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Articles by Nolan Schmidt Libertarian
Schmidt: County Libertarian filling vacant state secretary seat
Throughout the month of October, as the election came ever closer and closer, the position of Libertarian Party of Texas secretary opened and was eventually filled. Despite being six months being elected into the position at the state convention, on Oct. 11, I made the very difficult decision to resign from being the secretary of the Libertarian Party of Texas. There were no controversies behind me or any big promotion. Instead, it was a tragic event that made my decision final.
Schmidt: County Libertarians hosting candidate forum
The Libertarian Party of Guadalupe County is hosting a candidate forum on Saturday at the Seguin Schoolyard in hopes to have county residents who are either unsatisfied with the choices the Republican or Democrats have or who is interested in hearing from third party candidates. With early voting starting on Monday, Oct. 19, the fine folks at Libertarian Party of Guadalupe County want you to get the chance to meet our candidates.
Schmidt: Botched execution brings up death penalty moral debate
Last Wednesday, Christa Pike was scheduled to be executed for the brutal murder of Colleen Slemmer in 1995, but everything didn’t go through as planned at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville. Pike was prepped and ready to be executed via lethal injection but, somehow, she survived the first attempt.
Schmidt: Seguin Exchange is a good dispensary opportunity
There has been a lot of news recently with the revealed businesses that will be coming to the brand new Seguin Exchange. Some may be opposed to big businesses like Target coming to our city, and others are excited for other businesses like Olive Garden and a proposed new cinema. However, there are some opportunities for other businesses that are truly needed in Guadalupe County: a medical marijuana dispensary or two.
Schmidt: Former national Libertarian chair reveals true colors
There are things that never shock me as a Libertarian. Most elected officials, especially here in Texas, don’t listen to their constituents, break promises, and tend to get away by leaving a bigger mess for the next generation of elected officials to either fix or mess up more. When it comes to inner-party politics, the thing that never surprises me is that Angela McArdle is a MAGA Republican in Libertarian clothing, and she’s more open about it than a Hedda Hopper gossip column.
Schmidt: Don’t be fooled by the promise of free money, again
The old saying goes, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” However, there shouldn’t be a case for a third time when the promise is of a government rebate or dividend just because a certain person or party is in office or power.
Schmidt: Ted Brown is the better choice for our senator
Out of all of the statewide races in our Lone Star State, the one that many seem to be focused on right now is the U.S. Senate race where we have seen a lot of focus on Republican Ken Paxton, our attorney general who cheated on his wife and let an unregistered sex offender go free, and Democrat James Talarico, a former teacher and a current state representative.
Schmidt: Drag ban is a total drag on free speech, other things
Last week, U.S. District Judge David Hittner struck down Texas’ ban on drag shows as unconstitutional. In his written ruling, Hittner declared that, “the vast majority of the law’s numerous applications violate the First Amendment because all the performances that it has an actual impact on are constitutionally protected and are targeted for prohibition based on content and viewpoint.” Now, this isn’t the first time he struck this asinine law down.
Schmidt: Republican-backed censorship has no place in county
As a born-and-raised Texan and a staunch Libertarian, I am firmly for open expression of views that don’t incite or promote violence, as well as theft toward my fellow American citizens, no matter if they are natural born or immigrated here from another country. When it happens here in my own home county by several people of a certain local political party, it definitely makes my blood boil.
Schmidt: Texas continues to go backward on making THC legal
I have lost count of how many columns I have written on the topic of cannabis. However, it seems that with there being more support for cannabis products within the Lone Star State, there is less support by those who are currently elected in office. As of this year, the only cannabis products that are legal and allowed are CBD oils, topicals, tinctures, and hemp-derived edibles and beverages.
Schmidt: State Board of Ed ignores, violates children’s rights
Last Friday, the Texas Board of Education approved a required K-12 reading list that included biblical verses and teachings that aims to begin in the 2030-31 school year in a 9-5 vote. While Republicans may be cheering for this matter, many are outraged as requiring any type of religious text from one religious faith onto all public school students is a violation of the rights of children who are not Christian.
Schmidt: County GOP chair’s newsworthy actions abhorrent
Terry Harper has been in the news again. Anyone who knows Harper, the chair of the Guadalupe County Republican Party, knows he claims to be a “conservative” but he treats everyone he disagrees with — no matter their political affiliation — with an unprofessional attitude. kAmp yF?6 d 2CE:4=6 :? %96 $68F:? v2K6EE6 @FE=:?65 9@H w2CA6C’D 92C2DD>6?E @7 7@C>6C vF252=FA6 r@F?EJ t=64E:@?D p5>:?:DEC2E@C rC:DE:2?
