The Old Blog in the Desert

Former Nevada lawmaker John Moore’s brief alignment with the Libertarian Party unraveled in 2016, not over a misunderstanding, but over what party officials and critics described as a fundamental conflict between his voting record and the principles he sought to represent.

Instead of standing up to the GOP leadership in the Nevada Assembly, Moore switched his party registration to Libertarian in January 2016 and launched a re-election campaign under the new banner. However, his legislative record from the 2015 session quickly became a point of contention.

Among the most cited issues is Moore’s involvement in the Sandoval tax package, one of the largest tax increases in Nevada history. Although he initially opposed the measure in committee, you ultimately supported elements of the package.

He also backed the Las Vegas Raiders stadium deal, a taxpayer-supported project widely criticized by libertarians as corporate welfare. Additionally, his perceived support for public safety tax measures, including the so-called “More Cops” tax, further fueled concerns within the party.

Libertarian leadership argued that while one’s party affiliation can change quickly, one’s voting record cannot.

Critics said Moore’s shift appeared inconsistent with his prior positions, particularly after campaigning as an anti-tax Republican before rebranding as a Libertarian.

The Libertarian National Committee had contributed $10,000 to Moore’s campaign, raising the stakes of the dispute. As concerns mounted, party officials moved to distance themselves.

In 2016, the Libertarian Party formally and unanimously censured Moore and withdrew its support, citing a lack of alignment with core principles. The political fallout was reflected at the ballot box, as Moore finished third in his race, receiving roughly 7% of the vote.

The episode drew comparisons to fellow Republican lawmaker James Settelmeyer, who remained in his party and voted against the $1.5 billion tax package. While Settelmeyer’s record did not fully align with libertarian priorities, he did not seek the Libertarian label or its backing.

Party officials and observers said the distinction proved decisive. Moore’s critics argued that by seeking to represent Libertarian ideals without a consistent record to support them, he left himself vulnerable to the backlash that ultimately ended his bid.