Addendum: The Libertarian Party of Louisiana has issues a statement condemning this action. See comments for their statement.
Aside: We are getting comments on this post. Some of them are from the same people repeatedly, making the same or very similar comments. We are trying to keep a balance between debate is good and multiple posts drowning out opponents is not the right solution.
The LNC Executive Committee met this evening, February 4 to discuss Ballot Access funding and political strategy. There was a motion to go to Executive Session. The motion was that the session was to be open to Executive Committee members, LNC members and alternates, representatives from the states in question, and members of the Ballot Access Committee.
ExComm Member Malagon moved to amend to bar the Region 6 and 7 Regional Representatives, Mr. Tuniewicz and Ms. Vest, from the meeting. The Region 6 and 7 Alternates would be allowed to attend. There was a pointed discussion, partially on the chat list associated with the zoom meeting. (See below).
The motion passed 4-2, the Chair not voting.
The Treasurer, Mr. Hagopian, announced that he would not be attending the Executive Session.
[Editorial Addendum: As the question has arisen, no one on the LNC, including Tuniewicz and Vest, claimed that the Malagon amendment was out of order or a violation of the bylaws. The motion was understood to be in order. One member, to my ear, misused the word ‘right’ in a way that created confusion, but it eventually became clear what he meant, and that ‘right to attend’ was not being claimed.]
The discussion, partially in the Zoom Chat, follows
Malagon: Moves to amend the motion for Executive Session to exclude the representatives of regions 6 and 7 from the executive session. Malagon claims that there have been leaks from executive session and this was done by Tuniewicz and/or Vest. The region 6 and 7 alternates in particular Mr. Redpath would be allowed to remain.
Tuniewicz: I have signed and honored my NDA.
Vest: Mr. Malagon are you implying I am leaking information from executive session?
Mark Tuniewicz: There has not been any meetings of the Executive Committee where LNC members and alternates have not been present. Mr. Malagon has made false accusations as part of this discussion.
Beth Vest: I believe he has. I will consult my region about this. @Adrian F Malagon are you saying I have leaked information from executive sessions?
Mark Tuniewicz: This is the wrong thing to do, and sets an awful precedent. Shame.
Adrian F Malagon: Well, you’re an awful person so…
Beth Vest: Madam Chair, I ask that you address Mr. Malagon as to his comments and accusations.
Angela McArdle: Mr. Malagon, please no personal insults. It’s a tense night. We need to just move on.
Hagopian: I will not be participating in this executive session. (Editor: They are discussing spending money and the Treasurer declines to participate.)
Mark Tuniewicz: THAT was the most principled thing I’ve heard on this LNC in a long time. Hat’s off to the Treasurer.
We have received a statement from the Libertarian Party of Louisiana:
Libertarian Party of Louisiana
·
As a state navigating ballot access issues, it was a shock to hear the Region 6 and 7 reps were specifically excluded from LNC discussions on ballot access strategy based only on unsubstantiated rumors from a habitually abusive and unprofessional member.
We expect better of the Libertarian National Committee.
For the LNC’s Executive Committee to back the decision to specifically exclude two regional representatives based on nothing but an accusation is a violation of our trust and shows disrespect for the affiliates which appointed these representatives.
Thank you to those on the committee who stood against this corruption. May you inspire others to do the same.
Seems to me the 13 state chairs from regions 6 and 7 should be calling Angela McArdle and protesting the exclusion of their representatives. I could see state parties retaliate by not allowing members of the LNC to attend state conventions.
If more members would stand up for their rights, it would discourage bad actors from violating their rights.
Neither Tuniewicz nor Vest are member of the Executive Committee and neither has a right to attend; they are guests of the members, at best.
Also note that this is not the first time, as Duque was excluded from an Executive Committee meeting in August. That was perfectly in order, and Tuniewicz attended , as a guest, that very meeting, the one that excluded Duque.
If the executive committee is seeking to have LNC members take part in a derivative lawsuit against the LNC, it’s Mr. Makagon’s reckless actions that gave brought us to that point. if the Chair can’t control her lapdog, she must bear the consequences. Shame.
The Executive Committee is a subcommittee of the Libertarian National Committee.
Members of the Libertarian National Committee have an obligation of oversight for the Executive Committee and are prevented from fulfilling that obligation by an Executive Committee member excluding specific members from meetings of the Executive Committee.