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'''Alex Merced''' (born June 30, 1985) is an American author, blogger, marketing consultant, financial industry corporate trainer and Libertarian pundit. Merced runs a [http://www.youtube.com/alexmerced YouTube channel] where he discusses [[Libertarianism|Libertarian]] ideas such as [[Civil liberties|individual liberty]] and [[free market]]s. Alex Merced is also the founder of online commentary website, [http://www.LibertarianWingMedia.com LibertarianWingMedia.com]. He ran for [[New York | '''Alex Merced''' (born June 30, 1985) is an American author, blogger, marketing consultant, financial industry corporate trainer and Libertarian pundit. Merced runs a [http://www.youtube.com/alexmerced YouTube channel] where he discusses [[Libertarianism|Libertarian]] ideas such as [[Civil liberties|individual liberty]] and [[free market]]s. Alex Merced is also the founder of online commentary website, [http://www.LibertarianWingMedia.com LibertarianWingMedia.com]. He ran for [[Public Advocate]] of [[Libertarian Party of New York|New York City]] in [[2013]], getting 10,400 votes. He ran for [[US Senate]] from [[Libertarian Party of New York|New York]] in 2016 where he got 48,036 votes. Alex Merced also ran for NYC Comptroller in [[2017]] getting 5810 votes. In 2018 he was the Policy Director or the Larry Sharpe for New York Campaign. He was Vice-Chair of the Libertarian National Committee from 2018 to 2020 and presided over the second sitting on the 2020 National Convention. | ||
== Early | ==Early Life== | ||
Alex Merced was born in [[Hartford, Connecticut]] in 1985. His mother is from [[Guatemala]] and his father from [[Puerto Rico]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://alexmercedforny.com/|title=Alex Merced for New York|website=Alex Merced for New York|language=en-US|access-date=2016-10-19}}</ref> | Alex Merced was born in [[Hartford, Connecticut]] in 1985. His mother is from [[Guatemala]] and his father from [[Puerto Rico]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://alexmercedforny.com/|title=Alex Merced for New York|website=Alex Merced for New York|language=en-US|access-date=2016-10-19}}</ref> | ||
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In High School Alex attended [[Howell Cheney Technical High School|Howell Cheney Technical Vocational School]]. During this time he read ''[[Anthem (novella)|Anthem]]'' by [[Ayn Rand]], which Alex "found compelling and always held in the back of his mind as it sparked a deep value for individuality".<ref name=":0" /> | In High School Alex attended [[Howell Cheney Technical High School|Howell Cheney Technical Vocational School]]. During this time he read ''[[Anthem (novella)|Anthem]]'' by [[Ayn Rand]], which Alex "found compelling and always held in the back of his mind as it sparked a deep value for individuality".<ref name=":0" /> | ||
== Career == | ==Career== | ||
Merced is a graduate of | Merced is a graduate of Bowling Green State University in Ohio where he got his B.A. in Popular Culture Studies and minored in Marketing. He was a host for the local college radio station (WBGUFM 88.1FM), he would spend time promoting concerts in the BGSU music scene under the brand, "Fashionably Numb Music". He also owned a hobby retail store called The Gamers’ Lounge, which eventually closed before he graduated. | ||
During a trip to [[Manila]], Merced watched the [[Fox Business News]] debate between [[Rudy Giuliani]] and [[Ron Paul]], which heavily influenced his [[Libertarianism|Libertarian]] views. | During a trip to [[Manila]], Merced watched the [[Fox Business News]] debate between [[Rudy Giuliani]] and [[Ron Paul]], which heavily influenced his [[Libertarianism|Libertarian]] views. | ||
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Also in 2016, Alex Merced started [http://www.LibertarianWingMedia.com LibertarianWingMedia.com] and [http://podcasts.thisliberty.website several podcasts]including the AlexMercedCast, Breaking Progressives (retired), Libertarian Comments, Economics Why Not? (retired), Podcast and Vlogging: Tips & Tricks (retired), Better Today (retired), and The Bitcoin Blockchain Crypto Podcast. Episodes of the retired podcasts can be found at archive.alexmercedpodcast.com | Also in 2016, Alex Merced started [http://www.LibertarianWingMedia.com LibertarianWingMedia.com] and [http://podcasts.thisliberty.website several podcasts]including the AlexMercedCast, Breaking Progressives (retired), Libertarian Comments, Economics Why Not? (retired), Podcast and Vlogging: Tips & Tricks (retired), Better Today (retired), and The Bitcoin Blockchain Crypto Podcast. Episodes of the retired podcasts can be found at archive.alexmercedpodcast.com | ||
== Politics == | ==Politics== | ||
Merced was the 2015 Web Chair of the Brooklyn Libertarian Party<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.brooklynlp.website/officers/|title=Officers|date=2016-02-03|newspaper=Libertarian Party of Brooklyn|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref> and 2015 Co-Media Chair of the Manhattan Libertarian Party.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://manhattanlp.org/about/mlp-officers/|title=MLP Officers - Manhattan Libertarian Party|newspaper=Manhattan Libertarian Party|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref>. Also Merced resumed being the Media Chair of the Manhattan LP in 2018. | Merced was the 2015 Web Chair of the Brooklyn Libertarian Party<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.brooklynlp.website/officers/|title=Officers|date=2016-02-03|newspaper=Libertarian Party of Brooklyn|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref> and 2015 Co-Media Chair of the Manhattan Libertarian Party.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://manhattanlp.org/about/mlp-officers/|title=MLP Officers - Manhattan Libertarian Party|newspaper=Manhattan Libertarian Party|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref>. Also Merced resumed being the Media Chair of the Manhattan LP in 2018. | ||
=== 2013 New York City Public Advocate | ===2013 New York City Public Advocate Election=== | ||
In 2013 Merced ran for [[New York | In 2013 Merced ran for [[Public Advocate]] of [[Libertarian Party of New York|New York City]] in [[2013]], getting 10,400 votes. | ||
=== 2016 Senate | ===2016 Senate Election=== | ||
in 2016, Merced ran for [[United States Senate elections, 2016|Senator of New York]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/11/07/schumer-long-ny-senate-race/93413318/|title=Schumer, Long square off in Senate election|newspaper=lohud.com|access-date=2016-11-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://wxxinews.org/post/congressional-candidate-john-plumb-us-senate-candidate-alex-merced|title=Congressional Candidate John Plumb; U.S. Senate Candidate Alex Merced|last=Dawson|first=Evan|access-date=2016-10-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lp.org/candidates/liberty-candidates-16/alex-merced-0|title=Alex Merced|newspaper=Libertarian Party|access-date=2016-10-19}}</ref> in order to unseat incumbent [[Chuck Schumer]]. “And neither of the two candidates in the senate race ([[Chuck Schumer|Schumer]] and [[Wendy Long|Long]]), or neither of the major presidential candidates, [[Donald Trump|Trump]] and [[Hillary Clinton|Clinton]]…have talked seriously, in a productive way about the drug war or foreign intervention abroad in a way that would save lives. I tell people , ‘a vote for [[Libertarian Party (United States)|libertarian]] is not just a vote against two major parties, it’s a vote for life and death. You’re voting for the only party seriously talking about policy interventions that would save actual lives.” says Merced.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://waer.org/post/libertarian-merced-ready-challenge-schumer-us-senate-seat|title=Libertarian Merced Ready to Challenge Schumer for US Senate Seat|last=Sukert|first=Chris Bolt, Elana|access-date=2017-02-23|language=en}}</ref> | in 2016, Merced ran for [[United States Senate elections, 2016|Senator of New York]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/11/07/schumer-long-ny-senate-race/93413318/|title=Schumer, Long square off in Senate election|newspaper=lohud.com|access-date=2016-11-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://wxxinews.org/post/congressional-candidate-john-plumb-us-senate-candidate-alex-merced|title=Congressional Candidate John Plumb; U.S. Senate Candidate Alex Merced|last=Dawson|first=Evan|access-date=2016-10-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lp.org/candidates/liberty-candidates-16/alex-merced-0|title=Alex Merced|newspaper=Libertarian Party|access-date=2016-10-19}}</ref> in order to unseat incumbent [[Chuck Schumer]]. “And neither of the two candidates in the senate race ([[Chuck Schumer|Schumer]] and [[Wendy Long|Long]]), or neither of the major presidential candidates, [[Donald Trump|Trump]] and [[Hillary Clinton|Clinton]]…have talked seriously, in a productive way about the drug war or foreign intervention abroad in a way that would save lives. I tell people , ‘a vote for [[Libertarian Party (United States)|libertarian]] is not just a vote against two major parties, it’s a vote for life and death. You’re voting for the only party seriously talking about policy interventions that would save actual lives.” says Merced.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://waer.org/post/libertarian-merced-ready-challenge-schumer-us-senate-seat|title=Libertarian Merced Ready to Challenge Schumer for US Senate Seat|last=Sukert|first=Chris Bolt, Elana|access-date=2017-02-23|language=en}}</ref> | ||