Schmidt: The disaffiliation of the New Hampshire affiliate
Last week, I wrote on what took place at the Libertarian National Convention in Grand Rapids, which resulted in a much needed new professional leadership getting elected to lead the national Libertarian Party. One of the biggest problems that occurred, as mentioned in the same column, was the interruptions and chaos caused by the New Hampshire delegation, which was led by its chair, Jeremy Kauffman.
Schmidt: Wind of change comes for the Libertarian Party
During Memorial Day weekend, Libertarians from across the nation gathered in Grand Rapids for the Libertarian National Convention and it was quite an eventful chain of events. Before Libertarian National Convention Chair Steven Nekhailia called business to order Friday, there was already drama as several delegates were de-credentialed for running for public office as Republicans in their respective states.
Schmidt: New ‘Animal Farm’ adaptation misses the mark
In 1945, George Orwell published his novella “Animal Farm” in the United Kingdom. This fable of farm animals taking over their home after forcibly removing their abusive owner for it to fall under an authoritarian rule under the pig Napoleon is a well-known allegory of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Communism as well as the rule of Joseph Stalin. It was one of Orwell’s warnings to readers along with his 1949 novel “Nineteen Eighty-Four” against authoritarian government.
Schmidt: Libertarians prepare to gather at national convention
Next week, many Libertarians across the nation will gather in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the 2026 Libertarian National Convention. Many of them will be delegates from all the state affiliates who will vote on the new leadership for the party as well as changes to the platform and bylaws.
Schmidt: Time for cannabis prohibition to go up in smoke
Within the past couple of weeks, we have seen smokable hemp products get pulled off shelves of dispensaries across the state of Texas. Then the hemp industry here in Texas introduced a lawsuit and, due to an injunction, we now have smokable hemp products on dispensaries shelves until July.
Schmidt: Texas Libertarians meet at state convention
This past weekend, members of the Libertarian Party of Texas met at the Abilene Convention Center for the 2026 Libertarian State Convention. Members, delegates, alternates and guests of the party arrived throughout the day Friday while they were met with carnival activities and a fundraiser. They got to watch a debate featuring several of the state-wide candidates as well as a guest speech by Dr. Mary Ruwart of Liberty International followed by a night of karaoke.
Schmidt: Local party retains members, elects leaders and delegates
This past week, numerous county affiliates of the Libertarian Party of Texas had their precinct and county conventions, and Guadalupe County was one of these affiliates. Despite our list of registered members going down to six, we still retained our strongest supporting members within our county.
Schmidt: Very little growth, change in primaries in county
In my last column, which was published Feb. 18, I discussed how the primaries in the 2024 election year had a low turnout of 20%, and that only 16% of registered voters in Guadalupe County voted Republican and 4% voted Democrat. Now that the main primaries are done — though there are several runoff races that will take place in May — let’s talk about this year’s primary percentage numbers.
Very Little growth, change in primaries in county
In my last column, which was published on Feb. 18, I discussed how the primaries in the 2024 election year had a low turnout of 20%, and that only 16% of the registered voters in Guadalupe County voted Republican and 4% voted Democrat. Now that the main primaries are done with — though there are several runoff races that will take place in May — let’s talk about this year’s primary percentage numbers.
Schmidt: Libertarians nominate through conventions, not primaries
As of the release of this column, early voting for the primaries will be within its second day, and already those who have voted would be affiliated in either the Republican or Democratic party. For us Libertarians, we do not take part in the primaries. Instead, we do everything via conventions starting with our precinct conventions Tuesday, March 10 at the Seguin Schoolyard. kAm(:E9 E96 6=64E:@? =2HD 96C6 :? %6I2D[ 2?J@?6 H9@ G@E6D :? E96 AC:>2C:6D :D 566>65 :?6=:8:3=6 E@ A2CE:4:A2E6 :?
Schmidt: The Trump administration continues to embarrass
Back in December, I heavily criticized the Trump administration’s Justice Department for releasing the Epstein Files in a near-fully redacted form instead of the full, unedited, un-redacted version as required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, meaning the Justice Department itself broke the law.
Schmidt: Trump, administration’s recent actions embarrassing
In the past week, I have been very critical of some recent events involving President Donald Trump and his administration. At this point, I ask anyone who still supports him why they continue to do so, as both of these actions are disgusting and hypocritical. Last Sunday, actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were brutally killed and their son, Nick, was arrested and two charges of first-degree murder in connection to their deaths.
Schmidt: 9 Libertarians vie for state seats in November election
In my past couple columns, I wrote about how several races next year will have a Libertarian on the ballot across Texas. Last week, after many candidates across Texas filed to run for office, it was announced that nine races will have a Libertarian candidate featured on the ballot in all 254 counties. This is all thanks to the Libertarian Booster PAC as well as the individuals who decided to run for office as a Libertarian.
