The 2008 Libertarian Party presidential primaries allowed voters to indicate non-binding preferences for the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate. These differed from the Republican or Democraticpresidential primaries and caucuses in that they did not appoint delegates to represent a candidate at the party's convention to select the party's nominee for the United States presidential election. The party's nominee for the 2008 presidential election was chosen directly by registered delegates at the 2008 Libertarian National Convention, which ran from May 22 to 26, 2008. The delegates nominated former congressman Bob Barr (who did not run in the primaries) for president and media personality Wayne Allyn Root for vice president.
Two primaries were held, one in Missouri and one in California.[2] A total of 18,915 votes were cast in these primaries.
2002 and 2006 Libertarian nominee for Arizona governor[5]
891
Mike Jingozian
853
Daniel Imperato
848
Dave Hollist
819
Robert Milnes
721
John Finan
706
Alden Link
565
Alternate ballot options:
Uncommitted
N/A
967
Primaries and caucuses[]
California primary[]
Type: Semi-Closed
In the California primary on February 5, the Libertarian Party had a state-run primary held alongside those for the Republicans, Democrats, the Green Party, the American Independent Party and the Peace and Freedom Party.[6]
California Libertarian presidential primary, February 5, 2008[6]
Candidate
Votes
Percentage
Christine Smith
4,241
25.2
Steve Kubby
2,876
17.1
Wayne Allyn Root
2,360
14.0
Bob Jackson
1,486
8.9
Barry Hess
891
5.3
George Phillies
852
5.1
Mike Jingozian
774
4.6
Robert Milnes
721
4.3
Daniel Imperato
707
4.1
John Finan
706
4.1
Dave Hollist
678
4.0
Alden Link
565
3.3
Leon L. Ray (write-in)
1
0.0
Total
16,858
100
Missouri primary[]
In the Missouri primary on February 5, the Libertarian Party had a state-run primary held alongside the Republican and Democratic primaries.[7]
Missouri Libertarian presidential primary, February 5, 2008[7]
Candidate
Votes
Percentage
Uncommitted
967
47.0
Wayne Allyn Root
370
18.0
Steve Kubby
196
9.5
George Phillies
163
7.9
Dave Hollist
141
6.9
Daniel Imperato
141
6.9
Mike Jingozian
79
3.8
Total
2,057
100
2008 National Convention[]
Main article: 2008 Libertarian National Convention