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Politics

David Nolan, RIP

Nick Gillespie | 11.22.2010 8:34 AM

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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.

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Nick Gillespie is an editor at large at Reason and host of The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie.

PoliticsLibertarianism
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  1. NoStar   14 years ago

    David Nolan was one libertarian who I wanted to meet, but never had the chance.
    His influence will have lasting positive effects.

  2. dave walter   14 years ago

    Shocking and sad news this morning.
    I've had a warm relationship with Dave since 1967 and very few can claim they worked so hard for liberty for such an extended time as did David. I wish I was half the activist he was.
    Condolences to Elizabeth and to all who will miss David and his outstanding contribution to the libertarian movement we hold so dear.

  3. Old Mexican   14 years ago

    My deepest sympathies for Nolan's family and all his friends. I feel saddened because this champion for individual liberty left this Earth so early.

  4. Marc Brandl   14 years ago

    Met him a couple times - good man - friend & champion of liberty - so sorry to hear it. My sympathy to his family.

  5. wylie   14 years ago

    Is it legal to have a stroke while driving? There should be a law against that, it sounds really dangerous, even, fatal. Won't somebody think of the children?

  6. Travis Nicks   14 years ago

    My deepest condolences. I had the pleasure of serving with him on the LPJC as well as debating him about the future of the Party in 2007. He was a good man and dedicated his life to liberty. He will be missed.

    Travis Nicks

  7. Westmiller   14 years ago

    A truly noble man, with acute insight and unassailable principles.
    I thoroughly enjoyed working with him in the early years of the Libertarian Party.
    He will be sorely missed, but long remembered as a political pioneer and a patriot of the liberty movement.

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