Jo Jorgensen's 2020 presidential campaign

Nomination and running mate

At the Libertarian National Convention, held online because of public health restrictions, delegates selected Jorgensen after multiple rounds of balloting. Her nomination was notable as she became the Libertarian Party's first woman to be its presidential nominee. The convention also chose Spike Cohen as the vice presidential candidate; Cohen had been the running mate of Vermin Supreme during the earlier stage of contesting the party ticket. Both the original running mate pairing and the eventual ticket were covered closely within party circles and libertarian media.

Platform and campaign themes

Jorgensen campaigned on core libertarian principles: reducing the size and scope of federal government, protecting individual freedoms and privacy, reforming the criminal justice system, and opposing prolonged overseas military engagements. Her messaging emphasized personal liberty, fiscal restraint, and regulatory rollback as routes to economic opportunity. The campaign also addressed pandemic-era concerns, arguing for balancing public-health measures with civil liberties and economic protection for individuals and small businesses.

Campaign context and operations

The campaign operated largely with the limited infrastructure typical of third-party efforts in the U.S., relying on volunteers, grassroots organizing, and online outreach. The pandemic constrained in-person events and pushed much activity onto digital platforms. Like most third-party candidates, Jorgensen's ticket faced barriers to inclusion in the nationally televised presidential debates and worked to secure ballot access or write-in status state by state.

Endorsements and reception

Jorgensen received backing from several former and contemporary libertarian figures and candidates. Prominent endorsements included former Libertarian and independent officeholders and 2020 primary opponents. Supporters who publicly endorsed the campaign included:

• Lincoln Chafee
• Justin Amash
• Adam Kokesh
• Jacob Hornberger
• Vermin Supreme
• Gary Johnson (former Libertarian presidential nominee)
• Spike Cohen (running mate)

Legacy and notable facts

The campaign is remembered for achieving a milestone within the party by nominating its first female presidential standard-bearer and for navigating an unusual, pandemic-affected nomination process. It highlighted perennial third-party challenges in U.S. presidential politics: ballot access, media visibility, and debate inclusion. After the election, observers and party activists assessed the campaign's outreach efforts, its policy messaging, and its role in sustaining a distinct libertarian presence in national discourse.