2028 Libertarian Presidential nominee
$1.4K
NOV 7, 2028
Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleStand-up comedian
Political ideologyLibertarian
GenderMale
BackgroundStand-up comedian
Notable personal detailsDavid Smith is an American stand-up comedian, podcaster, and libertarian political commentator known for hosting the podcast Part of the Problem. He has been active in Libertarian Party circles, including speaking at the 2024 Libertarian National Convention, and is associated with the party’s Mises Caucus. He considered running in the 2024 Libertarian presidential nominating process but did not enter the race.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Dave Smith supports eliminating major government institutions and reducing or removing federal taxation; he has said he would abolish the IRS and expressed anarcho‑capitalist views that favor minimal or no government. His public statements align with calls for removing federal tax machinery and sharply limiting government spending and programs.
Immigration & Border
The candidate supports stronger border controls and restrictions on immigration relative to an open-borders position while framing those policies within a libertarian rationale; he argues that government-controlled public property makes some limits on immigration defensible and expresses concern about demographic effects of large-scale legal immigration.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Dave Smith has publicly described himself as pro-life and has argued against pro-choice positions in podcasts and commentary. His statements indicate opposition to at-will abortion and support for restricting abortion access, though public sources do not lay out a detailed policy platform with specific permissible exceptions.
Climate & Energy
Expresses skepticism of framing climate change as requiring emergency-style government interventions and opposes large-scale regulatory/centralized mandates; favors weighing costs and preferring less authoritarian, market-oriented responses rather than Green New Deal–style policies. Positions emphasize civil liberties and limiting government power when considering climate and energy measures.
Public Safety & Guns
Dave Smith strongly opposes most gun control and defends broad Second Amendment rights, arguing against restrictions on private gun ownership and advocating ending gun-control laws. He frames defensive gun use and the right to keep arms as important protections against state coercion.
News
Dave Smith is in the news because a California ballot initiative has been filed to repeal the state’s top-two primary system and put the question before voters in 2028. The proposal is being pushed as a response to concerns that the current system could hurt Democrats and third-party candidates in statewide races. It still needs major funding and enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising