Mises Caucus
The Libertarian Party Mises Caucus (LPMC) is a caucus within the Libertarian Party in the United States that promotes paleolibertarianism,[5] as well as a more radical version of American libertarianism associated with the presidential campaigns of former U.S. congressman Ron Paul. It was founded in 2017 by Michael Heise, mainly in opposition to Nicholas Sarwark's position as party chairman and the pragmatic faction of the party associated with the presidential campaigns of former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson. It is named after economist Ludwig von Mises.
Not to be confused with the Mises Institute or Ludwig von Mises.Abbreviation
LPMC[1]
2017
Michael Heise
C00699785[2]
Political realignment of the US Libertarian Party behind the ideas of Ron Paul
US$568,890.55[4]
US$484,907.97[4]
The caucus has support of some prominent libertarians, such as comedian Dave Smith, political commentator Tom Woods, and radio host Scott Horton.[6][7] Ron Paul once called the caucus "the libertarian wing of the Libertarian Party."[8] The caucus has also been highly controversial, and has been accused of their critics of harboring bigotry or being plants of the Republican Party, which the Mises Caucus denies.[9]
The Mises Caucus has shifted the Libertarian Party further toward the right ever since their party’s national convention in May 2022.[9] As of 2022, the Mises Caucus is the largest caucus of the Libertarian Party, and controls all leadership positions on the Libertarian National Committee as well as 37 state affiliates.[10][11]
Criticism[edit]
The Mises Caucus has been highly controversial within and outside the Libertarian Party.[10][12] The Southern Poverty Law Center classifies the group as far-right.[47] The caucus has been accused of harboring racists,[10] anti-semites,[48] and transphobes.[10][28] The caucus strongly denies these claims.[b]
In his resignation letter as LNC chair, Bishop-Henchman accused the Mises Caucus of having a "toxic culture" and "bad actors" that is "destroying and driving people away from the party".[10][26][28] In June 2021, former congressman Justin Amash criticized the Mises-controlled New Hampshire affiliate for "edgelording" and being unprofessional in their messaging.[49][50]
Former New Hampshire legislator Caleb Q. Dyer criticized the caucus for claiming neutrality in the culture war "while picking the right-wing side", and called it disingenuous.[10]
In December 2021, Jeremy Thompson, Libertarian Party of Massachusetts Director of Operations explained to the Libertarian National Committee how the comments from Mises-controlled Libertarian Party of New Hampshire were not just "mean words" but “actual harassment”.[51]
In May 2022, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) said that "Members of the Libertarian Party are concerned about the Mises Caucus winning control of the party at the May 26 national convention, ushering in an era of collaboration between the U.S.'s largest third party and the hard-right movement inside the Republican Party”.[52] The SPLC said that Caucus chair and founder Michael Heise had cited donations received from Patrick M. Byrne and nominated Daryl Brooks for Governor of Pennsylvania.[52] Both Byrne and Brooks promoted the conspiracy theory that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump, the SPLC said.[53][54]