2026 Endorsements
Chip Tangen
Candidate for MN Secretary of StateLike many Minnesotans, Chip Tangen is neither a Democrat nor a Republican. He is a coalition builder focused on advancing policies based on shared interests rather than party affiliation. Raised in Eden Prairie, Chip began his career as legislative counsel to U.S. Representative Jim Ramstad. He witnessed firsthand that the most inspiring leaders courageously collaborate across party lines.
Since 2016, Chip has aligned with the Libertarian Party, primarily drawn to its resolute opposition to military adventurism and unsustainable government spending. Only after joining a third party did he learn that Minnesota’s ballot access laws and policies are among the least progressive in the country. For too long, Minnesota’s secretaries of state have ignored the interests of independents. If elected, Chip will spearhead much-needed reforms to give voters more choices on their ballots. Moreover, he has no stake in the death matches between the major parties, so Republican and Democratic voters alike can depend on his impartiality.
Visit https://chipforsos.com
Rebecca Whiting
Candidate for U.S. SenateRebecca Whiting is the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate in Minnesota in 2026. A U.S. Army combat veteran and Iraq War medic who served two tours (Ramadi in 2004-05 during the Battle for Fallujah and Baghdad in 2006-07 with 2ID, 2BCT), Rebecca witnessed the human cost of unnecessary conflicts firsthand. She is a Christian, wife, and homeschooling mother of a large family living on a homestead farm they built in Bemidji, Minnesota. As a small business owner running a bakery and active in farmers markets and her community, she brings a working-class perspective shaped by frustration with the failed VA system, veteran suicides, burn pit illnesses, and a political oligarchy that prioritizes endless wars and corporate interests over the people.
Visit https://whiting4senate.us
TJ Hawthorne
Candidate for MN House District 44BTJ Hawthorne is an independent candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 44B. A Navy veteran who enlisted in 2001 and served five years of active duty, including an eight-month mobilization to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait in 2007, TJ has spent more than twenty years as a field service engineer and defense contractor, working in six countries including Afghanistan, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the UAE. Raised in North St. Paul, where he played hockey, baseball, and football, he is a married father of two boys and has volunteered at the North St. Paul Emergency Food Shelf since 2023, serving on its board since 2024. Tired of the two-party system’s failures and politicians who live above the law, TJ stopped complaining about the “sham” of the democratic process and entered the race to give voters a genuine alternative to the lesser of two evils.
Visit https://tjformn44b.com
Toby Leonard
Candidate for Mayor of MankatoToby Leonard is the Libertarian candidate for Mayor of Mankato. A 30-year Mankato resident, Army veteran, former college instructor, and longtime local businessman, Leonard has dedicated decades to community service through Upward Bound (since 1994, supporting underprivileged students), District 77 Robotics Coaching, Minnesota DNR Firearms Safety Instruction, Knowledge Bowl volunteering, and roller derby refereeing. He is also a proud father of two young women. Leonard’s platform focuses on lean and efficient government, wise stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and reducing regulatory burdens to foster business growth and economic vitality. He supports practical reforms such as updating rental codes to increase housing supply and affordability, alongside data-driven approaches to public safety—all rooted in limited government, individual liberty, and free-market principles that align strongly with Libertarian values.
Visit https://mankatomayor.com/toby-leonard