Politics

David Nolan, RIP

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RIP, David Nolan.

David Nolan, one of the founders of the Libertarian Party and recent U.S. Senate candidate, has died at the age of 66.

One of Nolan's closest friends told CBS 5 News that Nolan was driving in Tucson Saturday when he had a stroke and crashed.

He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. "This was very unexpected," said Joe Cobb, who said he planned to spend Thanksgiving with Nolan and his wife, Elizabeth. Nolan recently lost to Republican incumbent John McCain in the U.S. Senate race in Arizona. He was most famous for his role in starting the Libertarian Party, which advocates open trade markets and strong civil liberties.

"Nolan was a towering figure with the vision we needed in this country," said Cobb.

More here.

Hat Tip: @samvalley's Twitter feed.

If you've ever taken the World's Smallest Political Quiz, you're in debt to the thinking of David Nolan. More on that here. Take the quiz, which literally adds a new dimension to conventional discussions of politics, at Advocates for Self-Goverment here.

Here's a long profile and obit of Nolan.

We'll have a longer obituary up later today.

Reason extends our condolences to David's family and friends.