Angela McArdle

Last updated
Angela McArdle
Angela McArdle in May 2022.png
McArdle in 2022
22nd Chair of the Libertarian National Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 28, 2022
Education Biola University (BA)
University of California, Los Angeles (CP)

Angela Elise McArdle (born June 7, 1983) is an American politician from Texas and California who was elected on May 28, 2022 as the 22nd and current chair of the Libertarian National Committee. She was also the Secretary of the Libertarian Party of California from April 2018 to April 2019, [1] [2] and was a board member of the Mises Caucus. [3]

Contents

Early life and education

McArdle has worked as a paralegal and legal aide for over eleven years. She currently works in litigation and also has a private practice where she provides self help legal services to low income clients. The bulk of McArdle's practices focus on real estate and constitutional law. [6] [ self-published source? ]

McArdle received her Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Leadership from Biola University in 2009 and a Paralegal Certificate from UCLA Extension in 2013. She is also trained as a craniosacral therapist through the Upledger Institute. [6] [ self-published source? ]

Career

McArdle was the Libertarian nominee in the 2017 California's 34th congressional district special election. [7] She finished the primary in 17th place out of a field of 22 candidates with 0.8%. [8] McArdle ran again for the seat in 2018, and finished in 3rd place in a field of 3 candidates with 8.4%. [9]

In 2021 and 2022, McArdle was a candidate for Chair of the Libertarian National Committee. [10] She was endorsed by the Mises Caucus, of which she was also a board member. [11] [3] She was elected to the position at the 2022 Libertarian National Convention on May 28. [12] [13] After stating she would not rescind her motion, and intends to appeal any blockage by McArdle, McArdle threatened to remove Harlos from office and strip her of party membership, despite not having the authority to do so. [14]

At Porcfest 2021, an annual libertarian festival held in New Hampshire, Executive Director of the Free State Project, Jeremy Kauffman and McArdle debated which strategy is more effective, the libertarian party strategy or the free state movement strategy. [15] Kauffman argued that, "There are more people in this room that are elected members to the NH House of Representatives and former members of the Libertarian Party than there are Libertarian Party members nationwide." [15] McArdle then counter-argued that while she wants to see the Free State Project succeed, it is her contention that the Free State Project could not have existed without the political infrastructure provided by the LP developed over the course of five decades. [15]

LNC Chair

McArdle at the 2022 Libertarian National Convention Libertarian National Convention 2022 - Stephan Kinsella and Angela McArdle.jpg
McArdle at the 2022 Libertarian National Convention
McArdle at the Rage Against the War Machine Rally in 2023 Angela McArdle at the Rage Against the War Machine rally.jpg
McArdle at the Rage Against the War Machine Rally in 2023
Kash Patel, Angela McArdle, Clint Russell, and Bret Weinstein at FreedomFest 2024 Kash Patel, Angela McArdle, Clint Russell & Bret Weinstein (53859036352).jpg
Kash Patel, Angela McArdle, Clint Russell, and Bret Weinstein at FreedomFest 2024

On December 3, 2022, McArdle became the first known National Chair in the United States who has given birth during her tenure. [16]

McArdle was openly critical of Joe Exotic's short-lived campaign in the 2024 Libertarian Party presidential primaries. [17]

In February 2023, McArdle spoke at the Rage Against the War Machine Rally, co-hosted with the People’s Party, where she called on a cut to all aid to Ukraine, and for Ukraine to surrender all of its Russian-occupied territories. [18] In June, McArdle also wrote an op-ed for Newsweek arguing that Russian forces were not committing a genocide in Ukraine. [19]

"Joint fundraiser" dispute

In mid-July 2024, McArdle entered a heated dispute with Caryn Ann Harlos, the National Secretary of the Libertarian Party, due to McArdle approving a "joint fundraiser" with RFK Jr.'s campaign. [20] Harlos argued that the vote to approve the joint fundraiser did not pass the threshold specified in LP bylaws, and that by forcing it through regardless McArdle violated even more bylaws and exceeded her power as chairwoman. [20] Harlos then petitioned the Libertarian Party's judicial committee, with the signatures of 188 of the 2024 delegates, arguing that McArdle violated bylaws Articles 2, [lower-alpha 1] 3.1, [lower-alpha 2] 14.1, [lower-alpha 3] 14.3, [lower-alpha 4] and 14.4. [lower-alpha 5] [20] Harlos additionally argued that efforts by the Colorado Libertarian Party to name RFK Jr. as their nominee instead of the nominated Libertarian candidate, Chase Oliver, as proof McArdle is working with the RFK campaign against the libertarian party's own candidate. [20] Todd Hagopian, the former party treasurer, also filed an amicus brief in support of Harlos arguing that McArdle's cooperation with the RFK campaign is sabotaging Chase Oliver's campaign. [22] Hagopian also argued that McArdle illegally made the meeting to approve the RFK fundraiser as an "emergency" meeting to bypass receiving the required number of votes of libertarian delegates. [22]

