Phil Anderson (politician)

Phillip Anderson (born January 22, 1965) is an American politician and former chairman of the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin. He ran for Governor in the 2018 Wisconsin gubernatorial election with Patrick Baird as his running mate.[1] At the 2018 Libertarian National Convention, Anderson became Regional Alternate for Region 6 in the Libertarian National Committee.

Phil Anderson
Phil Anderson announcing his campaign for Governor on the steps of the State Capitol, October 2017
Chair of the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin
In office April 22, 2017 – May 5, 2019
Preceded by	Terry Gray
Succeeded by	Matthew Bughman
Personal details
Born	Phillip N. Anderson (1965-01-22) January 22, 1965 Beloit, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party	Republican (2020–present)
Other political affiliations	Libertarian
Children	2
Residence	Fitchburg, Wisconsin, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin–Madison University of Balamand

Career

Anderson is currently a Fitchburg realtor with First Weber.[2] From 1985 to 1988, he was a U.S. Army combat medic.[3]

He began his political career in 2014 running as an Independent (on the ballot) against incumbent Robb Kahl for the 47th district seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly, garnering 18.4 percent of the vote.[4] Anderson ran again in 2016 (as a Libertarian) in the Wisconsin U.S. Senate election, against incumbent Ron Johnson and former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold. Anderson spoke at 2016 Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson's campaign rally at Serb Hall in Milwaukee.[5] Anderson finished with roughly 3 percent of the vote. In October 2017, Anderson launched his campaign for Wisconsin Governor for the 2018 election.[6] Anderson finished third in a field of six candidates in the general election, garnering just under one percent of the vote.[7]

Political positions

Anderson holds typical libertarian views. The primary focus of Anderson's 2018 gubernatorial campaign was restoring local control, allowing counties, local municipalities and school boards to make decisions free from state intervention.[8][9] Anderson has said he would act on criminal justice by legalizing marijuana in the state, and by pardoning all those convicted of a victimless crime. He also called for repealing the state income tax.[9]

Anderson opposes military intervention, stating U.S. foreign policy has created more terrorists. While pulling back from drone strikes and military action overseas, Anderson believes the U.S. should still maintain a strong defense.[10]

Anderson has been openly critical of the Foxconn deal, in which Governor Scott Walker approved a new factory for the company in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, costing the state $3 billion.[11] Anderson said he is skeptical as to whether Foxconn will be able to pay back the investment over multiple years, due to a fast developing technology industry.[12]

Anderson advocates reform of the rules in Wisconsin elections, favoring a move towards ranked-choice voting and preferential voting which he states would "allow people to vote their desires without fear of wasting their vote".[13]

Electoral history

Wisconsin State Assembly 47th district general election, 2014[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Democratic	Robb Kahl	20,332	81.6	10.7
	Independent	Phillip Anderson	4,596	18.4	N/A
Turnout			24,928	100.0

United States Senate election in Wisconsin, 2016[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Republican	Ron Johnson (inc.)	1,479,471	50.2	-1.7
	Democratic	Russ Feingold	1,380,335	46.8	-0.2
	Libertarian	Phillip Anderson	87,531	3.0	N/A
		Write-In Votes	8	0.0	N/A
Majority			99,136	3.4	-1.5
Turnout			2,947,345	100.0
	Republican hold

Wisconsin gubernatorial election, 2018[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Tony Evers	1,324,648	49.6
	Republican	Scott Walker (incumbent)	1,293,799	48.4
	Libertarian	Phillip Anderson	20,320	0.8
	Green	Michael White	11,080	0.4
	Independent	Maggie Turnbull	18,785	0.7
	Independent	Arnie Enz	2,715	0.1
Majority			30,841	1.2%
Total votes			2,671,347	100%
	Democratic gain from Republican

References

1. Reistad, Meghan (October 21, 2017). "Libertarian Party of Wisconsin celebrates 2018 campaign kickoff". Retrieved October 21, 2017.
2. Anderson, Phil (October 23, 2014). "Phil Anderson, Libertarian candidate in Assembly District 47". The Cap Times. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
3. Freyburg, Frederica (host) (December 22, 2017). "Here & Now for Dec. 22, 2017". Here and Now. Wisconsin Public Access Television. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
4. "Canvass Results for 2014 GENERAL ELECTION - 11/4/2014" (PDF). Retrieved November 18, 2017.
5. "Libertarian Gary Johnson Targeting Wisconsin". CBS 58 – WDJT Milwaukee. August 29, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
6. Reistad, Meghan (October 21, 2017). "Libertarian Party of Wisconsin celebrates 2018 campaign kickoff". NBC 15 WMTV. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
7. "Wisconsin Governor Election Results". New York Times.
8. "We will return more control to citizens, businesses, and local government..." Retrieved November 19, 2017.
9. "Libertarian Phil Anderson discusses his run for governor on Capital City Sunday". WKOW ABC 27. November 13, 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
10. Sommerhauser, Mark (August 19, 2016). "Meet Phillip Anderson, the Libertarian who could play spoiler in Wisconsin's U.S. Senate race". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
11. Paquette, Danielle (September 18, 2017). "Scott Walker just approved $3 billion deal for a new Foxconn factory in Wisconsin". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
12. Speckhard Pasque, Lisa (November 12, 2017). "Libertarian candidate for governor says he offers a break from two-party bickering". The Cap Times. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
13. Keller, John (February 13, 2018). "Freedom's Future – Interview with LPWI Chair Phil Anderson". 71 Republic. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
14. "2016 General Election" (PDF). State of Wisconsin. November 8, 2016. Retrieved December 20, 2016.

External links

• Phil Anderson for Governor campaign site
• Issue positions and quotes at On the Issues

Party political offices
Preceded by Terry Gray	Chair of the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin 2017–2019	Succeeded by Matthew Bughman