MAGA castoffs plot 2028 spoiler bid

An unusual coalition wants to recruit outgoing Rep.

Thomas Massie as the Libertarian Party's 2028 presidential nominee, betting that MAGA fractures can turn a third-party candidacy into a spoiler for the Republican nominee.Why it matters: Organizers see a fighter in Massie, a frequent critic of President Trump who pushed hard on releasing the Epstein files and lost a bitter primary rather than quietly walking away.Massie raised almost $10 million in the process and has a large online donor list and base.For his parting act in Congress, Massie is pushing an impeachment vote against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.Driving the news: For months, Libertarian Party operatives and MAGA defectors have been privately and publicly encouraging Massie to run under a rebranded party."Libertarian Jesus is Ron Paul, and one of our saints is Thomas Massie," Larry Sharpe, a perennial Libertarian candidate and longtime third-party operative, told Axios.

Sharpe has spoken with Massie several times about a potential presidential run.Aside from playing GOP spoiler, organizers believe the Libertarian Party's existing ballot access and infrastructure could help them win 5% of the national vote — which would qualify its next presidential nominee for federal funding.Massie didn't respond to several requests for comment.

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