Jo Jorgensen

Joanne Marie Jorgensen (born May 1, 1957) is an American academic and libertarian political activist. Jorgensen is the Libertarian Party's nominee for president of the United States in the 2020 election.[1] She was previously the party's nominee for vice president in the 1996 U.S. presidential election as the running mate of Harry Browne.[2] She was also the Libertarian nominee for South Carolina's 4th congressional district in 1992, receiving 4,286 votes, or 2.2%.

Jo Jorgensen
Personal details
Born
Joanne Marie Jorgensen

(1957-05-01) May 1, 1957
Libertyville, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyLibertarian
EducationBaylor University (BS)
Southern Methodist University (MBA)
Clemson University (PhD)
WebsiteCampaign website

Early life and career

Jorgensen was born in Libertyville, Illinois, and raised in neighboring Grayslake. She is an alumna of Grayslake Central High School.[3] Her grandparents were Danish immigrants.

Jorgensen received a B.S. in Psychology at Baylor University in 1979 followed by a Master's in Administration from Southern Methodist University in 1980. She began her career at IBM working with computer systems, leaving there to become part owner and President of Digitech, Inc.[4] She received a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Clemson University in 2002.[5] She has taught full time since 2006 as a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Clemson University, a public, land-grant university in Clemson, South Carolina.[6][7]

Electoral history

1992 U.S. House of Representatives campaign

The first office for which Jorgensen ran was the 1992 United States House of Representatives election. She ran as a Libertarian to represent SC-4, in northwest South Carolina, against incumbent Democrat Liz J. Patterson and Republican Bob Inglis. Jorgensen placed third with 2.2% of the total vote.

South Carolina's 4th Congressional District Election Results, 1992
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Bob Inglis 99,879 50.3 +11.9
Democratic Liz J. Patterson (incumbent) 94,182 47.5 -13.9
Libertarian Jo Jorgensen 4,286 2.2 +2.2
No party Write-Ins 63 0.0 -0.2
Majority 5,697 2.8 -20.2
Turnout 198,410
Republican gain from Democratic

1996 vice-presidential campaign
See also: 1996 Libertarian National Convention

Prior to the 1996 United States presidential election, the Libertarian Party nominated Jorgensen to be the vice-presidential running mate of author Harry Browne. Jorgensen was nominated on the first ballot with 92 percent of the vote.[8][9] She participated in a vice-presidential debate televised nationwide by C-SPAN on October 22, along with Herbert Titus of the Taxpayers Party and Mike Tompkins of the Natural Law Party.[10]

Browne and Jorgensen, who were on the ballot in all 50 states and D.C., received 485,759 total votes, which placed them in fifth place with 0.5% of the popular vote. At the time, this was the Libertarian Party's best performance since 1980.

2020 presidential campaign
Main article: Jo Jorgensen 2020 presidential campaign
Further information: 2020 United States presidential election § Nominee, 2020 Libertarian Party presidential primaries, and 2020 Libertarian National Convention

On August 13, 2019, Jorgensen filed with the FEC to run for the Libertarian presidential nomination in the 2020 election.[11] She formally launched her campaign at the November 2, 2019 Libertarian Party of South Carolina convention, before participating in the official South Carolina Libertarian presidential debate the same day.[12]

In the non-binding Libertarian primaries, Jorgensen was second in the cumulative popular vote, winning two of the 12 primaries.

On May 23, 2020, Jorgensen became the official Libertarian presidential nominee, making her the first woman to become the Libertarian nominee and the only female 2020 presidential candidate with ballot access to over 270 electoral votes. Spike Cohen was nominated to be Jorgensen's vice president; Cohen is a mostly unknown figure in mainstream politics.[13][14] That same day, Jorgensen's supporters repurposed Hillary Clinton's unofficial 2016 campaign slogan, "I'm With Her". The slogan trended on Twitter that night and made national headlines.[15]

Political positions

Social Security

Jorgensen is critical of the current system and supports replacing it with individual retirement accounts.[16] She supports an option to opt out of Social Security, allowing anyone who took this route to invest 6.2% of their future payroll taxes in individual retirement accounts and receive prorated Social Security benefits for existing contributions as zero coupon bonds for retirement.[17]

In the final debate of the primaries, candidate Jacob Hornberger accused Jorgensen of "support[ing] the welfare state through Social Security and Medicare". In response, Jorgensen called Social Security a "Ponzi scheme" and said that she would allow people to opt-out of the program on her first day in office. However, she emphasized the constitutional inability of a president to unilaterally end the program without the support of Congress, as well as the need for the government to fulfill existing Social Security obligations.[18][19]

