Paul defeated Native American activist Russell Means at the Libertarian Party 's National Convention in Seattle to win the party 's presidential nomination . Former Alaska State representative Andre Marrou was selected as his running mate . After over a year of campaigning as the Libertarian Party nominee , Paul received very little media coverage , and was excluded from presidential debates . On Election Day , he was on the ballot in 46 states and the District of Columbia , and finished in third place with approximately 0.47 % of the vote , behind Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis and the winner Vice President George H.W. Bush
National Convention
1987 Libertarian National Convention
Ron Paul 1988 presidential campaign