Geoff Neale

Geoff Neale
Chairman of the Libertarian National Committee
In office 2002–2004
Preceded by	Jim Lark
Succeeded by	Michael Dixon
In office May 2012 – June 2014
Preceded by	Mark Hinkle
Succeeded by	Nicholas Sarwark
Libertarian Party of Texas State Chair
In office 1998–2002
Preceded by	Jay Manifold
Succeeded by	David DeLamar
Personal details
Political party	Libertarian

Geoffrey J. Neale is the former chair of the Libertarian National Committee (LNC), the executive body of the Libertarian Party of the United States. He served two non-consecutive terms in that position. Neale's first term as LNC chair extended from 2002^[1] to 2004. During the beginning of that first term he served for nine months unpaid in order to help the party financially.^[2] He served his second term from 2012 to 2014.

In 2006 Neale was elected Treasurer of the Libertarian National Committee.^[3] In January 2007 he resigned that position and was replaced by Aaron Starr.^[4] Neale later stated that he had resigned as Treasurer because the committee had passed, over his objections, a budget that was unbalanced by $500,000.^[5]

The 2012 Libertarian National Convention, held May 2–6, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada, saw a two-day election of officers and members-at-large of the Libertarian National Committee officers leading to the defeat of most of the incumbents who were seen as being part of a "top-down faction".^[6][7] The voting for chair saw the first instance where "None of the Above", which was listed as a choice on the party ballot, received more votes than any of the candidates for chair. After a new list of individuals was nominated, Neale was elected chair.^[8][9]

At the 2014 Libertarian National Convention in Columbus, Ohio, Neale was defeated by Nicholas Sarwark in his bid for re-election as LNC chair.^[10] However, Neale was appointed to help with the creation of the International Alliance of Libertarian Parties. The alliance officially formed on March 6, 2016.^[11]

References

1. Libertarian Party Still Small, Consistent, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 8, 2002.
2. Geoff Neale's nomination speech for LNC chair at Reason magazine writer Garrett Quinn's YouTube page at 1 minute.
3. Minutes from the 2006 Libertarian National Convention, held July 1–2 in Portland, Oregon, from Libertarian National Committee meeting archives web page.
4. Libertarian National Committee then-Vice Chair Chuck Moulton's attendance notes, no minutes of that meeting being available at the Libertarian National Committee meeting archives web page.
5. Geoff Neale's nomination speech for LNC chair at Garrett Quinn's YouTube page at 1 minute and 40 seconds.
6. Garrett Quinn,Gary Johnson: The LNC Chair Race is Exciting! Interesting!, Reason.com, May 6, 2012
7. Garret Quinn, Starchild Is Here, Reason.com, May 6, 2012.
8. Garret Quinn, Geoff Neale is the new LNC Chairman, Reason.com, May 6, 2012.
9. Libertarian Party Takes Two Days to Choose Party Officers, Ballot Access News, May 6, 2012.
10. "Nicholas Sarwark elected to lead Libertarian Party". Hammeroftruth.com. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
11. "Libertarian Party World Alliance Underway". February 21, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2016.

External links

• Appearances on C-SPAN