The Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC) is a political action organization dedicated to promoting the ideals of individual liberty, limited government and free market economics within the Republican Party in the United States. It is part of the libertarian wing of the Republican Party. It also operates a political action committee, the RLC-USA PAC.RLC-USA PAC
The organization was founded in 1991 and has chapters in many states.History of the Republican Liberty Caucus . 2-20-2011. Retrieved April 16, 2011. In 2011, the organization hosted its National Convention in Arlington, Virginia.Republican Liberty Caucus Celebrates Twenty Years. 2-15-2011. Retrieved April 16, 2011. The 2013 convention was held in Austin, Texas and the 2015 National Convention was hosted in Nashua, New Hampshire.
Issues The RLC works within the Republican Party to influence the party to adopt the RLC's agenda.Guinta, Peter. GOP warns dissident wing. Quoting William Westmiller, former RLC National Chair. Palm Beach Post, 7-2-2008. Retrieved April 19, 2011. As activist Tom Heitman put it, "We're trying to reintroduce the Republican platform to the Republican Party."Scott, Sam. Ron Paul Cured Their Apathy. Star News, 5-3-2008. Quoting Tom Heitman, Cape Fear RLC. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
The RLC favors individual freedom and limited government.Moffett gets support of Republican Liberty Caucus. Lexington Herald-Leader, 4-14-2011. Retrieved April 19, 2011. Specifically, the RLC favors reduced government intrusion, lower taxes, elimination of federal agencies, less regulation, a strong national defense with fewer military bases abroad, and no foreign aid.Guinta, Peter. GOP warns dissident wing. Palm Beach Post, 7-2-2008. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
In 2010, the Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas denounced the new state Republican Party platform that supported criminalization of sodomy and making same-sex marriage a felony.Mataconis, Doug. Texas RLC Denounces Anti-Gay Planks in Party Platform. UnitedLiberty.org, 6-26-2010. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
Leadership
ImageChairmanTermStateThe Republican Liberty Caucus Library, Republican Liberty Caucus: Background and Early History, accessed November 24, 2011. Notes1 Eric Rittberg1991–1992Florida2Roger MacBride1992–1995Florida3Ron Paul1995–2000Texas4Chuck Muth2000–2001Nevada5Ron Paul2001–2002Texas (Honorary)6 Douglas Lorenz2002–2004California7 Bill Westmiller2004–2009California8 Shepard Humphries2007–2008Wyoming9Dave Nalle2009–2013Texas10 Matthew Nye2013–2023Florida11 John Dennis2023–PresentCalifornia
Endorsements
Presidential endorsements The Republican Liberty Caucus' process for endorsing presidential candidates is described in the organization's Bylaws and Rules: A candidate for President of the United States may be endorsed by the Caucus by a 2/3 vote of the active and voting Chartered state's executive committees. The national Secretary shall notify all Chartered states of a favorable national board proposal for endorsement and state executive officers shall inform the Secretary of the approval or denial by their executive committee within 60 days.Bylaws and Rules of the Republican Liberty Caucus
Since the Caucus' founding in 1991, only four candidates have reached this level of support: Steve Forbes 1996, Ron Paul in 2012, Rand Paul in 2016, and Donald Trump in 2024. When Forbes ran again in 2000, the organization remained neutral in that primary and did not endorse another specific Republican candidate in any presidential primary until December 30, 2011, when the RLC endorsed Ron Paul for President. In 2016, his son Rand Paul was also endorsed by the RLC. On September 10, 2024, the RLC announced their endorsement of Donald Trump on their Facebook page.
Notable 2012 endorsements
On November 2, 2011, the Republican Liberty Caucus announced its first two endorsements in the 2012 election: Barry Hinckley, ran in the Republican primary in Rhode Island, and Brian K. Hill, ran in the Republican primary in Connecticut. The Republican nominee in Rhode Island challenged Democratic United States Senator Sheldon Whitehouse while the Republican nominee in Connecticut ran for an open seat being vacated by independent United States Senator Joseph Lieberman.Republican Liberty Caucus Announces First Endorsements for 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate Ron Paul from Texas Ted Cruz of Texas for U.S. Senate Barry Hinckley of Rhode Island for U.S. Senate U.S. Representative Tom McClintock for California's Congressional District 4 Judge Executive Thomas Massie for Kentucky's Congressional District 4 U.S. Representative Justin Amash for Michigan's Congressional District 3 Kerry Bentivolio for Michigan's Congressional District 11 Sheriff Richard Mack for Texas' Congressional District 21 Steve Stockman for Texas' Congressional District 36 Karen Kwiatkowski for Virginia's Congressional District 6 Floyd Bayne for Virginia's Congressional District 7 Dan Halloran for New York's Congressional District 6
Notable 2014 endorsements Matt Bevin of Kentucky for U.S. Senate Milton R. Wolf of Kansas for U.S. Senate Owen Hill of Colorado for U.S. Senate Lee Bright of South Carolina for U.S. Senate Pat McGeehan of West Virginia for U.S. Senate Bruce Poliquin for Maine's 2nd congressional district
Notable 2016 endorsements Republican Presidential Candidate Rand Paul from Kentucky
Notable 2018 endorsements Eric Brakey of Maine for U.S. Senate Austin Petersen of Missouri for U.S. Senate Nick Freitas of Virginia for U.S. Senate
Notable 2024 endorsements Former President Donald Trump for President Matt Gaetz for Florida's 1st congressional district Byron Donalds for Florida's 19th congressional district Marjorie Taylor Greene for Georgia's 14th congressional district Andrew Ogles for Tennessee's 5th congressional district
See also
References
External links Republican Liberty Caucus official site