Justin O’Donnell Writes the LNC

It has been an exciting time following the LNC business list today, although I’m sure it has been probably more of a chore to be participating in it for most of you!

However, there were a few things I saw mentioned that I would like to discuss, and perhaps provide some needed context for understanding, in regards to the affiliation petitions from New Hampshire.

Firstly, with a note of levity, should the committee decide for some reason, that Mr Martin’s interpretation of the bylaws is correct, absent all sensible rationale otherwise, and the Committee is obligated in fact, to affiliate the first group to request it properly, then I would like to thank you, on behalf of the Membership of Granite State Libertarians, for accepting our petition for affiliation, since only one petition was submitted with with actual signatures, and the same petition was also the only one to include a set of bylaws that properly adopts the statement of principles of the Libertarian Party as its own.

But setting aside that absurd reading of the bylaws, let us also consider that Mr Martin’s understanding of the bylaws, is at least as strong (or not) as his understanding of New Hampshire Law. He asserts that the GSLP Bylaws membership structure would be incompatible with the National Bylaws, yet fails to cite a chapter or verse in his scriptures, and blatantly forgets that the only mention of such in the national bylaws pertains to the autonomy of the affiliate to govern its own internal affairs. Mr Martin also asserted that he believed this membership structure to be in violation of the law, due to problems he failed to articulate. But it is curious he would suggest such, because the inspiration for the system was actually the NH GOP that LPNH’s proposed Vice Chair, Mr. Pratt, is so fond of publicly endorsing and supporting in his hypothetical role as an affiliate chair. In particular, the Manchester New Hampshire GOP Committee extends general membership to anyone who registers to vote as a Republican, and declares themselves to be so. But they don’t let them vote… in fact, voting membership in the Manchester GOP Committee is restricted to those who pass an arbitrary meritocratic bar, as established by the executive committee on an ad hoc, individual, and rolling basis, judged on their attendance and performance in activities in support of the party over the past calendar year.

By providing a more broad scope template of membership than even the GOP in our fair state, GSLP is opening the doors for individuals who are liberty curious to get involved, show up, participate, and learn about us, while letting us get to know them as well. As some of our friends in the bible belt may say, you can bring the only fans girl to church, but don’t let her give a sermon on the first day!

Now, Mr Martin was not the only one to voice these concerns, as Ms Hogarth also relayed a concern from the Region 5 state chairs, in regards to the perceived fairness of the membership structure proposed. To that, I need simply point out, this membership structure would not even be the most restrictive, or complicated, when compared to existing State Affiliates. Several of which require members to go through escalating levels of activist involvement, earned positions in county leadership, and lengthier seasoning requirements before being eligible to serve on their state boards. And lets not overlook the proposed bylaws changes being considered at the upcoming special business convention of LP Hawaii, which would give the incumbent State Leadership (Mr. Martin and his Partner for all intents and purposes) the right to demand an interview with any candidate seeking to challenge them for internal office, and to declare them unfit based on the results of that interview. I’m not even joking, they renamed the section “Anti Infiltration” in their proposed new bylaws, the report is right on their website. So if trying to emulate a successful major party in structure and efficiency is bad, I can’t imagine how bad a new chair for life is going to be for the stagnation of the Libertarian Party of Hawaii.

Now, all this being said, I’m not on the board of either organization seeking affiliation, but I am a member of one. In fact, I’m a member of the only one that provided any notice for a convention of its members to adopt bylaws and elect officers, and the only one whose members did the work to petition a Libertarian Candidate onto the ballot in New Hampshire, in both 2024 and 2026. I would hope my intent is clear at this point, that I’m urging you to vote to affiliate the GSLP, under the leadership of Ms Danner and Mr Nelson, but as it stands, you have 3 options to choose from at the next meeting.

1. You can affiliate GSLP, whose members are longtime activists and supporters of the LP, including many lifetime members, elected officials past and present, multiple former LNC members, and Party Stalwarts that have been involved since the early 1970s. This group has time and again, proven that they intend to do the work required, to run candidates, promote libertarianism, and work diligently against the cult of the omnipotent state.

2. You can affiliate with LPNH, the same organization that you disaffiliated only a few months ago. The same group, the same people, the same mentality, and the same outcomes, and even the same name. An organization whose proposed Vice Chair actively speaks out against running LP Candidates, actively supports and endorses republicans, and time and again has shown nothing but contempt for this body, and this organization. Furthermore, while absent signatories to a petition, those who italicized their names on the document submitted include a NH GOP State Senate Candidate, a NH GOP State Convention Delegate (an actual elected position in NH, it’s quite unique), Two of the board members who DID vote for the infamous endorsement of Donald Trump, and a motley crew of twitter addicts who think screaming racial slurs into the aether counts as political activism.

3. You choose to affiliate neither group. This is an option, although not one reflected as a possible outcome in The Chair’s notice of motions for the upcoming meeting. However, doing this has consequences. If neither group is affiliated, then LPNH continues to use the party branding, logos, and name, while causing immeasurable reputational damage, and hurting the perception of Libertarians all over the country. However, GSLP, will continue to engage in the mission for which it was formed, to run Libertarian Candidates, Support Libertarian Policies and outcomes, and continue to fight for nothing less than a world set free in our lifetimes.

I do hope you all consider the gravity of the decision before you carefully before the upcoming meeting. Beyond the previously stated outcomes and consequences, the decision made in this matter, will likely inform the political temperature of the party moving forward for the next 2 years, coming due in El Paso.

On a personal note, please for the love of whatever gods you pray to, please schedule this order of business early enough in the meeting that interested parties can participate in at a reasonable hour.
Also, feel absolutely free to forward this entire thing to the Public List.

Yours in Liberty,
Justin O’Donnell
Lifetime Member, Libertarian Party
Lifetime Member The Affiliate Formerly Known as LPNH
Soon to be Lifetime Member, GSLP
Former LNC Regional Representative
Former LNC Platform Committee Member
2020 Candidate for US Senate (NH)
2018 Candidate for US Congress (NH-2), Winner of contested Primary with 74.6% of the vote
2022 Campaign Manager for a regrettable NH US Senate Candidate
2024 NH Ballot Access Petition Manager for Oliver-terMaat and Stephen Villee (L)
2026 NH Ballot Access Petition Manager for Stephen Villee for Governor (L)
2026 NH Ballot Access Petition Manager for Aaron Day for US Senate (I)​