DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republicans are worried that Libertarian candidates could siphon away votes in some of this year's most consequential U.S. Senate elections, potentially costing them control of the chamber.
It's a particular concern in Texas, Ohio, Kansas and Iowa, which are bracing for razor-thin contests in which even a few percentage points for a third party can be enough to swing the outcome.
Although all of those states lean Republican, a number of party strategists say unhappiness with President Donald Trump could lead some conservatives to cast protest ballots. An unpopular war with Iran and Trump's expansion of executive power — two issues that grate on an anti-establishment slice of the American right — could fuel the Libertarian Party's message of nonintervention and limited centralized authority.
“Libertarians, we believe, could draw enough votes to affect the outcome in a number of these races," said Republican former Ohio state lawmaker Gene Krebs, who is working on a project to diminish the impact of spoiler candidates.
Trump is scheduled to hold rallies in Texas on Tuesday, Ohio on Wednesday and Iowa on Sunday.
Republican Senate campaign officials said they were less concerned about Iowa, where Libertarians are not a regular presence on the ballot, than they are about Ohio, Kansas and Texas. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal strategy.
In Ohio, former Libertarian Party national chairman Bill Redpath is running against Republican Sen. Jon Husted and Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown.
“The Libertarian can easily pull enough votes away from the Republican so that the Democrat wins," Krebs said.
Third parties could work against Democrats, too. An organization with Republican ties has distributed fliers promoting a socialist candidate, an apparent effort to pull support away from Brown. Enough Promises Ohio PAC, which sent out the fliers, received $2.5 million from Conservative Americans PAC, according to federal disclosure reports.
Libertarian David Graham is running in Kansas, where Republican Sen. Roger Marshall is locked in a close race with Democrat Adam Hamilton.
This is Graham's second campaign. He received 3% of the vote in a race Republican Sen. Jerry Moran won by 23 percentage points.
In Texas, Libertarian Ted Brown received only 2.3% of the vote in 2024, when Republican Sen. Ted Cruz easily glided to another term. However, the race is tighter this year, with Democratic nominee James Talarico facing off with Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Wayne Hamilton, a former executive director of the Texas Republican Party, said Paxton's history of legal and ethical problems could have some conservatives looking for another choice.
“Nobody’s voting for the Libertarian. It’s a protest vote,” Hamilton said. “They are going to be voting that way because they don’t want to vote for Paxton, and this is an option.”
Brown is a former insurance adjuster from California who has been a longtime activist in the Libertarian Party going back to supporting Ron Paul's presidential campaign in 1988. He said some conservative voters have turned on Trump.
“Some libertarians supported him thinking he was an anti-war candidate. And that’s where he’s lost them,” Brown said. “But my view and a lot of libertarians’ view is that separation of powers is very important. This president has seized way too much power in this imperial presidency.”
Brown is under no illusions that he can compete with Paxton and Talarico for the seat. His campaign has a budget of about $30,000 and has spent $7,000 on advertising, running a spot on streaming services in four Texas counties where Libertarians have fared better in recent elections.
That's compared with the combined advertising total of roughly $390 million that Talarico, Paxton and aligned groups have spent since the May 26 primary, according to the ad-tracking firm AdImpact.
Brown got 267,039 votes in 2024, a record for his party in a Texas Senate race. A great day for him on Nov. 3, he said, would be if he matched that, certain to net a higher percentage in the lower-turnout midterm.
Brown dismissed the criticism he says he gets regularly from Republicans that he is merely spoiling Paxton’s chances.
“They could avoid that problem by nominating a better candidate,” he said.
Brown said he tells Democrats the same thing.
“You can’t spoil a system that’s already rotten,” he said. “There are a lot of people making a protest vote, and there’s good reason to.”
