Mike Mains On Liberty

10/24/2026

You know it’s bad when they are running political attack ads against a Libertarian Party of Ohio candidate!

10/23/2026

Yesterday I reached into my mailbox and got a paper cut from a negative political ad.

Apparently, tearing down the other candidate wasn’t enough. Now they’re coming after the voters. 😂

But seriously, I’m tired of the attack ads flooding Ohio’s governor’s race. Tough questions and honest criticism belong in campaigns. Half-truths, personal attacks, and making every opponent sound like a threat to civilization leave us less informed and more divided.

Tell me what you’ll do for Ohio—and how you’ll earn my vote.

We should also consider how our election rules shape campaign behavior. Ranked-choice voting could give candidates a reason to appeal to their opponents’ supporters: even if you aren’t someone’s first choice, their second-choice ranking might help you win. That creates an incentive to build bridges and think twice before burning them.

It wouldn’t eliminate ugly campaigning, but changing the incentives deserves a conversation.

I’d like my next political mailer to make a good point without drawing blood.

10/21/2026

Should Vivek drop out of the race?

Libertarian Don Kissick said Vivek Ramaswamy should withdraw as a “matter of integrity and character,” in response to an attack ad that uses Amy Acton's estranged mother to attack his Democratic opponent.

10/19/2026

Ohio voters deserve meaningful choices—and an honest comparison of those choices.

Libertarians share common ground with Republicans on gun rights and lower taxes, and with Democrats on some civil liberties. We also bring our own commitment to individual freedom, limited government, and greater voter choice.

But having another choice on the ballot takes considerable effort. In 2013, Republican-backed SB 193 voided existing minor-party recognition and required requalification. Ohio Libertarians submitted more than 87,000 signatures to regain recognition in 2024.

That’s a substantial barrier just to give voters another option.

I support Don Kissick for governor because Ohio deserves a stronger voice for liberty. Whatever your political affiliation, I hope we can agree: voters should have a fair opportunity to consider alternatives.

Compare the positions. Ask questions. Make candidates earn your vote.

10/19/2026

The weekly Kissick Polling Tracker — October 19, 2026

New development: Don Kissick is polling at 4%, above Ohio’s 3% ballot-access threshold.

The latest Bowling Green State University/YouGov poll⁠, released October 16, surveyed 1,000 likely Ohio voters from September 29–October 9.

The current VoteHub polling average places Kissick at 3.8%, compared with the 3% reading highlighted in last week’s update. However, these surveys overlap in field dates, and the apparent improvement is not necessarily statistically significant.

Ballot-access outlook

Ohio Revised Code 3517.01 establishes the 3% requirement for maintaining recognized political-party status for four years.

Assessment: The new polling is encouraging relative to the threshold, but the outcome remains uncertain. There is no sufficiently reliable statistical model here to assign a defensible probability of clearing 3%.

With the November 3 election approaching, Kissick’s support remains close enough to the threshold that ordinary polling error or late voter movement could determine whether the Libertarian Party retains ballot access.

Bottom line: The latest poll is a positive development for the 3% question. Kissick is currently averaging approximately 3.8%, but that is a polling measurement—not a forecast of his final vote share.

10/19/2026

On this week's Face the State, we sit down for a one-on-one interview with Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Don Kissick, early in-person voting and more.

10/18/2026

If I lived in KY D4, Jeremy would have my vote! The Libertarian Party of Ohio and Hamilton County Libertarian Party are rooting for you!!

10/16/2026

This is a peculiar trend among legacy party candidates.

We are still waiting for Vivek Ramaswamy and Dr. Amy Acton to each grow a spine and debate Don Kissick for Governor of Ohio.

Gina Hinojosa spent months calling Greg Abbott a coward for refusing to debate her. Yesterday morning she set up two podiums outside the Governor’s Mansion and left one empty for him. He didn’t show. Jenn Mack, a write-in candidate for governor, did.

Mack stepped up to the empty podium and told Hinojosa she came to debate both of them on their records. Hinojosa told her the stage was reserved for Abbott, then had her removed. Mack was walked off the stage by an officer.

So the candidate who says refusing to debate is disqualifying refused to debate the one challenger who actually showed up. Abbott ducks Hinojosa. Hinojosa ducks anyone who isn’t Abbott. Both of them want a two-person race because a real debate is a risk to both of them.

Texans have more than two choices for governor. Pat Dixon, the Libertarian nominee, is on your ballot and ready to debate. Governor Abbott, Representative Hinojosa: the challenge is open. Pat will bring his own podium.