Michael Badnarik

Michael Badnarik, the 2004 presidential nominee of the Libertarian Party, passed away shortly after celebrating his 68th birthday at his San Antonio home. In a post on his official website before his death, Badnarik discussed his vibrant life and displayed an awareness of his inevitable passing. Badnarik had experienced health issues for several years. Badnarik was born in Hammond, Indiana. He attended college at Indiana University. Badnarik was a state and national candidate for office, running for Texas House Districts 47 and 48 in 2000 and 2002, respectively. He would run for and win the Libertarian Party presidential nomination in 2004, defeating other candidates at the convention including Gary Nolan and Aaron Russo. Badnarik would place fourth in the general election and earn just under 400,000 votes. Badnarik would run once more for Congress in Texas in the following election cycle, raising close to $450,000 and earning four percent of the vote.