Gary Johnson endorses former Fed Prosecutor, Jim Gray, for Libertarian Party Vice-President

April 30, 2012, Newport Beach, CA – Former Judge of the California Superior Court of Orange County Jim Gray has announced he is seeking the Libertarian Party’s nomination for Vice-President of the United States. The Libertarian Party will nominate its candidates for President and Vice-President at its national convention this week (May 2-6) in Las Vegas, NV. Former New Mexico Governor and Libertarian Party candidate for President Gary Johnson has strongly encouraged Gray to seek the nomination for Vice-President.

The Libertarian Party nominees for President and Vice-President will be on the ballot in all 50 states in the November election, the only party other than the Republicans and Democrats expected to appear on all 50 states’ ballots.

Judge Gray, who was appointed to the California Superior Court bench by Gov. George Deukmejian and served from 1989 to 2010, is a nationally known and respected author and speaker who has long advocated the reform of both California’s and the nation’s drug laws. Gray was the 2004 Libertarian candidate for the US Senate from California. He is the author of three books, including Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed: A Judicial Indictment Of War On Drugs, a critique of the failed war on drugs.

Prior to his tenure on the bench, Gray served both as a federal prosecutor and as a staff judge advocate for the U.S. Navy's JAG Corps in Guam and California. For his Navy service, he was awarded National Defense, Vietnam Service and Combat Action Ribbons.

Endorsing Judge Gray’s candidacy, Governor Johnson said, “Jim Gray is not only a highly-respected jurist, but he is also a proven leader on issues of concern to Americans – from drug policy to civil liberties to ethics. I am proud he is joining me to offer America a real choice in this election, and excited that his forceful and extremely credible voice will be a vital part of our campaign. Judge Gray is a reformer with the track record and credentials to prove it, and I urge the Libertarian Party to nominate him for Vice-President of the United States.”

Announcing his intention to seek the LP vice-presidential nomination, Judge Gray said, “Virtually my entire career – as an attorney, prosecutor, judge, writer, speaker and public policy advocate – has been devoted to the cause of putting government, through its laws and policies, in its proper role as a defender of individual liberty and rights. From drug policy reform to competition and choice in education, I believe and have worked to advance the idea that smaller government, living within its means, is key to not only freedom, but opportunity and prosperity.

“Especially with the candidacy of former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, the 2012 election offers an historic opportunity for libertarian ideals and policies to be a very real part of the national debate. I am committed to that debate, and excited to join Governor Johnson in providing the voters with a credible, proven alternative to the business-as-usual that will be offered by the two ‘major’ parties in November. Gary Johnson is an experienced Chief Executive with an eight-year record of putting libertarian principles into practice, cutting the size and cost of government while creating a record number of jobs.

"As the only candidates for President and Vice President who will be on the ballot in all 50 states who will cut Federal Spending by 43%, oppose the war in Afghanistan and the failed and expensive war on drugs, repeal the Patriot Act, support gay marriage equality and the legalization of marijuana, we will offer voters a choice voters crave.

“Millions of Americans are looking for leaders who will reject the wrong-headed direction the country is being taken by the Republicans and Democrats. They realize both parties have become 'big government' parties. They are looking for leaders who will not only stop government from spending too much, but from doing too much when it comes to our personal lives, our families, and our businesses. Our task is to offer the voters that choice, and I am proud to join Gary Johnson in taking on that task.”

For more information regarding Governor Johnson, please visit www.garyjohnson2012.com.

About Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson: Gary Johnson, two-term Governor of New Mexico from 1995-2003, has been a consistent and outspoken advocate for limited, efficient government and personal liberty. Johnson switched from Republican to the Libertarian Party on December 28, 2011. If nominated by the Libertarian Party in May, Johnson will appear on all 50 states' ballots as the third national presidential nominee. An outspoken pro-Constitution Libertarian, Johnson opposes the war in Afghanistan, demands greater transparency at the Federal Reserve, would cut Federal spending by 43%, supports a woman's right to choose, opposes gun control, supports gay marriage equality and supports the legalization of marijuana. An avid skier and bicyclist, he has reached the highest peaks on four of the seven continents, including Mt. Everest.