11 Third-Party Candidates Running for State Legislature in 2024

In the landscape of American politics, third-party candidates play a crucial role in offering alternatives to the conventional two-party system. These candidates often bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the table, challenging the status quo and giving voters more choices. 

As we look ahead to the November 2024 elections, various third-party candidates are stepping up to run for seats on state legislatures across the country. These candidates, representing a variety of minor parties, are determined to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

#1: Adrien Meadows

State: North Carolina

Chamber: House

District: 12

Political Affiliation: Green Party

Opponent(s): Chris Humphrey (R), Lillie Williams (D) 

Election Date: November 5, 2024

Adrien Meadows is running for the North Carolina House as a Green Party candidate. Meadows' campaign focuses on environmental sustainability, social justice, and economic equity. He previously ran in the 2022 midterm elections as an independent, but felt that he would go further under the Green Party, whose ideals and values were aligned with his own. 

Meadows is running for office against incumbent Republican Chris Humphrey and the Democratic challenger, Lillie Williams. By challenging the major parties, Meadows aims to offer voters a progressive alternative in District 12.

#2: Meredith Ryan

State: Colorado

Chamber: Senate

District: 6

Political Affiliation: Unity Party

Opponent(s): Cleave Simpson, Jr. (R), Vivian Smotherman (D), Frederick Williams (L)

Election Date: November 5, 2024

Meredith Ryan is contesting a seat in the Colorado Senate and representing the Unity Party. Ryan’s campaign emphasizes unity, pragmatic solutions, and bridging partisan divides. The Unity Party’s focus is on moving forward rather than right or left, and on “conversation, not conflict.” Ryan’s candidacy in District 6 seeks to offer voters a moderate and cooperative approach to governance.

This is a true multi-party race, with Ryan facing off against incumbent Republican Cleave Simpson, Jr., Democratic challenger Vivian Smotherman, and Libertarian Frederick Williams. 

#3: Scott Menor

State: Arizona

Chamber: House

District: 14

Political Affiliation: Green Party

Opponent(s): Kristen Clark (D), Republican candidate undetermined until after the primaries

Election Date: Primaries, July 30, 2024; General Election, November 5, 2024

An associate researcher at Arizona State University, Scott Menor is running in the July 30, 2024 Green Party primary as a write-in candidate. His policy objectives are to fight for sustainability, health, education, criminal justice reform, and workers’ rights. He hopes to unseat Republican incumbent Lauren Hendrix. 

As of now, this is a multi-candidate race, with four additional Republicans running against Hendrix in the primaries and a sole Democratic hopeful, Kristen Clark, running unopposed as a write-in for the Democratic Party’s primary. Menor hopes his presence in the Arizona House will put an end to partisanship and force other elected officials to work together for the people of the 14th district. 

#4: Tom Schutter

State: Colorado

Chamber: House

District: 33

Political Affiliation: Libertarian Party

Opponent(s): William Lindstedt (D), Michael Martinez (R)

Election Date: November 5, 2024

Tom Schutter is running for the Colorado House, District 33 as a Libertarian Party candidate. He hopes to provide a conservative choice for those who are disillusioned with the establishment parties. His platform emphasizes the importance of minimal government intervention and fiscal conservatism. 

Schutter is running against Democratic incumbent William Lindstedt and a Republican candidate, Michael Martinez. 

#5: Dennis Pugsley

State: Arizona

Chamber: Senate

District: 2

Political Affiliation: Green Party

Opponent(s): Judy Schwiebert (D), Republican candidate undetermined until after primaries

Election Date: Primaries, July 30, 2024; General Election, November 5, 2024

A programmer with Arizona Computer Services, this is Green Party hopeful Dennis Pugsley’s first run for office. He hopes to provide residents of District 2 with a non-establishment option for representation. Pugsley's campaign is built on principles of ecological wisdom, social justice, and non-violence. 

Pugsley’s opponents will include the Democratic candidate Judy Schwiebert and the winner of the Republican partisan primary, which is between incumbent Shawna Bolick and her challenger, Josh Barnett. 

#6: Wendi Szabo

State: New York

Chamber: State Assembly

District: 144

Political Affiliation: Libertarian Party

Opponent(s): Michael J. Norris (R / Conservative Party), Michelle Roman (D / Working Families Party)

Election Date: November 5, 2024

Wendi Szabo is running for a seat in the New York State Assembly, hoping to represent the Libertarian Party in District 144. She previously ran for a spot on the Royalton Town Council in 2023, citing the local response to COVID-19 and its impact on small businesses as an incentive for throwing her hat into the political ring. 

