Ray and Carol: A Life Steered by Libertarian Ideals and Unyielding Values

In an era when political and ideological convictions often seem transient, the story of Ray and Carol Cunningham stands out for its unwavering commitment to libertarian values and a life steeped in intellectual rigor. Their journey underscores the significance of maintaining consistent values and the capacity for adaptability in a dynamic world.

The Cunninghams have thrived thanks to the power of values-driven living. In addition to providing for continuous personal growth, their core values—integrity, empathy, resilience, authenticity, gratitude, open-mindedness, responsibility, compassion, fairness, and lifelong learning—have also been the bedrock of their political and philosophical journey. Living in San Francisco in the 1970s during the early years of their marriage, the Cunninghams were very active in establishing libertarian ideas and reasserting the ideas into the public discourse.

Ray started his libertarian journey while a cadet at the US Coast Guard Academy and then as a commissioned officer for 10 years. “I chanced to read a paperback copy of Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem during lunch hour while on a cadet training cruise,” Ray says. The book ignited a lifelong passion for libertarian thought and, over the next few years following graduation in 1964, Ray found more of Rand’s novels, which led him to “The Objectivist Newsletter,” publications from the Foundation for Economic Education, and Reason magazine. By 1971, Ray noticed ads for the formation of the Libertarian Party (LP).

“I had never registered to vote and was very cynical about politics, but the LP platform and objectives were consistent with my own views,” Ray recalls. “So I joined despite my cynicism.”

Shortly after resigning his Coast Guard commission on June 30, 1974, Ray was elected vice chairman of the California LP, and in 1975, he ran for mayor of San Francisco. He built on the experience by chairing the 1976 California LP presidential, 1978 California LP gubernatorial, and 1980 LP presidential campaigns.

It was during these years in San Francisco that Ray and Carol began working with Cato Institute Founder and President Emeritus Ed Crane to build organizations that advanced their beliefs.

“We were aware of Ed’s efforts together with Charles Koch’s with respect to Cato’s startup,” Ray says. “In fact, we hosted a modest reception at our apartment about that time that Charles, a most gracious and unpretentious individual, attended personally along with other local libertarians.”