It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Len Morlock, on Monday, August 26, 2024, at the age of 52. Len served as Chair of the Chautauqua County Libertarian Party since 2022 and a member of the State Committee since 2021. Len was a pillar of the local liberty community in Chautauqua County and an unwavering advocate for freedom and libertarian principles.
Len became a Libertarian in 2000 and had been a long-time supporter of the liberty movement before becoming actively involved with the party. In August 2015, he attended the second-ever meeting of the Chautauqua County Libertarian Party (CCLP) as it was in the process of organizing. Though he didn’t seek a formal role when the CCLP was officially chartered in October 2015, Len quickly became an essential part of the local party.
Throughout his involvement, he played a key role in supporting candidates, promoting our cause, and championing libertarian principles. His presence at the county fair booth, organizing of CCLP picnics in Mayville, and his countless conversations sparked by his signature liberty-themed t-shirts left a lasting impact on everyone he encountered. Len was dedicated to advancing our party and the broader liberty movement, both within our community and beyond.
In 2017, Len was elected Vice-Chair of the CCLP, a role he held until 2022. In 2020, Len was among those who made history as a candidate in New York State’s first Libertarian Party primary when running for State Committee to represent Judicial District 8. Although he wasn’t initially elected, his dedication led him to fill a vacancy in January 2021. He served on the State Committee and was re-elected in 2022 and 2024, with plans to take office for a third term in September 2024. In October 2022, Len was elected Chair of the Chautauqua County Libertarian Party, a role he held until his passing. Len was a Delegate to the Libertarian National Conventions in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024 and also served as a Presidential/Vice Presidential Elector for Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen in 2020.
Len was a regular attendee at PorcFest, where he enjoyed camping and connecting with fellow liberty-minded individuals. He was an avid listener of liberty podcasts, always staying informed on current political events and developments within the liberty movement, and often shared new ideas to advance liberty. Len was always willing to express a well-thought-out opinion on almost any subject. Whether or not one fully agreed with him, his opinion was always worth knowing. He enjoyed kayaking on Chautauqua Lake and was always ready to promote liberty to anyone he met while doing so. More recently, he was working to promote Freedom Cells and build the liberty community through the establishment of “Liberty on Tap” meet-ups.
Len was committed to building a strong libertarian community. He was always willing to have a conversation about liberty, and fostering a sense of unity within our movement was his true passion. Len’s loss is deeply felt by the Chautauqua County Libertarian Party, the Libertarian Party of New York, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His passion for liberty and his tireless work for our cause will be remembered always.