His platform involved lowering regulations, a 20% [[flat tax]] on income with an age based [[tax credit]], rainy day saving accounts to replace IRA/HSA/Coverdell accounts, ending the [[War on Drugs|war on drugs]], and rolling back [[regime change]] in foreign countries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://politics.news12.com/voters-guide/long-island/guide/nov-8-2016-general-election/candidate/alex-merced|title=Alex Merced {{!}} Nov. 8, 2016 - General Election Voter Guide|newspaper=News 12|access-date=2017-02-23|language=en}}</ref> He was endorsed by 2016 Libertarian nominee [[Gary Johnson]], runner up Austin Petersen, Will Coley, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiMzQ_rX-_I Vermin Supreme, Founder of Everything Transgendered Jennifer Louise Lopez] and four republican Candidates for New York State Assembly.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://alexmercedforny.com/endorsements/|title=Endorsements|date=2016-07-20|newspaper=Alex Merced for New York|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-08}}</ref>. In the 2016 election Alex Merced got over 48,000 votes. | His platform involved lowering regulations, a 20% [[flat tax]] on income with an age based [[tax credit]], rainy day saving accounts to replace IRA/HSA/Coverdell accounts, ending the [[War on Drugs|war on drugs]], and rolling back [[regime change]] in foreign countries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://politics.news12.com/voters-guide/long-island/guide/nov-8-2016-general-election/candidate/alex-merced|title=Alex Merced {{!}} Nov. 8, 2016 - General Election Voter Guide|newspaper=News 12|access-date=2017-02-23|language=en}}</ref> He was endorsed by 2016 Libertarian nominee [[Gary Johnson]], runner up Austin Petersen, Will Coley, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiMzQ_rX-_I Vermin Supreme, Founder of Everything Transgendered Jennifer Louise Lopez] and four republican Candidates for New York State Assembly.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://alexmercedforny.com/endorsements/|title=Endorsements|date=2016-07-20|newspaper=Alex Merced for New York|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-08}}</ref>. In the 2016 election Alex Merced got over 48,000 votes. | ||
=== 2017 New York City Comptroller Election === | ===2017 New York City Comptroller Election=== | ||
in 2017, Merced is ran for NYC Comptroller campaigning mainly on the comptrollers role in advising the investment of pensions funds. Alex Merced made the case that the pension fund is structurally building in too much risk exposing pensioners to losses and taxpayers to being subject to "catch up" contributions. In the election, Alex Merced got over 5800 votes for his run for Comptroller.<ref>[http://merionwest.com/2017/04/14/merced-why-im-running-for-nyc-comptroller/ "Why I'm Running for NYC Comptroller" Merion West]</ref> | in 2017, Merced is ran for NYC Comptroller campaigning mainly on the comptrollers role in advising the investment of pensions funds. Alex Merced made the case that the pension fund is structurally building in too much risk exposing pensioners to losses and taxpayers to being subject to "catch up" contributions. In the election, Alex Merced got over 5800 votes for his run for Comptroller.<ref>[http://merionwest.com/2017/04/14/merced-why-im-running-for-nyc-comptroller/ "Why I'm Running for NYC Comptroller" Merion West]</ref> | ||
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Alex Merced was serving as the Policy Director on the executive team of the Larry Sharpe for Governor of New York 2018 Campaign. In order to focus on his campaign for Vice-Chair, Alex Merced took on a different role as Senior Policy Adviser. | Alex Merced was serving as the Policy Director on the executive team of the Larry Sharpe for Governor of New York 2018 Campaign. In order to focus on his campaign for Vice-Chair, Alex Merced took on a different role as Senior Policy Adviser. | ||
=== 2018 Region 8 Alternate=== | ===2018 Region 8 Alternate=== | ||
After being Vacated by [[Larry Sharpe]], Alex Merced took of the role as the Region 8 Alternate on the LNC. He did not run for re-election in the seat and as he was elected Vice-Chair. He was replaced by [[Jeff Lyons]]. | After being Vacated by [[Larry Sharpe]], Alex Merced took of the role as the Region 8 Alternate on the LNC. He did not run for re-election in the seat and as he was elected Vice-Chair. He was replaced by [[Jeff Lyons]]. | ||
=== 2018 Candidacy for Vice-Chair of the Libertarian National Committee === | ===2018 Candidacy for Vice-Chair of the Libertarian National Committee=== | ||
Alex Merced announced in December 2017 that he is running to be [[National Convention 2018|the next]] Vice-Chair of the Libertarian National Committee. Alex Would go on to win after 3 rounds of voting with 50.6% of the vote to become the next Vice-Chair of the Libertarian National Committee. In early 2020 Alex Merced announced he would not seek re-election as Vice-Chair to focus on his new career as a software developer. | Alex Merced announced in December 2017 that he is running to be [[National Convention 2018|the next]] Vice-Chair of the Libertarian National Committee. Alex Would go on to win after 3 rounds of voting with 50.6% of the vote to become the next Vice-Chair of the Libertarian National Committee. In early 2020 Alex Merced announced he would not seek re-election as Vice-Chair to focus on his new career as a software developer. | ||
