Midland Libertarian Candidate Aims to Give Voters a Voice

Ali Sledz says third-party campaigns hold major-party candidates accountable.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:21am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dynamic, abstract painting of a person at a podium, their form repeated in overlapping, geometric waves of warm and cool colors, conceptually representing the fractured nature of the current political landscape.A Libertarian candidate's campaign aims to give voice to independent-minded voters in a fractured political environment.Midland Today

Ali Sledz, a Midland mother and military wife, is running as the Libertarian Party's candidate in the 35th state Senate election. Sledz says third-party campaigns are important because they give voters another choice and hold major-party candidates accountable, even if the Libertarian candidate doesn't win. Her platform includes lowering taxes and opposing taxpayer subsidies for data centers.

Why it matters

With 45% of the country identifying as independent, and over 50% of millennials and Gen Z, there is a growing desire for alternative political options beyond the two-party system. Sledz's campaign aims to give voice to these independent-minded voters and hold the major-party candidates more accountable.

The details

Sledz became a Libertarian at age 18 after becoming disillusioned with the actions of President Obama. She is running her campaign with the help of her husband, and her goals include building a local Libertarian Party affiliate in the 35th district so there is more grassroots support for future elections. Sledz believes that even if she doesn't win, her campaign can still make a difference by getting issues heard that might not otherwise be discussed.

  • Sledz was nominated as the Libertarian Party's candidate in a party convention at The H Hotel in January 2026.
  • The 35th state Senate election is scheduled for November 2026.

The players

Ali Sledz

A Midland mother and military wife who is running as the Libertarian Party's candidate in the 35th state Senate election. Her platform includes lowering taxes and opposing taxpayer subsidies for data centers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Realistically, my chances are small. I don't have the money or the backing. But I think that's part of why it's important. My opponents are backed with a lot of money that isn't coming from our area. Does our constituency, does the 35th's voice, matter if money is coming in and influencing what they're saying, doing, and how they're going to vote when they get there?”

— Ali Sledz, Libertarian Candidate

“If you're voting against your conscience, you're already throwing away your vote. We have to be responsible to our own feelings — that's counselor speak, right? If you can say, 'I really don't like either of these things,' then as a counselor, I'm saying, 'Well, then why would you do it? Tell me why.' If your reasoning is, 'Well, I don't want to waste a vote,' well then, is it really a waste if it makes you feel better that you did the thing that feels accountable to yourself?”

— Ali Sledz, Libertarian Candidate

What’s next

Sledz's campaign will focus on building a local Libertarian Party affiliate in the 35th district to increase grassroots support for future elections.

The takeaway

Sledz's campaign highlights the growing desire among voters, especially younger generations, for alternative political options beyond the two-party system. Even if she doesn't win, her campaign aims to give voice to independent-minded voters and hold the major-party candidates more accountable.