Maricopa County Libertarian Party Endorses Joe Forte for Tempe City Council:
A Champion of “Live and Let Live” Philosophy

TEMPE, AZ – The Maricopa County Libertarian Party (MCLP) today announces its enthusiastic endorsement of independent candidate Joe Forte for the 2026 Tempe City Council election. As a U.S. Navy veteran, small business owner, and 20-year Tempe resident, Forte embodies the libertarian commitment to individual freedom, limited government, and non-aggression—principles that drive real change at the local level.

Forte’s platform aligns seamlessly with MCLP values: prioritizing fiscal transparency to safeguard taxpayer dollars, protecting property rights against overreaching zoning mandates, and fostering free-market growth for small businesses without bureaucratic interference. His service on Tempe’s Development Review Commission demonstrates a hands-on dedication to balanced policies that empower residents, not encroach on their choices.

In a recent op-ed, Forte captured this ethos perfectly: “Live and Let Live” means government steps back from peaceful decisions, approving neighborly improvements while rejecting coercive rules that stifle progress. As Forte writes, “Real freedom starts local”—a rallying cry for Tempe families seeking prosperity through voluntary cooperation.

“MCLP has long supported liberty-aligned leaders in non-partisan races, just as we backed Nathan Madden for Buckeye Union High School District,” said Eric Fowler. “Joe Forte is that same voice for Tempe: practical, principled, and unapologetically pro-freedom. We’re proud to stand with him.”

Join MCLP in advancing a freer Tempe. Visit forte4tempe.com, sign up to volunteer, and vote Joe Forte on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.