The Libertarian Party’s Judicial Committee has unanimously upheld the Libertarian National Committee’s vote to disaffiliate the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire, rejecting an appeal from the state party that sought to restore it as a recognized affiliate.
In a forwarded email shared to the Libertarian National Committee’s public Business List, Judicial Committee Chair Ken Moellman said the committee met in executive session on August 17, where members voted 7–0 to affirm the revocation of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire’s affiliate status. Moellman also said at least four written opinions are being prepared and will be published no later than September 11.
The ruling leaves in place an earlier vote of the LNC in May to revoke the state group’s affiliate status. National committee members met shortly following the end of the Libertarian National Convention and approved the move in a 15–2 vote with one abstention. In a later statement, the national organization cited the state party’s 2024 endorsement of then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, its criticism of Libertarian candidates, and what it called the promotion of anti-libertarian positions as justifications.
LPNH appealed the decision, arguing that the LNC failed to provide it with adequate notice or allow a meaningful opportunity for it to respond before acting. The Judicial Committee then held a hearing on August 11 for representatives of both sides to present their cases.
Attorney Ian Huyett represented New Hampshire during the proceedings, where he contended that the national committee should have investigated the allegations beforehand and established cause through a more formal process before disaffiliating the organization. In support of its appeal, the state party also presented a series of witnesses, including former LNC Chair Angela McArdle, former state party chairs Nick Hubbard and Ben Weir, and current Chair Jeremy Kauffman.
LNC Secretary Jonathan McGee, who represented the national organization, argued that no additional investigation was necessary because New Hampshire had never disputed its Executive Committee’s endorsement of Trump, which national leaders said violated party bylaws. He also rejected another claim from New Hampshire that it was being punished for the actions of earlier state leaders, maintaining that later changes in leadership did not remove responsibility from the organization.
LPNH also challenged the composition of the Judicial Committee itself, noting that only Moellman and Avens O’Brien originally won election at the national convention in May. The two later appointed five members to fill the remaining seats, saying at the time that they had solicited input and reviewed how similar vacancies had been handled in the past.
In his email, Moellman said alongside the ruling that the committee is preparing a separate document explaining the history and process behind those appointments, though he stressed that it will not constitute a decision on the committee’s own legitimacy.
“It is not a ruling or decision, as a committee is not able to decide on its own legitimacy,” Moellman said. “The only body which can make such a determination is the appointing body, which would be a national convention body.”
Following last week’s hearing, LPNH said that it was prepared for the possibility of losing the appeal, warning that the LNC’s handling of the dispute could have consequences for other state affiliates. “Because of LNC’s handling of the disaffiliation of LPNH, every convention from here on is a fight over which states get purged,” the party said at the time.
As of this article’s publication, the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire has not publicly addressed the ruling. A response will be included if one is made.
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