The Libertarian Party of Illinois ran a full slate of candidates this year, with a guy named Lex Green at the top of the ballot. A “Green” Libertarian? Confusing! No wonder they didn’t meet the five percent threshold required to more easily get on the ballot in 2014. (Neither did the Green Party, though.)
Given the GOP’s proclaimed support for limited government and fiscal conservatism, you might think Illinois Libs would derive some consolation from the Republicans regaining control of the U.S. House and several state governorships. Nationwide, the victories of Republicans such as Kentucky senator-elect Rand Paul and Minnesota Congressswoman Michele Bachmann—who proudly aligned themselves with the fiscally conservative, pro-small government Tea Party movement—would make them even happier, you might also suspect. After all, the national Libertarian Party claims the Tea Party movement began right here in Illinois, with anti-tax protests organized by state Libs back in 2008 and 2009.
Yeah, you might think. But you’d be wrong.