Libertarian presidential candidate visits Purdue for discussion

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Libertarian party U.S. presidential candidate Gary Johnson visited Purdue University on Tuesday (Sept. 13), where he took part in a discussion sponsored by Purdue Young Americans for Liberty, a student organization.The event took place at the France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center.

Purdue President Mitch Daniels hosted the event and led the on-stage discussion with Johnson.

The university has invited each of the presidential candidates that appear on Indiana’s ballot to visit campus. Johnson was the first to commit.

Johnson served as New Mexico’s governor for two terms, from 1995-2003, as a member of the Republican party and ran for president as a Libertarian in 2012 after withdrawing as a candidate for the GOP nomination. His vice presidential running mate is William Weld, former two-term governor of Massachusetts (1991-97).

Johnson, 63, who began his career as an entrepreneur while still a student at the University of New Mexico, is described as a fiscal conservative and social liberal. He turned Big J Enterprises, a mechanical contracting business, into a large corporation with more than 1,000 employees. He is self-described as the nation’s most fiscally conservative governor and as “Governor Veto,” having vetoed more than 750 bills during his time as governor. He is an avid skier, adventurer and bicyclist who has scaled the highest peak on each of the seven continents. 

Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu  

Source: Michael Thompson, president, Purdue Young Americans for Liberty, thomp407@purdue.edu