==== Notable Moments | ====Notable Moments During his Term==== | ||
* Alex had to take the gavel during the LNC meeting in Austin during discussions of hiring a new development director when the Chair wanted to participate in the debate. | * Alex had to take the gavel during the LNC meeting in Austin during discussions of hiring a new development director when the Chair wanted to participate in the debate. | ||
* Alex had to take the gavel during an online LNC meeting in April 2020 when there was a heated discussion about whether to have an in-person convention in 2020, the end result was the passing of a bifurcated convention to be held partially online and partially in-person. | * Alex had to take the gavel during an online LNC meeting in April 2020 when there was a heated discussion about whether to have an in-person convention in 2020, the end result was the passing of a bifurcated convention to be held partially online and partially in-person. | ||
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*[[Individualist Caucus]] | *[[Individualist Caucus]] | ||
*[[Larry Sharpe]] | *[[Larry Sharpe]] | ||
*[[C Michael Pickens]] | *[[Michael Pickens|C Michael Pickens]] | ||
=== 2018-2020 Term as Vice-Chair of the Libertarian National Committee === | ===2018-2020 Term as Vice-Chair of the Libertarian National Committee=== | ||
Things Alex Merced has done during his term as Vice-Chair: | Things Alex Merced has done during his term as Vice-Chair: | ||
* Moved and Passed motion to create ad-hoc Blockchain Committee | * Moved and Passed motion to create ad-hoc Blockchain Committee | ||
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== Personal | ==Personal Life== | ||
Merced [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iFqxvkGdbA married his wife Becky] in 2014.<ref>{{Citation|last=Secret Fire Media|title=Becky & Alex {{!}} Connecticut Wedding Video {{!}} Secret Fire Media|date=2014-11-17|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iFqxvkGdbA|accessdate=2016-10-19}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Alex Merced|title=Alex Merced Proposes to Becky|date=2012-10-14|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tki3KQmI6JM|accessdate=2016-10-17}}</ref> | Merced [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iFqxvkGdbA married his wife Becky] in 2014.<ref>{{Citation|last=Secret Fire Media|title=Becky & Alex {{!}} Connecticut Wedding Video {{!}} Secret Fire Media|date=2014-11-17|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iFqxvkGdbA|accessdate=2016-10-19}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Alex Merced|title=Alex Merced Proposes to Becky|date=2012-10-14|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tki3KQmI6JM|accessdate=2016-10-17}}</ref> | ||
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Alex Merced also [http://music.alexmerced.com makes music as a hobby]. | Alex Merced also [http://music.alexmerced.com makes music as a hobby]. | ||
== References == | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|30em}} | {{reflist|30em}} | ||
[[Category:2016 National Convention Delegates]] | [[Category:2016 National Convention Delegates]] | ||
[[Category:2018 National Convention Delegates]] | [[Category:2018 National Convention Delegates]] | ||
[[Category: New York 2016 National Convention Delegates]] | [[Category:New York 2016 National Convention Delegates]] | ||
[[Category: New York 2018 National Convention Delegates]] | [[Category:New York 2018 National Convention Delegates]] | ||
[[Category:2020 National Convention Delegates]] | [[Category:2020 National Convention Delegates]] | ||
[[Category:New York 2020 National Convention Delegates]] | [[Category:New York 2020 National Convention Delegates]] | ||
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[[Category:Candidates for Comptroller]] | [[Category:Candidates for Comptroller]] | ||
[[Category:New York Candidates for Comptroller]] | [[Category:New York Candidates for Comptroller]] | ||
[[Category:Social Media | [[Category:Social Media Professionals]] | ||
[[Category:Candidates for Public Advocate]] | [[Category:Candidates for Public Advocate]] | ||
[[Category:New York Candidates for Public Advocate]] | [[Category:New York Candidates for Public Advocate]] | ||
[[Category:Candidates for National Party Vice-Chair]] | [[Category:Candidates for National Party Vice-Chair]] | ||
[[Category: National Party Vice-Chairs]] | [[Category:National Party Vice-Chairs]] | ||
[[Category: Podcasters]] | [[Category:Podcasters]] | ||
[[Category: Party Activists from the 2020s]] | [[Category:Party Activists from the 2020s]] | ||
{{Wikipedia-CC}} | |||