Libertarian Party is trending upwards in Nebraska – 1011now

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - When you think politics, the parties that typically come to mind are republicans and democrats, but a third party is growing across Nebraska: The Libertarian Party.

One Nebraska senator describes the Libertarian ideals as promoting as little government interference in everyday life as possible, lower taxes, and a free market.

"I vote for the people who I think are going to do the job, I want them to act on their values," said Trevor Reilly.

Reilly is the chair for the Lancaster County Libertarian Party, but just a few years ago he was in the marines and a registered Republican, then he decided he wanted a change.

"Being a prior Republican I didn't agree with a lot of it, I didn't agree with the Trump media going on, so when I found the Libertarian party, I jumped into the campaign," said Reilly.

Trevor's not the only high ranking Libertarian who is a former member of the Grand Old Party.

Senator Laura Ebke is the only Libertarian senator in the unicameral, and said the political shift is becoming more and more apparent.

"I think that what we are finding is that people, especially young folks, are more and more turned off by the partisan rancor that goes on," said Senator Ebke.

Right now there are less than 13,000 registered Libertarians, but Senator Ebke believes this is only the start.

"I'd like to see it be a competitive party I think that a long ways coming, but I think we can become an influential party," said Senator Ebke.

The latest registered voter numbers show the Libertarian party is growing at a faster rate than the two major parties.

These numbers from the Nebraska Secretary of State show the percentages of registered Libertarians in Nebraska are just a little more than 1% of the almost 1.2 million Nebraska voters, but it's trending upwards.

Party members understand they are still a very small percentage, but there are plans to grow.

"Starting to run people for local elections, city county offices, school board and things like that, so I think that's a win and that's a way you build a party," said Senator Ebke.

And there are now specific benchmarks Libertarians want to hit by the next presidential election.

"Right now the state party's goal is to actually get 50,000 registered Libertarian voters by 2020," said Reilly.

"If we get to 50,000 that's big, for Nebraska, that's a significant amount of the voting population, and we can make a difference in a lot of elections then," said Senator Ebke.

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Libertarian Party is trending upwards in Nebraska - 1011now