Lydia
Christensen
Libertarian candidate for Michigan U.S. Senate in 2026; technology company founder from Ironwood, Michigan
- sources
- 12
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Lydia Christensen is the Libertarian Party candidate for Michigan's U.S. Senate seat in the November 3, 2026 general election. She was confirmed as the party's nominee following the Libertarian Party of Michigan's convention on June 28, 2026. The FEC classifies the contest as an open seat, and Christensen has held no prior elected offices. [Sources: 4, 10, 15]
Christensen was born in Ashland, Wisconsin, and her family is from Ironwood, Michigan, which she lists as her home. Her campaign biography states she earned the equivalent of two degrees in computer science and computer programming, then went on to found a technology company. No specific educational institutions or awarded degrees are named in her campaign materials. [Sources: 2, 15]
She formally announced her candidacy on August 1, 2025, initially as an independent before receiving the Libertarian nomination. Her campaign platform addresses issues including constitutional governance and a reframed approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. [Sources: 7, 12, 13, 15]
At a glance
- Party
- Libertarian
- Running for
- U.S. Senate, Michigan
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- lydialynnchristensen.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 8debateChristensen excluded from first major-party Michigan Senate debate in Grand Rapids
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers debated in Grand Rapids on October 9 (previewed October 7–8). CBS Detroit described it as a debate between major-party candidates and listed Christensen and other minor-party nominees separately. No sources reported Christensen participating.
cbsnews.com · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5pollMitchell Research poll shows Christensen and other minor-party candidates each at 3% or less
A Mitchell Research & Communications poll of likely Michigan voters, conducted around October 1 and reported October 5, showed Christensen among four minor-party candidates each polling at 3% or less. Her individual percentage was not specified. The poll had a 3.8-point margin of error.
El-Sayed leads Rogers in Michigan Senate poll, but history ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29controversyChristensen's policy positions on minimum wage and health care reported amid Libertarian Party controversy
The Detroit News reported that Christensen supports raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 and has promoted 'Medicaid for all.' She described her healthcare goal as dismantling crony monopolies and giving individuals autonomy over their care. The story centered on Michigan Libertarians disavowing their gubernatorial nominee; Christensen herself was not disavowed.
Michigan Libertarians disavow their candidate for governor · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 26newsStudent-news profile notes Christensen's campaign is volunteer-run with less than $1,000
The Eastern Echo published a profile of Michigan's U.S. Senate candidates in which Christensen's campaign website described a volunteer-run effort operating with less than a thousand dollars.
easternecho.com · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25newsChristensen expressed support for abortion access, green energy, and opposition to privatizing Social Security in OnTheIssues interview
In an email interview published on OnTheIssues (conducted around Sept. 25, published Sept. 26), Christensen stated she supports abortion access and prioritizing green energy, and opposes privatizing Social Security. She also called for lifting Michigan's 10% energy choice cap.
Lydia Lynn Christensen in 2026 MI Senatorial race - OnTheIssues.org · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 16newsChristensen listed as Libertarian Senate candidate on Michigan's November ballot
Voter guides published beginning in September listed Lydia Christensen as the Libertarian nominee for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat in the November 3 general election.
Voter guide: What's on the ballot in Michigan in the 2026 election? · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 2filingChristensen's campaign filed Form 99 reporting no more than $5,000 raised or spent
Christensen's campaign committee filed a Form 99 statement dated July 2 indicating it had not raised or spent more than $5,000 during the election cycle, per a race-tracking page updated October 1.
Michigan U.S. Senate | The Stated Record · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $0
- Spent
- $0
- Cash on hand
- $0
Reporting date not available. ↳ FEC record S6MI00442(opens in a new tab)
Sources 12
- [1] smarter.vote · races · mi-senate-2026Compare Michigan Senate candidates 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [2] cbsnews.com(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [3] El-Sayed leads Rogers in Michigan Senate poll, but history ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [4] Michigan U.S. Senate | The Stated Record(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [5] Michigan Libertarians disavow their candidate for governor(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [6] easternecho.com(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [7] Lydia Lynn Christensen in 2026 MI Senatorial race - OnTheIssues.org(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [8] Issues & Platform | Lydia Christensen for U.S. Senate(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [9] Voter guide: What's on the ballot in Michigan in the 2026 election?(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
- [10] End Citizens United | Lydia Christensen | Lydia Christensen for U.S. Senate(opens in a new tab) Aug 1, 2026
- [11] Ending Reckless Foreign Wars | Lydia Christensen | Lydia Christensen for U.S. Senate(opens in a new tab) Aug 1, 2026
- [12] Solving Michigan's Housing Crisis | Lydia Christensen for U.S. Senate(opens in a new tab) Aug 1, 2026