Caryn Ann Harlos
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Caryn Ann Harlos | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Secretary of the Libertarian National Committee | |
| In office 2018 – 2021; 2022–2025 | |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Libertarian |
| Spouse | Wayne Harlos |
| Residence(s) | Castle Rock, Colorado |
| Profession | Paralegal, Parliamentarian |
Caryn Ann Harlos is an American Libertarian Party activist and politician who served as Secretary of the Libertarian National Committee (LNC) from 2018 to 2021 and again from 2022 until her resignation in 2025.[1] She held multiple national leadership roles in the Libertarian Party, including chair of the Platform Committee and Bylaws and Rules Committee.[2] Harlos was also involved in internal party controversies, including legal disputes with other leaders and a well-known intervention in the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire (LPNH) leadership crisis.[3]
Recognition and media coverage
[edit]Harlos has been the subject of sustained independent media coverage for her influential and often controversial role in Libertarian Party politics. In 2024, Colorado Public Radio profiled her involvement in a dispute between the national Libertarian Party and its Colorado affiliate, highlighting her procedural knowledge and confrontational style. “Harlos, a former paralegal turned party firebrand, described herself as the Libertarian Party’s ‘honey badger’: aggressive, unrelenting, and committed to procedural orthodoxy,” the article noted, emphasizing her significance in shaping party outcomes.[4]
In addition, Harlos has been prominently featured in national libertarian-aligned outlets such as Reason magazine, which covered both her legal actions against Libertarian National Committee Chair Angela McArdle and her central role in broader ideological shifts within the party.[1][4]
Early activism and state-level involvement
[edit]Harlos began her political activism in Colorado, where she served as communications director for the Libertarian Party of Colorado and was elected to the LNC as Region 1 representative. She was also the Libertarian nominee for Colorado House of Representatives District 45 in 2020.[5]
National Libertarian Party roles
[edit]Secretary of the LNC
[edit]Harlos was elected Secretary of the Libertarian National Committee in 2018 and re-elected in 2020 and 2022. As Secretary, she maintained official party records and was widely recognized for her command of parliamentary procedure and party bylaws. Her tenure was marked by procedural rigor, frequent appeals, and controversial interventions in disputes within the party.
Committee leadership
[edit]She chaired the national Platform Committee in 2022 and the Bylaws and Rules Committee in 2024. In these roles, she oversaw major revisions to party rules and policy positions.[2]
Controversies
[edit]Colorado ballot conflict
[edit]In July 2024, the Libertarian Party of Colorado attempted to place Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the state ballot as the Libertarian presidential nominee. Harlos filed paperwork to secure the official nominee, Chase Oliver, on the ballot, overriding the affiliate.[6] This act led to internal charges against her and a temporary suspension by the LNC.
Lawsuit against Angela McArdle
[edit]In October 2024, Harlos filed a lawsuit in D.C. Superior Court against LNC Chair Angela McArdle, alleging breaches of fiduciary duty, misuse of party resources, and promotion of non-Libertarian candidates.[7]
Reinstatement by Judicial Committee
[edit]After her suspension by the LNC, the party's Judicial Committee ruled in December 2024 that the suspension was null and void, reinstating Harlos to her position.[8][9]
Resignation in 2025
[edit]On June 30, 2025, Harlos resigned from the LNC, citing dysfunction, retaliation, and leadership disputes.[10]
Defense of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire
[edit]In 2021, Harlos played a significant role in defending the autonomy of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire after then-chair Jilletta Jarvis attempted to file with the New Hampshire Secretary of State to transfer party assets and recognition to a newly created organization without LPNH member approval. Harlos, in her capacity as LNC Secretary, publicly documented the procedural irregularities and advocated for recognition of the legitimately elected LPNH leadership. Her actions helped thwart the attempted takeover and were upheld by a majority of the LNC.[11] [12]
Caryn Ann Harlos later delivered remarks about her experience defending LPNH from disaffiliation at the 2022 Libertarian Party of New Hampshire Convention held January 29-30, 2022 in Manchester, NH, where she spoke in her capacity as the convention’s parliamentarian and special guest speaker.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Fisher, Varney (2024-10-10). "Libertarian Party Secretary Files Lawsuit to Remove Party Chair Angela McArdle". Reason. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ^ a b LPedia. "Caryn Ann Harlos". LPedia. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ^ Doherty, Brian (2021-06-23). "Inside the Battle Over the Soul of the Libertarian Party". Reason. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ^ a b Brown, Bente Birkeland (2024-07-10). "Libertarian National Committee Overrides State Party to Place Presidential Candidate on Colorado Ballot". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
- ^ "Caryn Ann Harlos – 2020 General Election Results". Colorado Secretary of State – Historical Election Data. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ^ Ballot Access News (2024-07-10). "Libertarian National Committee Officers Overrule Colorado Affiliate, File Presidential Candidates". Ballot Access News. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ^ Fisher, Varney (2024-10-10). "Libertarian Party Secretary Files Lawsuit to Remove Party Chair Angela McArdle". Reason. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ^ "Tarnoff, Kinsella, Stratton Opinion – Harlos v. LNC" (PDF). LPedia. 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ^ Dempsey, Sean (2022-05-12). "Exile and Restitution of Caryn‑Ann Harlos—and What it Symbolizes for the Party". The Opposition. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ^ Evans, Jordan Willow (June 30, 2025). "Libertarian National Secretary Harlos Resigns from Board and Subcommittees". Independent Political Report. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
- ^ Timmins, Annmarie (2021-06-22). "The unraveling of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire". New Hampshire Bulletin. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ^ Dempsey, Sean (2021-06-16). "LPNH Coup Timeline – Important Letters & Artifacts". The Opposition. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ^ Caryn Ann Harlos' Speech from LPNH 2022 Convention. YouTube. Jan 31, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2025.