Earlier this week, a large data dump was leaked to members of the media, as well as media outlets within the circles of the Libertarian Party.
The leaked information through an undisclosed source details leading up to the 2022 takeover by the Trump-adjacent alt-right in Reno, Nev. A lot of the actions considered as corruption by the source surrounds that of the Mises Caucus faction of the party, whose worldview is the clear and exact opposite of its so-called namesake, Ludwig von Mises.
It is also inclusive of backdoor deals within the caucus and outright conflicts of interest in the 15 months since this faction took over.
The source of the leak is relying on the comprehensive testimony of now-former LNC Region 1 Miguel Duque and his wife, Anna Johnson, who is the current chair of the Libertarian Party of Washington.
“We were among the first Mises Caucus organizers to take over our state party. We were instrumental in helping the caucus do so in other states,” Duque and Johnson said. “Our level of involvement gave us front row seats to observe every detail of the slow excruciating train wreck of internal strife and repeat unforced errors both within the Mises Caucus since before Reno and within the LNC since then.
The two have faced accusations of putting the Libertarian Party at risk, or that of Duque allegedly violating his duty to the organization by telling the truth.
Libertarian Party plagued with mistakes by current national board
“We believe the massive opportunity of the takeover [Reno Reset] has thus far been utterly squandered,” they said. “This Party is being severely injured by the unavoidable mistakes made by leadership.”
Duque and Johnson allude to the Mises majority members of the Libertarian National Committee (LNC), led by national chair Angela McArdle.
“The board and Angela have put the organization in peril and will continue to do so with their inability to lead,” they said.
The takeover has resulted in many long-time members to leave, while three state affiliates have broken off from the LNC to establish the Association of Liberty State Parties.
Those who have stuck around have shown frustration with the board when they learn how little this current administration has accomplished and how their money and time resources have been squandered.
“If there is any chance for the Libertarian Party to be saved, it must begin with transparency,” they added.
A lot of things within these files will back up their claims, according to the source.
Not implicated in these documents are the non-Mises representatives in Region 6, Mark Tuniewicz and William Redpath.
What’s going on with the Libertarian Party?
The LNC and its headquarters in the D.C. suburb of Alexandria, Va. is suffering first and foremost from a lack of vision. Through an extensive extension of dereliction of duty, it leads back to McArdle.
The committee to date has refused to change the way things are done on the LNC. Backroom deals are still prevalent. Board members within the Mises Caucus majority are all jockeying for control and often resorting to infighting with their ranks. Worst of all, all crucial actions are stuck in procedural stalemates not only due to declining staff but also frivolous lawsuits and its declining cash on hand.
By extension, these members are cloaking their actions and assertions under the guise of confidentiality, including items that are unnecessarily specified as confidential. This would result in Duque being publicly chastised by the LNC for raising ethical concerns.
Individuals who are detrimental forces to the party
There were several individuals listed by Duque and Johnson as detrimental forces in the national Libertarian Party:
Caryn Ann Harlos
Harlos was first elected as national secretary in 2018. Throughout her tenure, she has a massively toxic and detrimental force on the LNC.
This is known to McArdle for many years and has stated so extensively via private messaging.
However, in an act of hypocrisy, McArdle chooses to placate and praise her before the LNC and in public. Instead of challenging her, McArdle opts to give Harlos tremendous authority. No other national secretary of any political party is not allowed to have this level of authority. This includes her incessant meddling with the opertations of state affiliates.
Steven Nekhalia
Steven Nekhalia, a board member of the Libertarian Party of Florida, in addition to holding roles on the Executive Committee and chairman of the Employment Policy and Compensation Committee, has a track record of undermining authority within the party.
Nekhalia has been actively undermining McArdle to gain power for his own personal gain. On top of all this, he has created staff dysfunction leading to many key staff departures.
Similar to Harlos, McArdle bends the knee to him, allowing him to get away with his actions.
The LNC and its conflicts (internal and conflicts of interests)
McArdle and other members who were at one time consistent and determined about overhauling the party. Since then, they have taken a reverse course on that narrative.
They have allowed for themselves to be thrown under the bus. This is mostly because McArdle is afraid of losing her position of power.
While Duque and very few others stayed the course, it wasn’t the case for others.
Many members have chosen to remain silent about these issues.
McArdle is even on record stating, “I have an LNC that is afraid of conflict.”
Putting public image and cults of personality before the party
Ultimately, McArdle and most of the LNC are putting their own public image ahead of fixing the problems of the party.
They are also putting cults of personality, chances of being re-elected in 2024, and/or aversion to conflict over their duty.
As an underlying result, the LNC as a whole has been unable to move the needle toward liberty.
In Part 2, we will break down technical and operational issues of the LNC. We will also uncover more issues relating to Caryn Ann Harlos.
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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.
