The Ron Paul Revolution continues in the Free State
DATE: Friday, April 11, 2025
AUTHOR: Hon. Eric Brakey - Executive Director, Free State Project
From Thomas Jefferson to Ron Paul — and now to you and me — the cause of freedom is a project that spans every generation of our republic.
We've been passed the torch by those who came before us, and it is our responsibility to tend the flame and keep it burning.
For the last century, since the days of Woodrow Wilson, the American people have lived under progressively increasing power for the national government and diminishing freedoms for themselves.
I love the Free State Project because it is the most effective strategy for our times — gathering the remnant of torchbearers together to ensure our individual flames cannot be snuffed out and extinguished by petty tyrants.
After one generation, thousands have made the move and New Hampshire experiences a libertarian march through the institutions.
Right now, a libertarian-led legislature is cutting $800 million from the state budget, abolishing income taxes, expanding school choice, and eliminating numerous and arbitrary impositions on the people, like vehicle inspection mandates.
The success of the Free State Project has every would-be tyrant in New Hampshire howling and complaining — including Congressman Chris Pappas and some of his local progressive allies in the state legislature.
But this is only the beginning — and we have many more miles to travel before we sleep.
Our mission requires bringing even more libertarians to New Hampshire.
That's why we were glad to welcome three new movers and one visitor at the Free State last Friday at the monthly New Mover Potluck at the Quill.
Chris Lopez (FSP Welcome and Engagement Director) snaps a shot at the Quill's April New Mover Potluck in Manchester where dozens of Free Staters celebrated and welcomed three new movers and one visitor to the state.
Unfortunately, I had to miss the potluck.
Outreaching to the liberty diaspora often requires me to leave the #1 state for freedom.
That's why I was in the air and flying to YALCON Atlanta — a regional convention for Young Americans for Liberty.
Saturday, I joined a few friends on stage for a discussion of the legacy of Dr. Ron Paul (who turns 90 years old this year) and the advances of the movement he inspired thirteen years after his last run for President.
At YALCON Atlanta, Sean Themea (COO of Young Americans for Liberty) moderated a discussion between JP Cortez (Sound Money Defense League), Eric Brakey (Free State Project), and Jack Hunter (Libertarian Institute) on the legacy of Dr. Ron Paul and the revolution he inspired.
Of course, I took every opportunity at the conference to invite those in attendance to visit the Free State, including for our upcoming events.
(By the way, all four people in the photo above are coming for PorcFest XXII this June. Are you?)
After returning to New Hampshire, however, I knew there was more to say on the legacy of Dr. Paul, so I invited Jack Hunter to join me on this week's episode of the Porcupine Report.
Porcupine Report #59: “Ron Paul’s Legacy 13 Years Later” with Jack Hunter
Seasoned Porcupine Report guest Jack Hunter joins Eric to share excitement for the upcoming Porcupine Freedom Festival, where he’ll return as a featured speaker.
Together, they dig into current hot topics, including Cory Booker’s 25-hour performative Senate speech — which lacked the substance of past filibusters, like Rand Paul’s 2013 stand against John Brennan’s CIA nomination and drone policy.
They also reflect on Ron Paul's enduring legacy as he turns 90, highlighting how his influence sparked a new generation of activists and fueled movements in homeschooling, Bitcoin, and grassroots politics.
Finally, Eric and Jack weigh in on the recent leak involving national security discussions about bombing Yemen—and the disappointing lack of pushback from supposed anti-interventionist voices.
2025 NH Liberty Forum
We are only weeks away from the 2025 New Hampshire Liberty Forum and tickets are selling fast!
Due to high demand, we have expanded our capacity to accommodate up to 250 at the conference.
That leaves us with only 45 tickets remaining, so don't wait.
CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets for the 2025 New Hampshire Liberty Forum.
There are so many events taking place at the forum, which you can read all about at the website.
I am personally looking forward to the Soho Forum Debate on Saturday, moderated by Gene Epstein, between myself and Andrew Heaton on where libertarians should focus their efforts.
I want to take a moment to thank all our sponsors. Their investment in this event has made this upcoming conference possible.
On our main stage, speakers and panels will explore several areas where liberty-for-real policy advancements are taking place in state legislatures. Lessons from past victories and present efforts will be discussed to apply to future fights to establish liberty-for-real.
To promote deeper exploration in our "Liberty-For-Real" Dialogue Series, ten presenters will address challenges faced by emerging free societies with proposed solutions — followed by an interactive brainstorming session with participants.
Our childcare room is back for families with young children. Pay adults and teens to watch your kids while you enjoy the conference.
Let me also tell you about the awesome meals and receptions we have planned.
On Thursday night, we will greet early arrivers with a Welcome Reception, sponsored by Porcupine Real Estate.
On Friday night, we are preparing seven off-site dinners, hosted by and featuring different regional communities of the Free State.
On Saturday night, we will host a VIP dinner with remarks by Jeff Deist, followed by a live auction.
On Sunday morning, the Women of the Free are hosting a homemade brunch at the Quill in Manchester (just a 20 minute drive from the conference center).
We've also added great value to our VIP tickets this year, including:
Access to our Saturday night VIP dinner and auction;
Access to our VIP Lounge throughout the conference;
Early registration for limited seating events, including our Liberty-For-Real Dialogue Series, Friday off-site dinners, and the Sunday brunch at the Quill in Manchester.
Pre-registration for VIP ticket holders will begin next week. Be sure to watch your email inbox.
PorcFest XXII
I hope you are making your plans now for PorcFest XXII because it will be here before we know it: June 16-22.
We can also announce today that Angela McArdle (former LP National Chair) and Mike ter Maat (2024 LP Vice Presidential candidate) will both be joining us as speakers at PorcFest XXII.
They both bring unique experiences from this past national election cycle and perspectives to share on how to make liberty win going forward.
I also want to thank Dr. Simon Goddeck and Luke Rudkowski for promoting PorcFest XXII to their social media audiences.
Be sure to come out and hang with them around a campfire this June.
In keeping with our theme, we are restoring an old tradition: the "One Pot Cook-Off" is BACK at PorcFest!
Join us on June 19th at 5:00 p.m. to sample food from chefs all over the campground. Prizes for the best and most unique meals.
If you are interested in cooking, email Amberdaves08@gmail.com.
Join us for the 22nd annual Porcupine Freedom Festival this June 16-22, 2025!
It is my honor to serve as Executive Director of the FSP, and I hope to see you at both the NH Liberty Forum and the Porcupine Freedom Festival.
If you would like to support our continued outreach efforts, then please CLICK HERE to become a patron of the Free State Project.
Thank you for supporting our mission to achieve "Liberty in Our Lifetime" — one new mover at a time.
Please read on for more of our weekly update from the Free State, prepared by our Communications Director, Mahgdalen Rose.
For Liberty!
Hon. Eric Brakey
Executive Director
Free State Project
This Week in the Free State
FSP Founder, Jason Sorens, speaks with John Stossel about the hypocrisy of states running inefficient, exploitative lotteries while banning private-sector, competitive gaming. Click here to watch.
FSP Chair, Carla Gericke, invited Eric Brakey to join her weekly public access TV show, "Mach Talk," to discuss the 2025 NH Liberty Forum and dire wolves. Click here to watch.
Words Of Wisdom from Free Stater, Emily Parente:
"Here's to small bites and quiet nights. Here's to sunrises that show bare ground but also our breath on the chill air. Here's to creating, to planning but not yet executing. Here's to hens laying again and to the smiles brought on by baby animals. Here's to the slow drip, drip of thawing and stretching into this new form we are taking, as we emerge."
May the gifts of mud season find you, too. 🤎
Our Executive Director discusses why PorcFest is a must attend event for Libertarians! Watch the full clip!
Wall of Shame
Free State > Empire State
New York enacts even more gun control laws, including surveilling your credit card charges for guns and ammo.
Meanwhile, in NH, we have no gun registry and you can even carry without a license. Don't you deserve to live free?