Oliver states his case clearly, "(P)eople want to make decisions for themselves and not be shamed that they made a decision differently than their neighbor.  You can make whatever decision you want in your life.   I will never ever, ever allow the government to make that decision for you."  Libertarian.

Mr. Oliver suggested people get the COVID-19 vaccine.  I rarely meet anyone who is completely unvaccinated - including those, like myself, who advocate for informed medical and health consent.  Additionally, not everyone who rejects the COVID-19 vaccines rejects all other vaccines, as I do.   While I am convinced that all vaccines have some type of permanent or lasting negative effect, I respect the right of individuals and parents to make medical and health choices for themselves and their children.  I understand the current outrage some of you have about these government mandates, but where were you when it did not affect you, your employment, or your business?  Where were you when these same policies discriminated against already injured adults and children ... for decades?   Mr. Oliver correctly states, "One-size-fits-all healthcare is not Libertarian" and "I don't trust government medicine ... I would get rid of the FDA, NIH, and the CDC.   We do not need these government agencies conrolling our lives."  Libertarian.

Mr. Oliver supports parents who seek gender-affirming care for their children.  He has stated, "I've always had the position that surgery is for 18 and older ... I'm not in support of 'transing' kids.  I support parents meeting with their doctor to determine the best healthcare decisions for their kids on a case-by-case basis ... (U)ltimately, a doctor should not be required by government nor an insurance company or any kind of mandate to violate their oath or their desire to help and heal, period."   "I don't want to tell you how to raise your kids, and I don't want to tell other parents how to raise their kids because that's not my job.  My job is to reduce the size and scope of government and the abuses that exist."  Libertarian.

The test of one's Libertarian commitment to principle is precisely the active defense of those with whom you disagree.  It is especially true in the act of supporting the liberty of someone.  Not. Like. You.  And that is why, despite our religious and cultural differences - the differences of our social and medical choices - Mr. Oliver and I seek shelter in the same party of principle - united in the only political movement against an omnipotent state that seeks to criminalize individuals for exercising their individual rights.  Regarding masks, vaccines, or health decisions for ourselves and our children, the question is, "Who decides?"  Presidential candidate Chase Oliver and I promote the Libertarian solution: "Not the state!"

Dru Heaton is the chair of the Libertarian Party of Pima County and an Arizona delegate.