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LPNH Opens Investigation Into Delegate Conduct at Libertarian National Convention

The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire has opened an investigation into the conduct of one of its delegates at this year’s Libertarian National Convention, with state party leaders approving the creation of a committee to recommend whether the individual should have their party membership terminated.

In a July 24 post on X, the party said its Executive Committee is reviewing the matter in accordance with its bylaws and has approved the formation of a committee to recommend whether membership termination is warranted. The party did not name the delegate or describe the conduct under review, though the announcement appears likely to concern Andrew Allgood, a New Hampshire delegate whose credentials were revoked during the convention following a confrontation involving Illinois delegate Alexa Maffei.

In a post following the altercation, LPNH accused Maffei of taking party property and a delegate banner, sharing a picture of her holding the materials and adding that both alleged thefts had been captured on video. The party also criticized those it said were defending theft, writing online to “pay attention to the ‘libertarians’ who defend theft.” Delegates later voted from the floor to revoke Allgood’s credentials, and photos circulated afterward showing him being escorted from the premises by police.

The Libertarian National Committee did not issue a formal statement on the confrontation. However, then-Region 6 Alternate Ben Weir, himself a former LPNH chair, promptly condemned Allgood’s conduct in a social media post relaying what he called an eyewitness account of the altercation.

Weir wrote that Allgood confronted Maffei over allegations that she had taken stacks of a Free State Food Network magazine before striking her across the face, ultimately resulting in his detention and arrest by local police. He said any alleged theft should be handled appropriately, but that physical violence was unacceptable and that Allgood should be expelled from both LPNH and national party membership.

Under Article V.D of LPNH’s bylaws, the Executive Committee may terminate a member only by unanimous vote and only “for cause.” The bylaws limit cause to several categories, including calls for the initiation of force or “the initiation of physical violence,” certain acts involving party assets, or running as a Libertarian against a candidate endorsed by the state party.

Article X separately allows the Executive Committee to create special committees for particular tasks, much like what the party says it is doing now, though the power to terminate membership remains with the Executive Committee itself.

Before any such termination vote, the Executive Committee must conduct due diligence, including obtaining a statement from the member. The member must receive at least 10 days’ written notice and be allowed to speak on their own behalf. If the Executive Committee does terminate the member in question, that person may appeal the decision to the state party’s Judicial Committee.

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