Schmdit: Two more Libertarians announce candidacy for state office
In last week’s column, I discussed the three statewide offices up for election next year that will have a Libertarian candidate on the ballot. Ted Brown will be running for the U.S. Senate, Pat Dixon for Texas governor, and either Shanna Steele or Anthony Cristo for lieutenant governor. I mentioned at the end of the column if there were any additional candidate announcements for any of the other statewide offices, I would write an update.
Schmidt: Libertarian candidates announce bids for state offices
Within the past couple of weeks, several members of the Libertarian Party of Texas started making announcements of their campaigns for public office for either local, state or federal positions. With this coming election year becoming an interesting one to behold, a few members of the Libertarian Party of Texas threw their hats in the ring for some of the biggest races to pay attention to. First is the race for the U.S. Senate.
Schmidt: Human respect beats government aggression
This past weekend, members of the Libertarian Party of Texas met in San Antonio for two different events. The first was the quarterly meeting of the State Libertarian Executive Committee, where officers, staff and committees gave their reports before the elected members voted on the 2026 budget as presented to them weeks prior.
Schmidt: Ludwig von Mises quote remains relevant today
“As long as nations cling to protective tariffs, immigration barriers, compulsory education, interventionism and statism, new conflicts capable of breaking out at any time into open warfare will continually arise to plague mankind.” This quote hits the common man very hard when you read it. What is scary about this quote is that it is true, and it was originally from a book published in 1927 by one of the greatest economists and political philosophers of all time. kAm{F5H:8 G@? |:D6D :D D66?
Schmidt: Trump’s 100% tariff threat on films is asinine
Right before the end of September, President Donald Trump announced his intention to place a 100% tariff on films made outside the United States. It is an idea that has been heavily criticized by individuals in the film industry as it will heavily hurt the industry as many films today are mostly produced outside the country.
Schmidt: National Committee censures New Hampshire affiliate
On Sept. 12, Libertarian National Committee at-large member Samuel Bohler moved to censure the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire for posting an image of a Hasidic Jewish man flying a plane toward the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers with the caption “We Did It” the day prior as well as several homophobic slurs toward their critics on their official X account.
Schmidt: Seguin ISD needs to stop ignoring problems and fix them
Back in August 2016 when I was starting out as a columnist for A Libertarian View, I wrote the column, “Seguin ISD needs responsible leadership.” At the time of the column’s publication, I heavily criticized the Seguin ISD Board of Trustees as well as the superintendent at the time, Stetson Roane, for the jumbotron and trying to censor the criticism of the local radio station by trying to purchase it as “an opportunity for students to use.” Things seemed to get better after Roane’s removal...
Schmidt:
Back in August 2016 when I was starting out as a columnist for A Libertarian View, I wrote the column, “Seguin ISD needs responsible leadership.” At the time of the column’s publication, I heavily criticized the Seguin ISD Board of Trustees as well as the superintendent at the time, Stetson Roane, for the jumbotron and trying to censor the criticism of the local radio station by trying to purchase it as “an opportunity for students to use.” Things seemed to get better after Roane’s removal...
Schmidt: Trump too sensitive to cartoon’s presidential portrayal
Last Wednesday, the adult-aimed animated television show, “South Park,” aired its premiere episode for its 27th season after a long hiatus due to both Paramount+ and HBO Max fighting over streaming rights for the series, with the exception of the exclusive specials and the 1999 movie for which Paramount+ had all the rights.
Schmidt: Ed Clark: A true Libertarian leader to remember
On July 2, many members of the Libertarian Party found out the tragic news that one of its well-known members passed away on June 18. Ed Clark was an important figure to the party, and he was a man that held a three decade long record for the party until 2012. For those who might remember Clark or heard of him, he was a member of the party since its founding in 1971 after being disappointed by Richard Nixon’s handling of wage and price controls.
Schmidt: Governor’s vetoing of SB3 is right move for Texas
On the night of June 22, right before midnight, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott made the decision to veto SB3, which would’ve banned all THC products in the state of Texas, after receiving many calls and letters asking him not to pass into law the controversial bill that Lt. Gov. Dannie (Patrick) Goeb (who I refer to by his birth name and not his well-known fake name) promoted during this past legislative session.
Schmidt:
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote on how the Republican majority of the Texas House of Representatives voted against HB4309, which would’ve allowed the filing fees of third-party candidates within Texas to go to the parties like the filing fees for the Republicans and Democrats do instead of going into the General Fund.
