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Lydia Christensen
Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate, Michigan · Open seat
Computer scientist and technology founder (Iron Fortress LLC)
Lydia Christensen is a computer scientist and technology founder from Ironwood, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, who says she grew up in the foster care system. The Libertarian Party of Michigan nominated her for U.S. Senate at its June 28, 2026 convention, and the party certified her nomination for the November 3, 2026 general election. She is running for the open seat held by Sen. Gary Peters, who is not seeking reelection, under the campaign name "Unchaining Michigan."
Where Christensen stands
- Civil liberties / digital privacy
- Says her top Senate priority would be protecting digital privacy and civil liberties through a comprehensive Digital Bill of Rights.
- Campaign finance
- Says she takes no corporate PAC money. She also says she is "disgusted" by a PAC with ties to the El-Sayed campaign that sent texts promoting her candidacy.
- Immigration
- Says due process applies to everyone on American soil, citizen or not, and opposes detaining anyone without it.
- Surveillance
- Opposes warrantless surveillance and facial recognition dragnets, including the warrantless tracing of cars and the monitoring of protesters.
- Health care
- Supports "Medicaid for All," which she describes as comprehensive coverage with $0 deductibles. A Libertarian Party profile describes her plan as opt-in rather than mandatory.
- Taxes
- Supports ending the federal income tax on earnings under $150,000, according to the Washington Free Beacon.
- Press freedom
- Calls for White House press access to be restored for CNN, MS NOW and Politico. Proposes stronger protections for journalists who cover the federal government.
- Campaign priorities
- Says her plan focuses on Great Lakes protection, housing, tribal sovereignty, civil liberties and economic opportunity.
Background
- Libertarian Party of Michigan nominee for U.S. Senate, nominated June 28, 2026
- No prior elected office found
- Founder of Iron Fortress LLC, a technology company focused on Bitcoin mining, AI compute, manufacturing and connectivity
- Education: says she earned the equivalent of two degrees in computer science and computer programming; graduated from Appleton West High School (per Votebook)
- Raised in the foster care system; lives in Ironwood, Michigan; describes herself as a member of the Kiowa-Sioux Nation
In the news
- Abdul El-Sayed's Treasurer Behind Super PAC Pushing Third-Party Libertarian as 'True Conservative' in Michigan Senate Race Washington Free Beacon, October 22, 2026
- Candidate Profile: Lydia Christensen for U.S. Senate Lowell's First Look, October 15, 2026
- Libertarian Lydia Christensen seeks Michigan U.S. Senate seat The Royal Oak Record, October 14, 2026
- Meet Michigan's United States Senate candidates The Eastern Echo, September 26, 2026
Also running for U.S. Senate
- Abdul El-Sayed Democratic
- Mike Rogers Republican
- Tim Long U.S. Taxpayers
- Douglas P. Marsh Green
- Walter P. Kristy Natural Law
Sources
- Campaign website
- Campaign website – About
- Libertarian Party candidate page
- The Royal Oak Record candidate questionnaire article
- CBS Detroit candidate overview
- Votebook profile
- Smarter.vote profile
- Washington Free Beacon
Last researched October 22, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.