 In the 2016 election, Ventura tried to officially endorse Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders but his endorsement was rejected.Ventura also endorsed Donald Trump for the Republican nomination and expressed openness to being his running mate, while distancing himself from Trump's immigration positions.Ventura then endorsed former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party nominee, saying, "Johnson is a very viable alternative" and "This is the year for a third-party candidate to rise if there ever was one."