Austin Petersen

Austin Wade Petersen (born February 19, 1981) is an American political activist, producer, commentator and writer, best known as the runner-up for the Libertarian Party's nomination for President of the United States in 2016.

Early life and education

Petersen was raised on a farm in Peculiar, Missouri, the son of Donna and John D. Petersen. He attended Missouri State University, where he graduated with a degree in musical theater.^[3][4]

Career

Early work

Petersen's early career included stints as a model and as a product demonstrator at FAO Schwarz; at the latter position, he briefly appeared during a Late Night with Conan O'Brien sketch filmed at the store.^[3]

In 2008 Petersen worked for the Libertarian National Committee and the Atlas Network, before accepting a position as an associate producer at the Fox Business program FreedomWatch.^[3][4] He later went to work as director of production at FreedomWorks.^[3][4]

Politics

By 2015, Petersen was living in Kansas City, Missouri, "behind a midtown QuikTrip".^[3] That year he announced his candidacy in the 2016 Libertarian Party nominating convention for president of the United States.^[5][6] Writing in the Los Angeles Times, Petersen was described by Matt Welch as "an eager libertarian dudebro on the make".^[7]

From the start of his bid for nomination, Petersen voiced and published his rejection of the non-aggression principle, one of the foundation principles of the libertarian philosophy and party.^{[8][9][10][11]} During his campaign he affirmed a pro-life stance, while also declaring he was the Bernie Sanders of the Libertarian Party due to his grassroots fundraising strategy.^[12][13] After Ted Cruz terminated his campaign for the Republican Party's nomination for president, Petersen received the backing of Mary Matalin and Erick Erickson.^[14][15] On May 29, 2016 at the Libertarian National Convention, Petersen lost the nomination to Gary Johnson, getting second place on the second ballot.^[16] Petersen congratulated Johnson on the win and gave him a replica of George Washington's pistol. Petersen then refused to endorse Johnson's vice presidential pick William Weld, in response to which Johnson placed the replica into a garbage can. Petersen, thereafter, endorsed Johnson for president.^[17][18][19]

Current activities

As of 2016, Petersen is the owner of a photo and video consulting firm and the publisher of "The Libertarian Republic", a libertarian news and commentary website.^[14][20][21]

Personal life

On social media and in interviews, Petersen has described himself as an atheist,^[22][23] and as an agnostic.^[24] He resides in Kansas City, Missouri.^[3][4]

References