Michigan Libertarian Party Disavows Its Gubernatorial Nominee Over Homophobic Remarks
In late September 2026, the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Michigan formally broke ties with its nominee for governor, Anthony Hudson, withdrawing all political and financial backing from his campaign. The unprecedented decision to disavow its own standard-bearer came after a series of controversial public statements, including Hudson’s use of homophobic slurs on social media and his direct attacks on the party’s platform supporting LGBT rights.
According to Michigan public broadcaster WGVU News, state party leaders announced they were “washing their hands” of the campaign and publicly disassociating from any connection to Hudson’s candidacy. The dispute escalated in mid-September when the party board formally censured Hudson over online remarks that featured anti-gay slurs, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and praise for former President Donald Trump’s military interventions abroad—positions at odds with traditional Libertarian anti-war philosophy. District 10 Representative Mike Saliba emphasized: “We’re not very well known. So, if they hear something coming from the top of the ticket, they’re going to believe that’s what we believe in.” State First Vice Chair Scott Boman added that displays of hostility and intolerance toward other people’s lifestyles are incompatible with core libertarian values.
Responding to the party’s censure, Hudson posted a series of fiery videos online, repeatedly using profanities against party officials and criticizing the Libertarian Party’s longstanding support for LGBTQ equality, as well as its platform advocating for the decriminalization of cannabis and psychedelics. Hudson argued his statements were protected under the First Amendment, accused party leaders of censorship, and claimed he was disavowing the party himself: “Thank you for the ballot access, but I am a true independent that stands up for the right of the people here in the state of Michigan.” Because deadlines to change ballots have passed and absentee voting is already underway across Michigan, Hudson will remain listed as the Libertarian nominee on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot.
Anthony Hudson is a Michigan entrepreneur who initially launched his gubernatorial campaign as a Republican before joining the Libertarians in February 2026 and securing the party’s nomination at its June convention. The US Libertarian Party has traditionally championed limited government, personal liberty, and equal rights regardless of sexual orientation, having supported the decriminalization of homosexuality and marriage equality decades before America’s major political parties.
LGBTQ rights and rhetoric continue to be major fault lines in American politics ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Previously, Uránia reported on attacks by conservative Republicans against Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick over his support for LGBT anti-discrimination legislation, highlighted internal debates among Democrats over candidates with conservative voting records, and examined how Canadian conservative leader Éric Duhaime blends free-market libertarian economics with an explicit commitment to gay equality.
