NJ Anti-Bullying Advocate Seeks Libertarian Nomination For Governor

NEW JERSEY — John Mirrione, an Air Force veteran and anti-bullying advocate who formerly ran for Congress in North Jersey, is setting his sights on a new goal: running for governor.

Mirrione recently announced that he is seeking the New Jersey Libertarian Party’s nomination for governor in 2025.

His platform includes requiring mandatory police presence and developing “sustainable” food systems in New Jersey schools. He is also advocating for the elimination of standardized state testing and a renewed focus on “real-world life skills” and trade school education.

The gubernatorial hopeful is an advocate for the More Healthy Youth, Healthy America (MAHA) Movement, and is also a supporter of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nation’s new U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, having helped his team secure one million signatures for ballot access during the former's presidential campaign. See Related: Senate Confirms RFK Jr. Despite ‘No’ Votes From Booker, Kim

Mirrione is also calling for an end to “media restrictions on state government.” See Related: Murphy Signs OPRA Bill; Public Record Access Will Suffer, Critics Say

Mirrione, a Westfield resident, ran for a U.S House of Representatives seat in the state’s 10th district in 2020. The district includes several towns in Essex, Hudson and Union counties. See Related: NJ Karate Guru Beats COVID, Runs For Congress As Libertarian

While his 2020 bid for Congress ended up short, Mirrione said it proved that there is interest in a third-party candidate – and taught him some valuable lessons about running a political campaign.

“People feel that they are forced to vote for a party line and have no control of the candidate selection,” Mirrione said in the wake of the race. “By going the third-party route, people felt more empowered to have an opportunity having more of a voice that counts in government leadership and policy.”

• See Related: NJ Libertarian Says 2020 Election 'Empowered' Third-Party Voters
• See Related: John Mirrione On His D-10 Run: 'Fair Yet Flawed System'

Since the election, Mirrione has been keeping up with his anti-bullying efforts, recently setting several world records for pushups in an attempt to inspire kids with a message: “Resilience is born through adversity.”

The theme of fighting back against bullying has been a constant crusade for Mirrione, who began teaching karate in 1994, ultimately opening his own studio in New York City: Harmony By Karate. Drawing on his own past of being picked on while growing up in Brooklyn and Long Island, Mirrione helped to launch the first mandated anti-bullying program in a major U.S. city (Elizabeth), an initiative that reached thousands of students.

• See Related: NJ Martial Artist Uses World Records To Inspire Bullied Kids (VIDEO)

As of March 1, the Libertarian Party remains the third-largest political party in New Jersey with 24,352 registered voters, according to the most recent state election data.

According to a spokesperson, two other candidates are seeking the party’s endorsement for governor: Francis Rella and John Morrison. A gubernatorial debate is scheduled for Saturday, March 15 in the Cook Student Center of Rutgers University in New Brunswick. There is no door fee and the event is open to the public. It will also be livestreamed on the party’s YouTube page. Read More: NJ Governor Race Heats Up; 3 Candidates Seek Libertarian Nod

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