Last updated on October 28, 2023
Libertarian National Committee member Adrian Malagon has moved to extend the contract of Austin Padgett with the LNC. Padgett had been working for the LNC under a short-term contract due to expire in October. His job duties involved raising money for the Libertarian Party national committee. The original contract had been controversial because Padgett is the boyfriend of LNC Chair Angela McArdle.
Malagon’s letter and motion reads:
Greetings All,
From the time that the Chair has taken over the duties of the Executive Director, monthly revenue has about doubled (from $74,000 per month to $148,000 per month). A big part of that success is directly attributed to the staffing choices she’s made and the aggressive fundraising plan she’s developed. Mr. Padgett is part of that plan.
It should be clear to everyone on this Board (based on recent information) that over the last couple of months Mr. Padgett has: worked up a brilliant pitch with the potential to close additional major donors, knows the LNC’s needs better than most, has over-delivered on fundraising by not only paying for himself, but by filling up the proverbial war chest, complimented staff’s efforts in stellar fashion with their full support, and done an excellent job hitting the phones (despite Civi’s embarrassing inability to generate accurate data or lists).
As Board members, it is our fiduciary duty to make financially responsible decisions for the LNC. This is one of the many reasons we were voted into our respective positions (or appointed) by the delegates. For all of the aforementioned reasons, and at the explicit request of director level staff, I request co-sponsors for the following motion:
I move that Austin Padgett’s contract be extended for 3 months from the initial contract’s end date.
This should be a sufficient amount of time for the Chair to find a permanent hire for this position, while ensuring that our successes continue uninterrupted.
Adrian F Malagon
At-Large Rep, Libertarian National Committee
Chair, Convention Oversight Committee
Chair, Libertarian Party of California
I believe this month the LNC added 2 new revenue streams. One being the 2024 convention packages the other being an online store selling merchandise.
It should be noted that LNC Treasurer Todd Hagopian voted against the contract extension.
Hmmm… I must have been misinformed. I thought fundraising was down.
Through last month, you are correct. By report, for this month fundraising went up.