Szabo’s candidacy for a seat in the State Assembly offers voters a fresh face and perspective, and it’s rooted in her passion to remove unnecessary regulations on small businesses, reduce taxes, and limit government spending. Szabo’s opponents in this contest are incumbent Michael J. Norris, representing the Republican Party and Conservative Party, and the Democratic and Working Families candidate, Michelle Roman. 

#7: Daniel Weston

State: Idaho

Chamber: House

District: 21A

Political Affiliation: Constitution Party

Opponent(s): Jeff Ehlers (R), Becky McKinstry (D)

Election Date: November 5, 2024

Assistant Fire Chief and military veteran Daniel Weston is running for the Idaho House as a Constitution Party candidate. His platform centers on upholding the original intent of constitutional values while promoting limited government and individual freedoms. He’s also passionate about education, lowering state taxes, and protecting land and water rights for Idaho residents

His opponents are the incumbent Republican, Jeff Ehlers, and Democratic challenger Becky McKinstry. In challenging the establishment candidates, Westin hopes to offer voters in District 21 the choice of a representative who shares their values and listens to their concerns. 

#8: Greg Lauer

State: Colorado

Chamber: House

District: 18

Political Affiliation: Libertarian Party

Opponent(s): Amy Paschal (D), James Boelens (R)

Election Date: November 5, 2024

Greg Lauer is vying for a seat in the Colorado House, representing the Libertarian Party in District 18. His campaign is part of a Libertarian strategy in Colorado to provide an alternative to traditional Republican candidates. Lauer’s policy priorities highlight the benefits of personal liberty, free markets, and limited government.

Lauer is running against Democratic candidate Amy Paschal and Republican candidate James Boelens. He previously ran for this seat in the 2022 midterms. 

#9: Helen Qiu

State: New York

Chamber: State Assembly

District: 65

Political Affiliation: Reform Party

Opponent(s): Grace Lee (D / Working Families Party)

Election Date: November 5, 2024

Helen Qiu is running for the New York State Assembly as a Reform Party candidate. Qiu's platform focuses on government accountability, fiscal responsibility, criminal justice, and immigration reform. Her candidacy in District 65 provides an alternative for voters who are unenthusiastic about the traditional establishment’s conservative choices.

Qiu previously ran for this position as a Republican in the 2022 midterms and for a seat on the New York City Council in 2023, representing District 1. She entered that race under a multi-party endorsement that included the Republican, Conservative, Common Sense, and Arts and Culture Parties. Her opponent in this race is Democratic incumbent Grace Lee. 

#10: Michael Munger

State: North Carolina

Chamber: House

District: 40

Political Affiliation: Libertarian Party

Opponent(s): Joe John (D), Jerry Doliner ( R) 

Election Date: November 5, 2024

Michael Munger is running for the North Carolina House in District 40 as a Libertarian Party candidate. Munger’s platform centers on individual liberties, free market principles, and limited government by privatizing government-controlled industries like the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABC). 

Munger’s candidacy in District 40 presents voters with another choice besides opponents Joe John, the Democratic incumbent, and Republican Jerry Doliner. 

#11: Raymon Doane

State: Colorado

Chamber: House

District: 7

Political Affiliation: Libertarian Party

Opponent(s): Jennifer Bacon (D), Tom Swift (R), Ben Pope (D / Write-in)

Election Date: November 5, 2024

Raymon Doane is vying for a seat in the Colorado House, representing the Libertarian Party in District 7. Doane's campaign highlights the Libertarian principles of personal freedom, economic liberty, and limited government. His candidacy in District 7 offers voters a conservative option in the upcoming election.

Doane previously ran for a seat in the State Senate, District 33, in 2016; for the Colorado House, District 1, in 2018; and to represent the people of Colorado in the U.S. Senate in 2020. His opponents in this race are the incumbent Democrat Jennifer Bacon, Republican challenger Tom Swift, and write-in Democratic candidate Ben Pope.

Support Third-Party Candidates in Your Community

These third-party candidates have demonstrated their dedication to community empowerment, representation, and transparency through their willingness to step up and run for office outside of the political establishment. 

As they prepare for the 2024 election, their campaigns will build on the core values that define independent and minor-party candidates. 

Want to learn more about third-party candidates and the independent movement? Explore more resources and get involved here.