On Monday evening, Interim Libertarian Party Executive Director Lainie Huston announced on the Libertarian National Committee internal list her decision to step down from the role, citing a desire to return to the tech and innovation sector. Huston departs after serving as Interim Executive Director for nearly a year, initially joining in late 2022 to succeed former Director Tyler Harris.
“About one year ago, Angela asked me to come aboard as an interim Executive Director to help streamline and hone the potential of the Libertarian Party,” Huston wrote in her departure email. “We’ve accomplished some great work here, but I’m returning to the tech and innovation world, and it’s time to hand off the baton to the next leader. I’m excited to announce that we are on the lookout for a new Executive Director to continue the work of revitalizing the organization.”
In her email to members of the Libertarian National Committee, Huston commended party staff and volunteers for their work in service of the Libertarian Party. She said it was her choice to leave and praised the position’s challenges and responsibilities and what it has meant to her over the year.
“Whether you work in this role as part of a one year sabbatical like me or for a longer exchange, this job presents a host of meaty challenges, great collaborators, and the opportunity to work on an incredibly meaningful cause,” she wrote.
While Lainie Huston’s resignation post said that the organization would publicize a complete job description in the coming weeks and look for a new Executive Director to continue working on revitalizing the organization soon after, LNC Chair Angela McArdle stated on X that same evening that she was in no great rush to fill the position.
“We are not actually hiring a new exD for a couple months,” McArdle said in response to a thread promoting Larry Sharpe as a potential job candidate.
https://twitter.com/angela4LNCChair/status/1686139401502396416
Huston stated that her remaining days with the organization will be dedicated to collaborating with staff and stakeholders, synthesizing the insights gained during the past year.
It’s worth noting the LP has had 5 people who have served as Executive Director in the last 5 years
Please note this is NOT “inside” info – Ms. Huston is not “Interim” director – she served in that role from Aug 22 – Jan 23. She is the Executive Direct. Her contract as such was approved at the Jan 08 LNC Meeting – see pg 6: https://www.lp.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/LNC-Meeting_2023-01-08_FINAL.pdf
APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CONTRACT
Ms. McArdle moved to approve the contract to hire Lainie Huston as our Executive Director. A roll call vote was conducted with the following results: This motion PASSED with a roll call vote of 15-0-2.