Schmidt: Texas House denies Texans fair elections for third parties
On May 13, the Texas House of Representatives voted on HB 4309 — a very important bill that would have made elections fairer for third-party candidates. If passed, this bill would have allowed the filing fees for third parties, including the Libertarian and Green parties, to go to their parties to assist in paying their nominating conventions as the filing fee for the Republican and Democrats goes to their parties to pay for their primaries.
Schmidt: RFK Jr. assumptions, views are wrong about autism
In recent weeks, many members of the special-needs community, especially those who have autism spectrum disorder, were outraged by comments made by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about autism and individuals with autism.
Schmidt: State lawmakers should leave hemp THC products alone
Last Monday, The House Committee of State Affairs met at the Capitol in Austin to discuss two bills that would heavily impact the multi-billion-dollar hemp industry if passed. The bills are HB28, which aims to regulate hemp-derived products to not have any THC with the exception of beverages, and SB3, which aims to ban THC altogether in the state of Texas.
Schmidt: Libertarians hold deep roots in Texas Karaoke Caucus
During the same weekend as the State Libertarian Executive Committee meeting, a brand new caucus within the party had its first meet-up event following the long business day that each State Libertarian Executive Committee member experienced. Members of the newly formed Texas Karaoke Caucus met at Julio’s Mexican Grill in Magnolia for both dinner and a night filled with singing as the restaurant hosted a karaoke night for diners and guests.
Schmidt: Libertarians host executive committee meeting
This past weekend, the members of Libertarian Party of Texas’ State Libertarian Executive Committee met in The Woodlands for its fourth quarterly meeting of the year. The meeting was called to order at 9:01 a.m. with 37 members present after roll call was done by Secretary Christy Ford. After the adoption of the agenda and approving the minutes from the previous meeting, the officers and staff of Libertarian Party of Texas gave their respective reports.
Schmidt: County’s elections academy is an enlightening course
Last week, I was one of several individuals in Guadalupe County to attend one of the two course sessions of the Guadalupe County Citizens Election Academy. The election academy was created and hosted by the amazing staff at the Guadalupe County Elections Office and led by Elections Administrator Lisa Hayes. Within the past couple of weeks, there was a total of two sessions. The first was held on the evenings of July 30 and Aug. 2, and the second, which I attended, was held on the evenings of Aug.
Schmidt: State Libertarians oppose Kennedy support, vote against Texit
This past Saturday, the State Libertarian Executive Committee met in Tyler to have its first meeting since the Libertarian Party of Texas’ State Convention in April and out of all of the items within the meeting, only two stood out that created much discussion within the body. The first was a motion to adopt a resolution for a referendum on Texas Independence and the other was a motion to adopt a resolution against the Libertarian National Committee’s joint funding partnership with the Robert F.
Schmidt: Guadalupe Libertarians denounce decision, chair
On Sunday, July 21, the Libertarian Party of Guadalupe County made the following statement on its Facebook page: “The Libertarian Party of Guadalupe County strongly denounces the Libertarian National Committee’s decision to create a joint funding partnership with the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. campaign.
Schmidt: Acts of violence, claims they were staged must end
I will admit that this will be a tough column for me to write due to the recent news that made me very upset, but it has led me to discussions with my closest friends and family who are just as upset about it as I am. On Saturday, July 13, a 20-year-old man named Thomas Matthew Crooks took eight shots at former President Donald Trump from a building near where he was holding a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, with a rifle that was legally purchased by his father.
Schmidt: Chase Oliver named Libertarian presidential nominee
In my last column, I wrote how the Mises Caucus-affiliated National Chair of the Libertarian Party Angela McArdle invited former President Donald Trump to the Libertarian National Convention, and the chaos that happened when he tried to tell a bunch of delegates to nominate him as the official Libertarian candidate.
Schmidt: Trump’s appearance at national convention was contentious
At the time of writing this column, it is late Sunday night in Washington, D.C., where a little more than 1,000 Libertarians are nominating the Libertarian Party leadership for the 2024-2026 term. A lot has happened during the weekend as delegates from across the country met at the nation’s capital to elect not just the leadership but the presidential ticket as well.
Schmidt: Libertarians to solidify presidential nominees at national convention
This weekend, registered members of the Libertarian Party from across the nation will meet at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., for the 2024 Libertarian National Convention. Those who will take part in the business meetings, which are the most anticipated within the party, are the delegates and seated alternates of each respective state. A few of the delegates include myself and Libertarian Party Guadalupe County Chair Darren Pollok.
Schmidt: Guadalupe County must cut ties with elections company
Last Thursday, I did my part as a concerned citizen of the county to email the Commissioners Court about the issue of the more than $17,000 surcharge that VOTEC charged Guadalupe County a couple of months ago. For those of you not in the loop about this pricey surcharge, VOTEC is a California-based election service company that provides counties the software needed to maintain voter registration information.
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