Thompson vs. McMahon on LNC Public re: LPNM

We quote the exchange from LNC-PUBLIC

Keith Thompson <keith.thompson@lp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Subject: New Mexico Questions

Good afternoon,

I’m hoping to get clarification on a few items regarding the LPNM:

Does the injunction, while in effect, prevent them from running candidates? My understanding is that their ballot drive must be completed in July – is that correct?

If the injunction isn’t lifted before then, would this hamper their ballot access chances for 2028?

If we enter into mediation, court-ordered or otherwise, what is it that we hope to get that the LPNM was not previously willing to offer?

To what extent can we reach out, and how have we reached out this term?

I think both sides want to get our affiliate back, however that has to happen.

The LPNM has ~14k members; they have funds (at least presently); they have name recognition; they have Gary friggin’ Johnson; they have candidates and a history of running them. That’s a lot of value, and if they’re willing to come home, I would love to welcome them back.

So what are the sticking points here, and what is the most unburdened way we can reach out to find compromise and a path forward?

I do not want us to be stuck in a holding pattern where our demands are unknown and we simply press forward with legal action, having no publicly-known end game.

If the goal is to destroy the Libertarian Party of New Mexico, and I hope it’s not, then that’s one thing.

But if the goal is to get our historic affiliate back home, let them turn their resources to a libertarian future and not legal defense, and reconcile our past issues, then I believe we need to change directions. At the very least, we need better communication of the base issues in play.

What do we want?
What can we do outside of legal action?
Can we, as board members, reach out?

I, and others here, have a relationship with Chris Luchini and his counsel – are we permitted to reach out and try to find a path forward?

With the law, comes red tape – and I don’t know the limits of what we can do. But I don’t want our organization so paralized by procedure that we sue those willing to come back, fighting against an organization that should rightfully be fighting alongside us.

At the very least, should we not bare plain the wishes of our body, so no more legal hours are consumed than are necessary – especially if candidate deadlines are quickly approaching?

I’m not saying there have been no past mistakes from either faction, and I don’t want this to devolve into rehashing the reasons for their disaffiliation, the wisdom of it, which side is right, or various alleged behaviors. We need a way forward – together.

I don’t think any of us want our Party or theirs to spend more on legal action than is needed, or to drag this our longer than we must.

I believe both sides want a way out.
Let’s find it.

In Liberty, Keith Thompson

From: Evan McMahon <evan.mcmahon@lp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 Re: New Mexico Questions

Mr. Thompson,

This is a confidential legal matter and is not for the public list.

In Liberty,
Evan