‘I’m Reaching a Lot of People:’ Buzuma Running to Highlight Libertarian Platform

Our government is set up as a two party system but there are other options. This is a time where voters seem to want more options.

It has been a long time since any party other than the Republicans or Democrats had a chance to win any major elections. A third party upset still is unlikely but it’s becoming more appealing as voters feel less loyalty in their parties.

In the race of the governor’s office, there is the incumbent, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and the challenger Tudor Dixon. Democrat versus republican. 

However, there are other candidates. There’s US Taxpayer Party, the Green Party and then the party that most people truly consider the third option, the Libertarian Party.Their candidate is Mary Buzuma of Grand Haven and she’s trying to get a foothold, in a time when a lot of people are disenfranchised by the Red and the Blue.

“That is why I’m running,” said Buzuma, “Because the Democrats and Republicans have disappointed us.”

Buzuma doesn’t think she will be Governor but she’s going to try. If she falls short, the Libertarian candidate hopes to at least open eyes to her party’s platform.

“We believe that people should be free to choose how to live their lives without a lot of interference,” she said.

It’s a little mix of both, fiscally conservative and yet socially liberal. Do what you want as long as you don’t bother others and pay as little as possible in taxes.

“I’m not wasting my time,” said Buzuma, “I’m reaching a lot of people.”

Buzuma sees great interest in those ideals but says voters need to be brave enough to show it in the ballot box.

“The only way the two parties will ever get better is through competition,” said Buzuma, “And I am your competition.”

Buzuma says her party has grown. When she ran in 2014, she got 1.1%  of the vote. In 2018, party candidate Bill Gelineau received 1.3% and any growth from that will show their message is sticking.

“I’d love to get 5%,” said Buzuma, “Instead of 1%  or 2%. I’d like to at least double what I did in 2014.”