Libertarian Party Co-Founder Dead at 66

Libertarian Party co-founder David F. Nolan died unexpectedly in Arizona after making runs in recent years for the US Senate and House. He was 66. Nolan helped found the party with a group of colleagues at his home in Denver on Dec. 11, 1971. "He not only helped found the Libertarian Party but remained active and helped to guide our party for the last 40 years," said party chairman Mark Hinkle.

"We are now the third-largest political party in America, and one of the most persistent and successful third parties in American history, thanks in large part to David Nolan," he said. Nolan was active in Arizona politics and received about 5% of the vote this year as a Libertarian candidate for Senate against John McCain. During the campaign, Nolan said the most effective way to end border violence and cripple drug cartels was to decriminalize drugs. (More Libertarian Party stories.)