Attendees listen as Republican U.S. Senate candidate Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a event kicking off his campaign's bus tour during an event at the Rockwall Municipal Airport Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Rockwall, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 28, 2026--
Columbia Sportswear (Nasdaq: COLM) is preparing for the worst with the launch of the “Don’t Panic Room,” a new social campaign and contest that challenges outdoor enthusiasts to prove they have the skills, ingenuity and resilience to survive. Interested participants can submit videos showcasing their survival skills for the chance to win a modified 40-foot x 8-foot off-grid bunker, stocked with loads of Columbia gear, footwear, tools and plenty of stuff needed for whatever comes next.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261028725608/en/
The campaign kicks off today with a film at columbia.com/bunker featuring Columbia CEO Tim Boyle, who calls on viewers to prove they have what it takes to win the “Don’t Panic Room.” As the world watches wealthy tech bros building bunkers for the worst-case scenarios, the brand feels that it’s important for the rest of society to have a shot at surviving whatever Mother Nature throws at us as well.
“We’ve been making gear for bad weather and other unfortunate moments for almost 90 years,” said Tim Boyle, CEO of Columbia Sportswear. “We’ve seen it all and we figured we’d offer our fans a chance to overcome the absolute worst that can happen in the outdoors. Hopefully the winner never needs the ‘Don’t Panic Room,’ but we made sure they’ll be warm and dry if the world does go to sh*t.”
The “Don’t Panic Room” is designed to keep occupants equipped and warm during a worst-cast weather scenario. The space features a bunk bed, a small kitchen and dining area, bathroom, a robotic dog named Rocky for companionship, and shelves stocked with survival gear, footwear, tools and supplies. And to arm occupants for adventures outside the bunker, a full Columbia section includes rows of canned jackets and gear to be opened in case of emergency.
Sealed in cans to withstand the test of time, jackets like Columbia’s Terwilliger Trail Heat Seal Hooded Jacket are ready to be opened when the weather takes a turn for the worst. When the need arises, occupants can simply pop open the cans to take advantage of Omni-Heat™ Infinity, Columbia’s patented reflective thermal technology that was inspired by emergency blankets, to stay warm. The bunker is also stocked with several pairs of Columbia footwear, including the Tellurix Titanium OutDry Mid, a technical waterproof shoe designed to tackle the most unexpected conditions.
The modified shipping container will be delivered directly to the winner, and entries will be accepted through November 24, 2026 via Instagram or by visiting columbia.com/bunker.
“The ‘Don’t Panic Room’ marks the next chapter in our Engineered for Whatever platform and is another unique way to show how our gear performs when conditions get especially tough. In this case, REALLY tough,” said Matt Sutton, Head of Marketing at Columbia Sportswear. “As we all watch tech people building bunkers to hide from their own tech, we want to reward the real survivalists and outdoors people who appreciate what Mother Nature has to offer.”
Media can access stills and video assets HERE.
Don’t Panic Room Contest Abbreviated Rules:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to legal residents of the 48 contiguous US/DC, 18 years of age (19 in AL/NE) and older. Void in AK, HI & where prohibited by law. Contest Entry Period starts at 12:00 p.m. ET on 10/28/26 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on 11/24/26. Prize is a 40’x8’ modified shipping container, which winner will need to receive and maintain, and $35,000. Subject to Official Rules, including important descriptions of the prize and requirements to receive it, how to enter, judging criteria, and restrictions, see http://www.DontPanicRoom.com/rules. Sponsor: Columbia Sportswear Company, 14375 NW Science Park Drive, Portland, OR 97229.
About Columbia Sportswear:
Columbia, the flagship brand of Portland, Oregon-based Columbia Sportswear Company, has been creating innovative apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment for outdoor enthusiasts since 1938. Columbia has become a leading global brand by channeling the company’s innovative spirit and passion for the outdoors into technologies and performance products that keep people warm, dry, cool and protected year-round. To learn more, please visit the company's website at: www.columbia.com.
An interior view of the Don't Panic Room, a real bunker that will be delivered to the contest winner's home.
Columbia's jackets are sealed in cans in the Don't Panic Room to be opened in case of emergency.
The Don’t Panic Room is a marketing campaign and contest that challenges outdoor enthusiasts to show they have the skills, ingenuity, and resilience to survive a worst-case scenario. One winner will receive a 40-foot off-grid modified shipping container delivered directly to their door and stocked with Columbia gear, tools, and survival essentials.
