The Libertarian National Committee is expected to appoint Region 4 Alternate Representative Adrian F Malagon as interim secretary, according to an ongoing ballot. The LNC voted to suspend its current National Secretary during a special meeting last month.
The motion to appoint Malagon was introduced last week by Region 1 Representative Adam Haman and co-sponsored by several other committee members. A vote count maintained by the LNC shows that nine members have already voted in favor of Malagon’s appointment, while Treasurer Bill Redpath and At-Large Member Travis Bost abstained. With nine votes needed for a majority, Malagon’s appointment is likely to succeed unless individual votes change before the ballot closes on November 6.
If confirmed, Malagon would serve as interim secretary during the formal trial of Caryn Ann Harlos, the current National Secretary of the Libertarian Party. Harlos was initially elected by delegates at the 2024 Libertarian National Convention in Washington, D.C., but was later suspended by the Committee following allegations of gross misconduct. The trial is scheduled for this Saturday, November 9.
Editorial note: This article has been updated to reflect that Malagon would only oversee the trial scheduled for this week. Thanks to J. M. Jacobs for the clarification.
Notably, Malagon also chaired the investigatory committee that researched and presented the accusations brought against Harlos.
As of Monday morning, five LNC members have yet to vote, including Chair Angela McArdle, Vice Chair Mark Rutherford, At-Large Member Robert Vinson, Region 3 North Representative Dustin Nanna, and Region 3 South Representative Paul Darr.
There is currently a temporary vacancy – hence this motion to appoint Malagon as place-holder. But obviously the vacancy should become permanent, because Harlos is guilty beyond any shadow of a doubt, whether its cronies in the national and judicial committee wish to recognize that or not.
Fortunately, they are in the minority in the national committee; unfortunately, they control the judicial committee. So what will likely happen is that they force a stand-off between the two, which will finally destroy what few scraps of the LP, McArdle has managed to salvage.
If they don’t, Harlos’ suspension becomes permanent, and hopefully Malagon replaces it and it gets stripped of its party membership.
Either way, libertarians win.
Nuña, at this point there is no vacancy. CAH is suspended until the trial. For a vacancy to occur, CAH will have be found guilty, and a penalty of suspension imposed. If those things happen, she can appeal to the Judicial Committee.
I do hope Malagon does fill the vacancy. As interim secretary, he would be a logical choice; and as the LNC’s voice of reason, he would be a sound one, as well.
It is actually in RONR (47:34). See also 47:11 3). Malagon will fill the position in the upcoming meeting as secretary pro tem, The current secretary is barred from being secretary at the upcoming meeting.
If CAH is removed from office, which has not happened as of yet, then a vacancy will occur and that will have to be filled. That would be filling the vacancy for the remainder of the term. That would NOT necessarily be Malagon.
Hi J.M., I appreciate the clarity. Do you happen to know where that was mentioned? It doesn’t seem to be in the LNC public business list, and the motion in the spreadsheet only reads: “Motion: Move to appoint Adrian F Malagon as Interim LNC Secretary.”
The appointment, if it happens, will be just for one meeting. It is not an ongoing appointment.
The situation would be the same as if the Secretary was absent for a meeting.