Joshua Smith’s relationship with the Libertarian Party began about 10 years ago, shortly after he left the U.S. Navy and returned to civilian life.

“I was just kind of jaded with the military industrial complex, especially the wasteful spending,” he said.

Although he was registered as a Republican, Smith said he didn’t really fit under a traditional political umbrella.

Then he heard Ron Paul speak in 2008, when Paul sought the Republican presidential nomination, and “he really just opened my mind to libertarianism and personal freedom,” Smith said.

He joined the party but a year later became dissatisfied with its organizational structure and left.