Barry Hess

Barry J. Hess II is an investor, business owner, writer and United States Libertarian Party activist. He was the Libertarian Party of Arizona nominee for U.S. Senate from Arizona in 2000 finishing 4th of 4 with 70,724 votes (5.06%), and the Libertarian candidate for Governor of Arizona in 2002 (fourth of four with 1.66%), 2006 (third of three with 1.97%) and 2010 (3rd of four with 2.24%). Hess sought the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination in 2000. In 2008, Hess was named the vice president candidate in Arizona for the Boston Tea Party's candidate Charles Jay.
Early life and education
After growing up in Florida, Ohio and New Hampshire, Hess earned a B.A. in English from Fordham University in 1979.
Political campaigns
After working in Manhattan Hess later relocated to Arizona and has served as vice-chair of the Arizona Libertarian Party.
Hess sought the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination in 2000, receiving 6% of ballots cast in the Libertarian National Convention vote in which Harry Browne won the party's nomination. He went on to receive the Libertarian nomination in the Arizona Senate race. In the general election, where Hess ran against incumbent Republican Jon Kyl (who saw no Democratic opposition, Hess received 70,724 votes for 5.06% of the total vote.
In 2002, Hess ran for Governor of Arizona as a Libertarian. During his 2002 campaign, Hess admitted to owing the Internal Revenue Service $47,000 in unpaid taxes. Running against Democrat Janet Napolitano, Independent Richard Mahoney, and Republican Matt Salmon, Hess received 20,356 votes for 1.66% of the total.
Hess declared his intention to run for Governor again in November 2005, but delayed his formal announcement as he deliberated whether to run as a Republican or as a Libertarian. In February 2006, Hess announced his candidacy as a Libertarian and was uncontested for his party's nomination. During the campaign, Hess was publicly endorsed by professional wrestler Sean Morley and by Republican Mike Harris, who was defeated in his own party's primary.
In the general election, Hess received 30,268 votes for 1.97% of the total vote against Democrat Janet Napolitano and Republican Len Munsil.

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