Michigan Libertarians Disavowed Gubernatorial Candidate
Party leadership officially distanced itself from nominee Anthony Hudson following concerns over his rhetoric.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Political Parties
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The Libertarian Party of Michigan voted on September 13, 2026, to censure and disavow its own gubernatorial candidate, Anthony Hudson. The move follows leadership concerns regarding the candidate's use of slurs and his public policy positions.
Why it matters
The formal disavowal aims to decouple the party's platform from the candidate's controversial statements. It highlights the internal friction that can arise when a party's leadership and its top-of-ticket nominee hold opposing views on core principles.
The Libertarian Party leadership issued a public statement of disassociation following a September 13 vote. Despite this, election officials have confirmed that Anthony Hudson remains on the ballot for the upcoming Michigan gubernatorial election.
The players
Anthony Hudson
He is the Libertarian Party gubernatorial nominee in Michigan who previously ran as a Republican candidate.
Libertarian Party of Michigan
This is the state-level political organization that formally disassociated itself from its own candidate.
The details
Party leadership moved to cut ties after Hudson expressed support for military actions in Iran and Venezuela, while also criticizing established party stances on drug legalization and LGBTQ rights. Hudson, who previously sought the Republican nomination for governor, has faced scrutiny for his use of a homophobic slur and anti-Muslim language.
Timeline
Hudson withdrew from the Republican gubernatorial race in February 2026.
Anthony Hudson secured the Libertarian nomination in June 2026.
Leadership voted to censure Hudson on September 13, 2026.
Hudson participated in an interview with Michigan Public Radio on September 29, 2026.
Political Context
Opposition leaders and party dissidents have criticized the candidate's alignment with non-Libertarian foreign policy stances and his offensive rhetoric. These groups argue that such positions fundamentally alienate the core base and damage the party's credibility in Michigan.
As absentee voting has already begun in Michigan, voters will still see the candidate's name on the ballot regardless of the party's official stance. Citizens should be aware that the party has withdrawn all campaign support and resources from this specific candidate.
The takeaway
This event serves as a reminder that political parties hold limited legal power to remove candidates once they reach the general election ballot. Voters interested in aligning with party platforms should track official candidate endorsements rather than relying solely on party affiliation labels.
Further reading
For additional context on local party operations, visit the Political Parties section.
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Should political parties have the power to disavow candidates who express views opposing party platforms?
