Nicholas Sarwark facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nicholas Sarwark
Sarwark in 2016
19th Chair of the Libertarian National Committee
In office June 29, 2014 – July 11, 2020
Preceded by	Geoff Neale
Succeeded by	Joe Bishop-Henchman
Vice Chair of the Libertarian Party of Colorado
In office 2009–2014
Preceded by	Wayne Harlos
Succeeded by	Eric Mulder
Chair of the Libertarian Party of Maryland
In office 2001–2003
Preceded by	Steve Boone
Succeeded by	Chip Spangler
Personal details
Born	Nicholas Joel Sarwark (1979-08-27) August 27, 1979 (age 45) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Political party	Libertarian
Other political affiliations	Democratic (2022)
Spouse	Valerie Sarwark ​ (m. 2009)​
Children	4
Residence	Manchester, New Hampshire
Education	Washington Adventist University (BS) American University (JD)
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Nicholas Joel Sarwark (born August 27, 1979) is an American attorney and businessman who served as the 19th chair of the Libertarian National Committee (LNC), the governing body of the Libertarian Party. Prior to his election in 2014, he served on several LP national committees and as chair of the Libertarian Party of Maryland State Committee and vice chair of the Libertarian Party of Colorado State Committee. As of 2020^[update], he is the only LP chair to have served three consecutive terms.

Sarwark declined to run for another term as LNC chair in 2020, and was succeeded by Joe Bishop-Henchman.

Early life and education

Sarwark was born on August 27, 1979, in Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated from Washington Adventist University in 1998 with a BS in computer science and a minor in philosophy, later receiving his juris doctor from American University Washington College of Law in 2008. While attending law school, Sarwark clerked for the libertarian law firm Institute for Justice.

In the early 1990s, Sarwark's father brought him to Maricopa County Libertarian gatherings, and Sarwark subsequently joined the party in 1999.

Political career and campaigns

Sarwark was chairman of the Libertarian Party of Maryland from 2001 to 2003, holding numerous LP officer and local-level roles there. Prior to being elected chairman of the Libertarian National Committee in 2014, Sarwark served as a deputy public defender in Colorado and as vice-chairman of the Libertarian Party of Colorado. He was re-elected in 2016, and again in 2018.

While serving as LNC chair, Sarwark made appearances on multiple national media outlets, including MSNBC and NPR, to discuss libertarian perspectives on various topics.

Sarwark ran in the 2018 Phoenix mayoral special election. His campaign platform included opposition to light rail, addressing the city's pension debt, and working with Republicans and Democrats on the city council. He garnered 10.5 percent of the vote, placing fourth among four candidates, and did not advance to the 2019 run-off.

After moving to New Hampshire, Sarwark ran for Hillsborough County Attorney in 2020 under the Libertarian Party. His major issues included clearing the criminal case backlog. He received 5.6 percent of the vote, placing third among three candidates. Sarwark ran for the same office in 2022 under both the Libertarian and Democratic parties. He placed second in a two-candidate race with 45.25 percent of the vote.

Personal life

Sarwark married his wife, Valerie in 2009. After building a family in Denver, he returned to Phoenix in 2014 to join his family's independent car dealership, where he served as vice-president. Sarwark and his wife have four children. In 2019, Sarwark and his family moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, to become a part of the grassroots libertarian movement the Free State Project.

Electoral history