Michigan Libertarian Party disavows its own gubernatorial nominee

The Michigan Libertarian Party released a statement Tuesday afternoon disavowing Anthony Hudson, a Genesee County truck driver who is the party’s own gubernatorial candidate. The party said that “the ideology promoted by the Hudson campaign fundamentally contradicts the core values, platform and purpose of the Libertarian Party.” 

The resolution, posted by the party on X, states that “Public statements and platform positions of Anthony Hudson actively oppose foundational constitutional liberties, including freedom of speech and freedom of religion.”

https://t.co/XHL3qxtFOb

— Libertarian Party Of Michigan (@lpmi) September 28, 2026

The party did not respond to questions from the Michigan Advance about which specific actions, if any, by Hudson or his campaign spurred the resolution. 

Hudson responded to the party’s announcement with a video of his own on social media, saying that he was “perfectly comfortable” with the party’s disavowal of his campaign.

“I disavow the party insiders whose priorities I believe have moved far away from the principles of individual liberty, limited government, personal responsibility and constitutional freedom,” Hudson said.

Hudson had initially sought the Republican nomination for governor, but switched his party affiliation to the Libertarian Party in February, saying he was “silenced” and pushed out by the Republicans. He was formally nominated by the Libertarian Party in June. 

Hudson has been accused of repeatedly making threats against elected officials, and has targeted Michigan’s Muslim community, especially in Dearborn, often citing “Sharia law” in his social media posts.

He had also previously been disavowed by at least two local Libertarian Party chapters, the Macomb County and The Straits Libertarian parties, prior to the statewide party’s announcement, which also notes that he had been formally censured by the party.

The Libertarian Party statement adds that the party “publicly disassociates from any affiliation, support or political connection with his candidacy,” adding that Hudson’s campaign has disparaged the party and its platform. 

However, with absentee ballots already sent out and the deadline to withdraw from the general election ballot long past, Hudson’s name will still appear on the Libertarian Party line in November, alongside lieutenant governor nominee Beau Parmenter. Hudson is also still listed on the Libertarian Party website as the gubernatorial nominee.

“This campaign was never about serving a party. It was about serving the people of Michigan. You don’t need a party to think for you. You don’t need permission to question authority,” Hudson said in his video response. “You certainly do not need to surrender your freedom just because someone else tells you that’s what the party wants. So if standing on principle means standing alone, I’d rather stand alone. Because I would rather lose a political party than lose my principles.”