Gary Johnson To Run As Libertarian

Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson will drop out of the GOP primary race and run as a Libertarian. Johnson was the lone GOP candidate to endorse same-sex marriage. And most of you say, "Gary who?"

Johnson will seek the Libertarian nod at the party’s national convention in Las Vegas in May. Party officials said last month that they are holding out hope that Paul and former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura would contend for their nomination, though Paul is now the GOP front-runner in Iowa and Ventura is vacationing at his home in Mexico, where he does not have a telephone or an Internet connection. Libertarian executive director Wes Benedict said Johnson will need to compete for the nomination at the party’s convention in Las Vegas the first weekend next May, but was happy to have him join the process. “I’m always delighted when the Republican Party drives Republicans out of their party and into the Libertarian Party,” Benedict said.

Johnson's name will not appear on the ballot in several key states where he is already listed as a Republican.

RELATED: Johnson's statement on gay marriage: "For a very long time, society has viewed gay marriage as a moral and, yes, religious issue. Today, I believe we have arrived at a point in history where more and more Americans are viewing it as a question of liberty and freedom. That evolution is important, and the time has come for us to align our marriage laws with the notion that every individual should be treated equally."

ALSO RELATED: Upon the withdrawal of Herman Cain, former GOProud head Chris Barron endorsed Johnson.