Harlos would then move to put the fundraiser on hold until the Judicial Committee reaches a verdict, with McArdle quickly blocking the motion, stating that Harlos was "dilatory and out of order." [23] Harlos responded saying that her motion wasn't dilatory, since it would only hold the fundraiser's approval if the vote passes, to which McArdle again called Harlos as "dilatory and unprofessional" and asked her to rescind her judicial case and her motion to delay. [23] On July 20 the LNC executive met for a vote on blocking the fundraiser with the Executive Committee voted 6 in favor and 11 against, meaning that the joint fundraiser would go through. [24] Later that day, RFK Jr. announced on twitter that his campaign has signed the joint fundraiser, and that it was now in effect. [25] On July 27, Harlos sued the Colorado affiliate, and their chairwoman Hannah Goodman, for their support of RFK Jr. in response McArdle called an emergency session of the Executive Committee on July 30. [26] This meeting opened with McArdle attempting to transition the meeting to an executive session, so that McArdle would have more power over votes, in a 3-3 tie this motion failed. [27] McArdle began by arguing that the LNC cannot indemnify Harlos due to her lawsuit and for acting outside "your bylaws-mandated duties" due to being in conflict with the LNC as such she should be removed from her position. [27] In response Harlos stated she was not in conflict with the LNC, only the Colorado affiliate, and as such the executive committee had no means to remove her and as such no motion to remove was put forward. [27]

On July 31 Harlos' appeal to the judicial committee took place reviewing if McArdle violated the aforementioned by-laws. [28] During which committee chairman, Blay Tarnoff, ruled that article 2 was "a preparation, not a strict bylaw", however, also stated that the joint fundraiser was improper and asked why the LNC rushed to vote through a motion they had never seen, to which McArdle responded "We were in a hurry." [28] Tarnoff closed the meeting by stating that the LNC should withdraw from the agreement. [28]

Electoral history

California's 34th congressional district special primary, 2017 [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jimmy Gomez 10,728 25.5
Democratic Robert Lee Ahn 9,415 22.2
Democratic Maria Cabildo4,25910.1
Democratic Sara Hernandez2,3585.6
Democratic Arturo Carmona2,2055.2
Democratic Wendy Carrillo 2,1955.2
Green Kenneth Mejia 1,9644.6
Democratic Yolie Flores1,3683.2
Republican William Morrison1,3603.2
Democratic Tracy Van Houten1,0422.5
Democratic Alejandra Campoverdi 1,0012.4
Democratic Vanessa Aramayo8532.0
Democratic Sandra Mendoza6741.6
Democratic Steven Mac6631.6
Democratic Raymond Meza5091.2
No party preference Mark Edward Padilla4271.0
Democratic Ricardo De La Fuente 3310.8
Libertarian Angela McArdle3190.7
Democratic Adrienne Nicole Edwards1820.4
Democratic Richard Joseph Sullivan1550.4
Democratic Armando Sotomayor1180.3
Democratic Tenaya Wallace1030.2
Democratic Melissa "Sharkie" Garza790.2
Democratic Michelle Walker (write-in)0nil
Total votes42,308 100
California's 34th congressional district election, 2018 [9]
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jimmy Gomez (incumbent)54,66178.7
Green Kenneth Mejia 8,98712.9
Libertarian Angela Elise McArdle5,8048.4
2022 Libertarian National Committee chair election [12]
CandidateFirst Ballot%
Angela McArdle 692 69.6
Steve Dasbach15115.2
Tony D'Orazio10310.4
NOTA 474.7
Adam Kokesh (write-in)1nil
Tiffany Deleon (write-in)1nil
Totals995100%

