ELECTIONS, POLITICS, & GOVERNMENT
LISTEN: Utah to host presidential candidate debate
Apr 8, 2024, 4:41 PM | Updated: 8:04 pm
Utah will be home to a Libertarian party presidential debate, on April 19. (Canva)
(Canva)
Did you receive our text? Here’s the podcast of our interview on the upcoming Libertarian Party debate.
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah has secured a spot to host three Libertarian party candidates for a presidential debate.
One is a police officer turned economist, another, a tech entrepreneur who also races cars.
The third is an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Together they make up the three people vying to become the presidential candidate for the Libertarian Party. And all of them will debate in Salt Lake City on April 19.
Mike ter Maat, Lars Mapstead, Dr. Charles Ballay will debate in the Canyons Ballroom of the DoubleTree Hotel at the Salt Lake City International Airport.
The event is open to the public, according to a press release from the Utah Libertarian Party.
The candidates
Mike ter Matt was a police officer in Broward County Florida from 2010-2021. He campaigned in 2021-22 as the Libertarian candidate in the January special election in Florida’s Congressional District 20. Prior to becoming a police officer, he had a career in finance and economics, working as a commercial loan officer and as a financial economist with the White House Office of Management and Budget. You can read about his stances on political issues here.
Lars Mapstead is from Big Sur, California. According to his website, he grew up in a Volkswagen bus, traveling across the West coast. He’s a self-proclaimed “road racing enthusiast.” He became an entrepreneur, founding companies like FriendFinder Networks, Fupa Games and Legendary Speed. You can read about his stances on political issues here.
Dr. Charles Ballay grew up in New Orleans. He started his medical practice in Texas in 2007, specializing in ear, nose, and throat treatment. You can read about his stances on political issues here.
According to the chair of the Utah Libertarian Party, Barry Short: “the Libertarian Party is unique in that our delegates to our national convention are not bound in advance, and instead can vote at the convention for whichever candidate they prefer.”
Related reading: LISTEN: Why we’re turning to politics for our lost worship
