Gary Johnson the first Republican to launch an official presidential campaign. Johnson: 'I am running for president'

Gary Johnson is running for president.

The former New Mexico governor — who favors legalizing marijuana — on Thursday skipped the step of an exploratory committee, saying bluntly on Twitter: "I am running for president."


That coincided with a speech in front of the New Hampshire statehouse, which made Johnson the first Republican to launch an official presidential campaign. On his new campaign website, Johnson positions himself as "The People's President," laying out libertarian-leaning stances on deficit reduction, education, taxes and drug policy.

Quickly shifting into full-fledged campaign mode, Johnson will hold another news conference Thursday afternoon, and will lunch with New Hampshire legislators. On Friday, he's hosting a kick-off event in Manchester, before hitting the ski slopes this weekend at Tuckerman Ravine, a thrill-seeking run on New Hampshire’s Mount Washington.

This article tagged under: 2012

Gary Johnson