Criminal justice reform

Jorgensen opposes the seizure of property through federal civil asset forfeiture and the use of qualified immunity to protect police officers. She is also critical of the United States' incarceration rate.[20] She also wants to work with Congress to end the War on Drugs and other victimless crime laws.[21] She has said she would pardon anyone in prison who has been incarcerated for a victimless crime. Jorgensen opposes private prisons, solitary confinement for juveniles, mandatory minimums for people charged with drug possession, and the death penalty for drug traffickers.[22] She also supports amnesty for whistleblowers such as Edward Snowden, Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning, viewing them as an essential and necessary check on government corruption.[23]

War on drugs

Jorgensen opposes the war on drugs. Jorgensen has called the drug war a "failed" policy, and supports abolishing drug laws, promising to pardon all nonviolent drug offenders.[20][24]

Gun rights

Jorgensen supports the right to bear arms. She has stated she would abolish the ATF whose purpose, she believes, is to enforce "unconstitutional laws". [25] [26]

Police demilitarization

She promotes the demilitarization of police, saying that the police's duty "is to go after specific perpetrators of violent crimes, not to act as a force against the people."[27]

Environment

Jorgensen favors Generation IV nuclear power to reduce carbon emissions and she wants to remove barriers to replacing coal-burning and oil-burning power plants in the United States with nuclear power plants, in addition to allowing off-grid use of solar power. [28] She supports removing "subsidies of all forms of energy production, allowing emissions-free nuclear power a chance to compete on a level playing field" and supports the use of hydraulic fracking while holding "fracking companies responsible for damages."[29]

Foreign policy and defense

Jorgensen opposes embargoes, economic sanctions, and foreign aid. She favors the withdrawal of American troops from foreign wars.[30][31] She favors non-interventionism and free trade with other nations.[20]

Jorgensen opposes US involvement in foreign wars. Advocating armed neutrality similar to Switzerland's, she has promised to "bring the troops home."[32]

Government spending and debt

Jorgensen supports the Constitutional authority to block any new borrowing. She has pledged to veto any spending that leads to a deficit and any debt ceiling increases.[33]

Poverty

Jorgensen believes that the most effective way to help the poor is through the voluntary efforts of private groups and individuals paired with deregulation.[33][34] She wants to eliminate policies that, she argues, increase the costs of housing and health care, as well as those creating barriers to creating new businesses or entering professions.

Education

Jorgensen favors the decentralization and localization of education, and has proposed slashing or altogether eliminating the budget of the Department of Education, leaving the education of children to the states.[33]

Taxes

Maintaining that taxes currently are not voluntary, Jorgensen supports the abolition of the Internal Revenue Service and the elimination of federal income tax.[33]

Healthcare

Jorgensen supports a free-market healthcare system financed by providing individuals with a spending account and allowing individuals to keep any savings, which she believes would create an increased incentive for healthcare providers to compete by meeting consumer demand for low cost services.[35][36][37]

Immigration and trade

Jorgensen believes that American citizens should be free to travel anywhere they choose and to buy and sell anywhere in the world. She believes in eliminating trade barriers and tariffs and repealing quotas on the number of people who can legally enter the United States to work, visit, or reside.[38] In a Libertarian presidential primary debate, Jorgensen said she would immediately stop construction on President Donald Trump's border wall. During another primary debate she blamed anti-immigration sentiment on disproportionate media coverage of crimes by immigrants. She argued that immigration helps the economy and that the blending of cultures is beneficial.[39][40][41][42]

COVID-19

Jorgensen has characterized the U.S. government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic as overly bureaucratic and authoritarian, calling restrictions on individual behavior such as stay-at-home orders and corporate bailouts, "the biggest assault on our liberties in our lifetime".[36][39][43]

Personal life

Jorgensen is married and has two adult daughters and a grandson.[44]

gollark: Yes it does.
gollark: The [HVBG]Tech™ sites don't even contain Monopsony.
gollark: There were a number of lawsuits.
gollark: I can't sell you pronouns.
gollark: What of the "potato OS" vulnerabilities?

