Bryan Elliot, an at-large representatives on the Libertarian National Committee and member of its Executive Committee, announced his resignation over the weekend, citing personal reasons related to his medical health.
“I am sorry to announce that a recent diagnosis means my health has reached a point where I can no longer be confident of carrying out the duties of an At-Large LNC member,” Elliott wrote on Saturday. “I therefore, regretfully, must resign from my positions within the Libertarian Party.”
Elliott was first elected to the LNC at the 2022 Libertarian National Convention in Reno. He previously served as treasurer of the Libertarian Party of Nevada and was the party’s most recent nominee for Nevada state treasurer, receiving more than 16,000 votes, or approximately 1.6% of the total.
Following news of Elliott’s intent to resign, several LNC members have stepped forward with suggestions on who should fill the future vacant seat. Unlike regional representatives, at-large members do not have alternates, and the seat will remain vacant until the committee votes to appoint a replacement.
Recognizing the timing and urgency presented by Elliott’s resignation, LNC Secretary Caryn Ann Harlos recommended fellow LNC member Kathy Yeniscavich, presuming she accepted the nomination.
If [Yeniscavich] is elected that would leave a vacancy for Region 1 Alternate which I am confident that Region 1 would have no issue filling though it would be hard to replace Kathy,” Harlos suggested. Yeniscavich, an Arizona Libertarian who also chairs the Audit Committee of the Libertarian Party of Arizona State Board, has served as Region 1 Alternate Representative since first being elected at the 2022 Libertarian National Convention.
Mark Tuniewicz, the current Region 6 Representative, suggested that the LNC instead look at the candidates from the most recent convention in Reno and nominate the next three highest vote-getters who initially failed to win. “To honor the will of our members as explicitly expressed at our last convention, I propose that our candidate pool come from the [three] unsuccessful candidates coming in 6th, 7th, and 8th in terms of vote totals,” Tuniewicz said. “In my recollection […] those individuals were: John Wilford, Whitney Bilyeu, [and] Feena Bonoan.”
Minutes of the 2022 Libertarian National Convention reflect that former LNC Secretary John Wilford (36.1%), former LNC Chair Whitney Bilyeu (30.8%), and Vice Chair of the Libertarian Party of Hawaii Feena Bonoan (23.7%) were the next highest vote-getters for an At-Large position in order of vote totals.
Chair Angela McArdle announced that the nominating period for a new at-large member will remain open until Saturday, April 15, to provide adequate time to inform party membership.
It seems the Mise Party can’t keep people in leadership positions.