Matt Johnson has resigned as chair of the Libertarian Party of Florida, saying in a message to party members that he is stepping down effective immediately over financial challenges and renewed internal tensions within the organization.
Writing on the party’s internal bulletin board on Friday, Johnson said he had devoted “hundreds of hours” of labor during his time in leadership, largely rebuilding the party’s technical infrastructure. He added he had been one of the largest recurring donors and fundraisers for the party during the same period.
“I personally built the LPF website, convention websites, affiliate platforms, candidate sites, and the full NationBuilder system that powers our donations, ticketing, email marketing, SMS messaging, and daily operations,” Johnson wrote. “This is work that would normally cost tens of thousands of dollars. I did it for free because the Party needed it.”
Johnson was first named chair in 2024 after then-chair Josh Hlavka announced he would be relocating from Florida to Arizona. Johnson had been serving as the party’s vice chair at the time of Hlavka’s resignation and was reelected to the position at the party’s February state convention in Clearwater.
In addition to his state party role, Johnson has also served as Region 2 alternate to the Libertarian National Committee since 2024.
In his message, Johnson said the party is currently operating at a monthly loss and facing outstanding obligations, including costs associated with its recent convention. He warned that recurring expenses have grown to exceed dependable revenue and expressed frustration with members whom he said were not treating the situation seriously or contributing to address the party’s financial problems.
“Instead of addressing that reality through fundraising and shared financial responsibility, the conversation has shifted toward cutting the very infrastructure that allows this Party to function,” he wrote. “At the same time, many individuals are eager to hold a vote on how the Party is run while contributing little to nothing in terms of fundraising, donations, affiliate growth, or actual operational work.”
Johnson further warned that internal divisions within the party are once again becoming apparent. He said he previously worked to stabilize the organization following a period of fallout he attributed to “the Mises Caucus faction split,” which he said caused “real damage” to the party, and expressed concern about the party repeating similar mistakes.
“Individuals associated with past internal disruption and bad decision-making are once again attempting to exert influence, and members of this board are allowing it to happen,” he wrote. “Whether out of naivety, indifference, or misplaced priorities, the result is the same.”
Johnson said that while he would remain a libertarian, he would no longer financially support the organization, calling on the party’s treasurer to cancel his recurring contributions. He said the party would not succeed unless it learned from those mistakes and focused on discipline, accountability, and active participation from members.
“Liberty deserves a serious organization,” he wrote. “Right now, we are not acting like one.”
Under the most recent party constitution, Edward Appler, the current vice chair of the Libertarian Party of Florida, would assume the duties of chair following Johnson’s resignation. The party’s executive committee will meet to appoint a new vice chair at a later date.
I am sorry to hear of this depressing event.