WASHINGTON, D.C. - Former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel and long-time LP activist, author and scientist Dr. Mary Ruwart have added their names as candidates seeking the Libertarian Party nomination in Denver at the National Convention.
Senator Gravel, a two-term Democrat Senator, had recently been seeking the nomination within the Democratic Party. Gravel served Alaska in Congress from 1969 to 1981.
"I'm joining the Libertarian Party because it is a party that combines a commitment to freedom and peace that can't be found in the two major parties that control the government and politics of America," says Gravel. "My libertarian views, as well as my strong stance against war, the military industrial complex and American imperialism, seem not to be tolerated by Democratic Party elites who are out of touch with the average American; elites that reject the empowerment of American citizens I offered to the Democratic Party at the beginning of this presidential campaign with the National Initiative for Democracy."
Joining Gravel is long-time Advocates for Self-Government director, Dr. Mary Ruwart. Ruwart is a best-selling author with her 2003 book, Healing Our World.
In her writings, Ruwart uses a wealth of historical examples to demonstrate that liberty eliminates poverty, protects the environment, deters crime, restores victims, penalizes discrimination, promotes peace, and encourages love of neighbor. Without ever using the word “rights,” Ruwart makes the moral and practical case for liberty compelling, not just to conservatives and rationalists, but to liberals, environmentalists, pragmatists, minorities, Christians, and those with a “New Age” orientation.
Gravel and Ruwart join a strong cast of contenders for the party's nomination. The list includes George Phillies, Wayne Allen Root, Bob Jackson, Daniel Imperato, Michael Jingozian, Christine Smith, Mike Kubby, Alden Link and Daniel Williams.