See also

References
  1. Winger, Richard (May 23, 2020). "Jo Jorgensen Wins Libertarian Presidential Nomination on Fourth Vote". Ballot Access Date. Archived from the original on May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  2. "Greenville Woman To Run For Vice President". Herald-Journal. Associated Press. July 11, 1996. pp. A3?. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  3. Susnjara, Bob (May 25, 2020). "Woman who grew up in Grayslake is Libertarian Party's presidential pick". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  4. "Jo Jorgenson | Meet Our Faculty | Who We Are | Center for Corporate and Professional Development". Furman University. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  5. "College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences | Faculty and Staff Profile". Clemson University. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  6. "About Jo Jorgensen Campaign". Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  7. "Faculty – Department of Psychology". Clemson University. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  8. Broder, David S. (July 7, 1996). "SEEKING POLITICAL BREAKTHROUGH, LIBERTARIANS PICK HARRY BROWNE". Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  9. "Libertarian Convention Acceptance Speeches". C-SPAN Video Library. July 6, 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  10. "Third Party Vice Presidential Debate". www.c-span.org. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  11. "Jorgensen, Jo CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT ID: P00013524". FEC.gov. August 13, 2019. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  12. Welch, Matt (November 7, 2019). "Candidates Vie to Represent the Libertarian Wing of the Libertarian Party". Reason. Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  13. Brian Doherty (May 23, 2020). "Jo Jorgensen Wins Libertarian Party Presidential Nomination". Reason.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  14. Steinhauser, Paul (May 25, 2020). "Libertarians pick first female presidential nominee". Fox News. Archived from the original on May 25, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  15. Obeidallah, Dean. "The truth about 'I'm with her'". www.cnn.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  16. "Social Security". Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  17. "Social Security Would Be Drastically Changed Under This Presidential Candidate's Plan". Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  18. Doherty, Brian (May 22, 2020). "Libertarian Party Presidential Debate Offers Choice Between All Liberty Now or Moving the Ball of Liberty Down the Field". Reason. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  19. "Final Libertarian Presidential Debate with John Stossel". YouTube. LibertarianParty. May 21, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  20. "Jo Jorgensen's Bold, Practical, Libertarian Vision for America's Future". Jo Jorgensen for President 2020. Archived from the original on May 25, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  21. "Criminal Justice Reform - Jo Jorgensen for President | 2020". Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  22. Dickey, Karl (July 25, 2020). "Which of the three presidential candidates support ending the War on Drugs?". Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  23. "Libertarian Presidential Nominee Jo Jorgensen on the Issues". Merion West. June 9, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  24. Dinan, Stephen (June 12, 2020). "Libertarian nominee says Trump, Biden both tainted on race". Washington Times. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  25. https://twitter.com/jorgensen4potus/status/1265036427869532161?lang=en
  26. https://twitter.com/jorgensen4potus/status/1273352630786576387
  27. DiStaso, John (June 4, 2020). "NH Primary Source: Libertarian presidential candidate Jorgensen urges end of police 'militarization'". WMUR. Archived from the original on June 18, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  28. "Environment | Campaign Issue | Dr. Jo Jorgensen for President". Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  29. Jorgensen, Jo. "Jo Jorgensen's vision for America's future. Questions and Answers". Jo Jorgensen for President 2020. Jo Jorgensen for President. Archived from the original on July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  30. "Turn America into One Giant Switzerland: Armed and Neutral,". Jo Jorgensen for President 2020. Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  31. Doherty, Brian (May 21, 2020). "Libertarian Presidential Contender Jo Jorgensen Wants To Combine Principle With Palatable Persuasion". Reason. Archived from the original on May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  32. Redman, Jamie (June 9, 2020). "2020 Libertarian Presidential Candidate Jo Jorgensen Talks Bitcoin, Endless Wars, Covid-19 Response". Bitcoin.com.
  33. Phillips, Chris (May 25, 2020). "Will Jo Jorgensen and the Libertarian Party hand the 2020 election to Trump?". The Millennial Source. Archived from the original on July 9, 2020.
  34. Solem, Rick (June 13, 2020). "The other 'Jo' wants your 2020 vote, if you're fed up with the two-party system, or if you're not". WIZM News Talk 1410 AM.
  35. "Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate Jo Jorgensen campaigns in Wisconsin". WSAW. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  36. "Jorgensen Brings Pragmatic Approach to Libertarian Presidential Campaign". The Amarillo Pioneer. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  37. "Libertarian Presidential Contender Jo Jorgensen Wants To Combine Principle With Palatable Persuasion". Reason.com. May 21, 2020. Archived from the original on May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  38. "Trade and Immigration | Libertarian Candidates stance | 2020". Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  39. "Libertarian Party Presidential Debate Offers Choice Between All Liberty Now or Moving the Ball of Liberty Down the Field". Reason. May 22, 2020. Archived from the original on May 22, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  40. "Final Libertarian Presidential Debate with John Stossel". Youtube.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  41. "Libertarian Party of Kentucky Presidential Debates: the Finale". Youtube. Archived from the original on July 11, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  42. Cami Mondeaux, “The alternative presidential candidate: Jo Jorgensen runs for the Libertarian Party”, KLS News radio 102.7 FM, July 5, 2020
  43. "NH Primary Source: Libertarian presidential candidate Jorgensen urges end of police 'militarization'". www.wmur.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  44. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Party political offices
Preceded by
Nancy Lord		 Libertarian nominee for Vice President of the United States
1996		 Succeeded by
Art Olivier
Preceded by
Gary Johnson		 Libertarian nominee for President of the United States
2020		 Most recent
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