David Bergland | |
|---|---|
 Bergland in 1976 | |
| 4th and 12th Chair of the Libertarian National Committee | |
| In office 1998–2000 | |
| Preceded by | Steve Dasbach |
| Succeeded by | Jim Lark |
| In office 1977–1981 | |
| Preceded by | Ed Crane |
| Succeeded by | Alicia Clark |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Peter Bergland (1935-06-04)June 4, 1935 |
| Died | June 3, 2019(2019-06-03) (aged 83) |
| Political party | Libertarian |
| Spouse | Sharon Ayres |
| Alma mater | Long Beach City College University of California, Los Angeles University of Southern California |
David Peter Bergland (June 4, 1935 – June 3, 2019) was an American politician who was theUnited States Libertarian Party's nominee forPresident of the United States in the 1984 presidential election,[1][2][3][4] and also served twice as the chair of theLibertarian National Committee.
Bergland was born June 4, 1935, inMapleton, Iowa, the son of Gwendolyn (née McCalman) and Cedores P. Bergland.[5]
A resident ofCalifornia and a lawyer, Bergland ran unsuccessfully for office several times, always as aLibertarian.[6] In 1974, he ran as awrite-in candidate forCalifornia Attorney General.[6] In 1978, Bergland ran for theCalifornia state senate district 36, receiving 5.8% of the vote to finish third out of the three candidates on the ballot.[7]
Bergland received the party'svice-presidentialnomination in the1976 presidential election, sharing the ticket withRoger MacBride.[8] The MacBride/Bergland ticket received 172,553 votes (0.2%).
He served as the party's national chair from 1977 to 1981, and from 1998 to 2000.
In1980, Bergland ran for theUnited States Senate, finishing third of five with 202,410 votes (2.4%).
Bergland received the Libertarian Party'spresidential nomination in the1984 presidential election. He and his running mate,Jim Lewis, received 228,111 votes (0.3%).[6]
He managed the2000 Libertarian presidential campaign ofHarry Browne. Bergland endorsed theFree State Project in January 2006.[9]
In the 1980s, Bergland wrote a book entitled,Libertarianism in One Lesson (ISBN 0975432648).[10] The book explained thelibertarian philosophy and touched on issues including the government as a nature of coercion, how libertarianism developed in America and how it is different from bothliberalism andconservatism, the contention thattaxation is theft, support of a foreign policy ofnon-intervention,free trade with other countries, gun rights, and criminal justice reform, opposition to drug and alcoholprohibition,public education, andSocial Security.[11]
Bergland died on June 3, 2019, inKennewick, Washington, one day short of his 84th birthday, ofprostate cancer.[12][6]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Libertariannominee forVice President of the United States 1976 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of theLibertarian National Committee 1977–1981 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Libertariannominee forPresident of the United States 1984 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Steve Dasbach | Chair of theLibertarian National Committee 1998–2000 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
