As reported on IPR, 2016 presidential candidate Jim “Libertarian” Burns died last month, according to Libertarian National Committee Executive Director Wes Benedict. Burns, who had suffered from an illness, was 67.
Burns founded the Nevada Libertarian Party in the 1970s. He was elected chairman twice, and coordinated several successful ballot access efforts. In addition, Burns ran for multiple offices including Mayor of Las Vegas, Nevada Assembly, United States Congress, and President of the United States. In 2012, Burns won election to the Beatty, Nevada Water and Sanitation District, a position he held until his death.
Despite three straight losses, at the time of his passing, Burns was on his fourth consecutive campaign for the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination. According to his website, he “just [did] not know how to quit.”
Burns’s departure leaves US Parliament participant Kip Lee, progressive activist Robert Milnes, and writer Darryl Perry as the only official candidates for the Libertarian Party’s 2016 presidential nomination. Others reportedly mulling a run include: Minerva councilman Phil Davison, retired judge Jim Gray, former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson, physicist George Phillies, attorney Warren Redlich, and former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura.