When a local judge made a point to stop them at a recent parade to say that he believed Johnson was “the best bet” this year, Leona said she walked away feeling very surprised.

“I think people are thinking more about it this year,” she said. “He did do great things while he was the governor in New Mexico.”

The biggest challenge facing any third-party candidate is getting his name in front of people.

Merrick said he has called all of the national television networks to complain about the fact that none of the morning news shows has had Johnson on their programs.

After calling several times, Merrick was told that he should check with the networks’ local affiliates.

“The local stations told me that they had no idea why they would do that,” Merrick said. “The local stations told me that everything they use on Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton comes from their national affiliates.”

That’s left Merrick with only one choice.

“I need to be out here,” he said. “Even if people don’t wave or even appear to notice me, my hope is that some will notice the name on this sign. If their internet skills are better than mine, they might get online and learn something about him.”