Libertarian Gary Johnson heads here for pricey fundraiser, public rally

Tormer New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson leaves the Utah State Capitol after meeting with with legislators in Salt Lake City. Tormer New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson leaves the Utah State Capitol after meeting with with legislators in Salt Lake City. Photo: Rick Bowmer, Associated Press Photo: Rick Bowmer, Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Libertarian Gary Johnson heads here for pricey fundraiser, public rally 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Libertarian Party presidential nominee Gary Johnson is coming to Seattle on September 17th, a visit that will include a pricey $1,000-per-person fundraiser with celebrity hosts as well as a public rally.

The visit was revealed by rock musician Krist Novoselic, once the bass guitarist with Nirvana, who will co-host the Seattle Sheraton fundraiser with comedian and longtime libertarian activist Drew Carey.

Washington has shown signs of being fertile libertarian ground. Then-U.S. Rep. Ron Paul drew big, largely young crowds during his 2012 bid for the Republican presidential nomination.

Gary Johnson is a former Governor of New Mexico, one of the nation's first politicians to champion the legalization of marijuana. A longtime pot user, Johnson has pledged to lay off grass while seeking America's highest office. He is running on a ticket with ex-Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, a blueblood, New York-based Republican moderate.

At least two prominent Republicans who refuse to support Donald Trump -- gubernatorial nominee Bill Bryant and U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert -- have said they will take a look at Johnson while agonizing over how to vote in November.

A prominent Republican activist in Washington, Mary Lane Strow, has struggled with the presidential choice on her Facebook page. She has decried Trump as an "idiot" and a "maniac," and Clinton as an "effing liar".

"I cannot believe I just donated ($15) to a Libertarian," she wrote on Aug. 2. "But I did. I want to see Gary Johnson allowed in the public debates so he can rip Donald Trump to shreds."

Johnson will need 15 percent national support, in major polls, to be invited on stage at the three presidential debates. The first is Sept. 26.

Johnson is getting attention and support, particularly in the West.

According to a 50-state Washington Post poll released on Tuesday, Washington is one of Johnson's strongest states.

In a multi-candidate contest, he would receive 16 percent of the vote, compared to 41 percent for ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and 31 percent for Trump.

Strong Johnson states include New Mexico (25 percent), Utah (23 percent, one click behind Clinton), Idaho (19 percent), Alaska (19 percent), Kansas (17 percent), Colorado (16 percent), South Dakota (19 percent) and North Dakota (16 percent).

Johnson adheres to the Libertarians' non-interventionist foreign policy, and downsizing of the federal government, but is a defender of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its role in American life.