# Libertarians challenge Trump-backed Republicans, look to shake up midterms beyond GOP-Dem duopoly

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/libertarians-challenge-trump-backed-republicans-look-to-shake-up-midterms-beyond-gop-dem-duopoly/
- Published: 2026-10-29T18:08:40+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-29T19:49:32+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Far right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/libertarians-challenge-trump-backed-republicans-look-shake-up-midterms-beyond-gop-dem-duopoly
- Topics: Elections, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Libertarians are contesting several high-profile 2026 races.
- Jeremy Todd says Republicans have abandoned small-government conservatism.
- Five per cent of surveyed voters favoured another House candidate.

## Summary

Libertarian candidates are seeking to attract voters dissatisfied with the Republican and Democratic parties in the 2026 US midterm elections. In Kentucky, Jeremy Todd is challenging Trump-backed Republican Ed Gallrein after Thomas Massie lost the Republican primary, arguing that the party has abandoned small-government conservatism.

Todd is backed by former National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent and former congressman Ron Paul, and says he wants to build a wider movement. Other Libertarians in key races include Ted Brown in Texas, who received about 2.36% in the 2024 Senate election, and Bill Redpath in Ohio’s special Senate race. A Pew survey found 5% of registered voters planned to choose a candidate other than the Republican or Democratic nominee in their House district, while 15% were undecided; no Libertarian Party candidate has been elected to Congress.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.