Notes

  1. ↑ The Party is organized to implement and give voice to the principles embodied in the Statement of Principles by: 1. functioning as a libertarian political entity separate and distinct from all other political parties or movements; 2. electing Libertarians to public office to move public policy in a libertarian direction; 3. chartering affiliate parties throughout the United States and promoting their growth and activities; 4. nominating candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States, and supporting Party and affiliate party candidates for political office; and 5. entering into public information activities. [21]
  2. ↑ The Statement of Principles affirms that philosophy upon which the Libertarian Party is founded, by which it shall be sustained, and through which liberty shall prevail. The enduring importance of the Statement of Principles requires that it may be amended only by a vote of 7/8 of all registered delegates at a regular convention. [21]
  3. ↑ Nominations of candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States may be made only at the regular convention immediately preceding a Presidential election. [21]
  4. ↑ In the event of the death, resignation, disqualification, or suspension of the nomination of the Party's nominee for President, the Vice-Presidential nominee shall become the Presidential nominee. Two-thirds of the entire membership of the National Committee may, at a meeting, fill a Vice-Presidential vacancy, and, if necessary, a simultaneous Presidential vacancy. [21]
  5. ↑ The National Committee shall respect the vote of the delegates at nominating conventions and provide full support for the Party’s nominee for President and nominee for Vice-President as long as their campaigns are conducted in accordance with the platform of the Party. [21]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Libertarian Party of California 2018 Convention Minutes" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-07-21. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  2. 1 2 "Libertarian Party of California 2019 Convention Minutes" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-05-28.
  3. 1 2 3 "Meet The Team – Libertarian Party Mises Caucus". 2022-04-25. Archived from the original on 25 April 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-10.
  4. ↑ What's Next for the Libertarian Party After Jo Jorgensen Got 1%?, 8 November 2020, retrieved 2022-05-23
  5. 1 2 McArdle, Angela [@angela4LNCChair] (December 31, 2022). "In 2022, I got elected as chair of the 3rd largest political party in the USA, got pregnant, got engaged, moved back to Texas & had a baby" (Tweet). Retrieved December 31, 2022– via Twitter.
  6. 1 2 "About McArdle". 17 May 2016.
  7. ↑ Pyeatt, Jill (2017-02-02). "California Libertarian Angela McArdle Files To Run For Congress In Special Election". Independent Political Report. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  8. 1 2 "Final Official Election Results – Congressional District 34 :: California Secretary of State". www.sos.ca.gov. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  9. 1 2 "2018 California primary election results" (PDF). Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  10. ↑ Buchman, Joseph (2021-11-17). "Angela McArdle, AMA (tonight or tomorrow?), Campaign for LNC Chair Update". Independent Political Report. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  11. ↑ "You probably know @angela4LNCChair has a plan, a vision, and an insane work ethic. But you might not know that she is an effective leader because she brings out the best in her team. We fully endorse Angela to lead and bring out the best in the many leaders of the LP. #RenoReset". Twitter. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  12. 1 2 2022 Libertarian National Convention 5.28.2022, 28 May 2022, retrieved 2022-05-28
  13. ↑ "Mises Caucus Takes Control of Libertarian Party". Reason.com. 2022-05-29. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  14. ↑ Phillies, George. "McArdle Blasts Harlos". Third Party Watch. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  15. 1 2 3 "Is the Free State Project a Better Idea than the Libertarian Party?". July 30, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Libertarian National Chair Gives Birth to a Healthy Baby Boy | Ballot Access News". 30 December 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  17. ↑ Teh, Cheryl (21 March 2023). "Joe Exotic is running a long-shot 2024 campaign for president, all while serving 21 years in prison for his role in a murder-for-hire plot". Business Insider . Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  18. ↑ "Libertarian Leak: Extremist Ties, Anti-LGBTQ+ Remarks, GOP Collaboration". Southern Poverty Law Center . Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  19. ↑ McArdle, Angela (June 21, 2023). "No, Russia Is Not Committing Genocide in Ukraine | Opinion". Newsweek . Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  20. 1 2 3 4 Phillies, George. "Harlos Appeal Received by LP Judicial Committee". Third Party Watch. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 "Bylaws and Convention Rules". lp.org. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  22. 1 2 Phillies, George. "Hagopian Files Amicus Brief in Support of Harlos". Third Party Watch. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  23. 1 2 Phillies, George. "McArdle Blocks Harlos Motion". Third Party Watch. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  24. ↑ Phillies, George. "LNC Motion Against Funding RFK Fails". Third Party Watch. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  25. ↑ Phillies, George. "Kennedy Claims RFK-LP Joint Fundraising Deal Signed". Third Party Watch. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  26. ↑ Phillies, George. "Special ExComm Meeting Because Harlos Sues LP Colorado". Third Party Watch. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  27. 1 2 3 Phillies, George. "LNC ExComm Liveblog 7/30/2024". Third Party Watch. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  28. 1 2 3 Phillies, George. "LNC Judicial Committee Hearing 7/31/2024". Third Party Watch. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
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