Steven Nekhaila
| Steven Nekhaila | |
 | |
| At-Large Representative Libertarian National Committee | |
| May 25, 2026—present | |
| Successor: | Incumbent |
| Chair Libertarian National Committee | |
| February 2, 2025—May 25, 2026 | |
| Predecessor: | Angela McArdle |
| Successor: | Evan McMahon |
| Chair Libertarian Party of Florida | |
| 2019—2023 | |
| Predecessor: | Marcos Miralles |
| Successor: | Josh Hlavka |
| Personal Details | |
| Education: | Florida International University |
| Occupation: | Entrepreneur |
| Residence: | Key West, Florida |
| Party: | Libertarian Party |
| Media | |
| Website: | http://stevenforkeywest.com/ |
| Facebook: | |
| Twitter: | |
| view image gallery | |
Steven Nekhaila is a Libertarian Party activist and entrepreneur based in Key West, Florida. He has served as an At-Large Representative on the Libertarian National Committee since May 25, 2026, having previously served as the 23rd Chair of the Libertarian National Committee from February 2, 2025 to May 25, 2026. He also served as Chair of the Libertarian Party of Florida from 2019 to 2023.
Biography
Early Life and Career
Nekhaila is a lifelong resident of the Florida Keys, having grown up in Islamorada before settling in Key West, where he lives with his wife Jelena and daughter Lana. He studied Business Administration at Florida International University.
Nekhaila's entrepreneurial career is centered on the hospitality and restaurant industry. He manages twelve businesses in the Florida Keys, including Wendy's franchises from Key West to Marathon, the Dairy Queen in Tavernier, the Island Grill in Islamorada, and a movie theater in Tavernier. These establishments collectively employ more than 250 people, making him a significant figure in the local economy. He is known locally as the "Wendy's guy" for his role in bringing fast-food dining to both residents and tourists throughout the Keys.
Libertarian Party
Nekhaila began his involvement with the Libertarian Party in 2014 as a founding member of the Libertarian Party of the Florida Keys.[1] He went on to serve as the Libertarian Party of Florida's Region 14 Representative and as an Alternate to the Libertarian National Committee for Region 2, both from 2016 to 2018. He also served as Treasurer of the Libertarian Party of Florida during this period. He served as the LNC Region 2 Representative from 2018 to 2022.
Nekhaila served as a delegate for the Libertarian Party of Florida at the 2018 Libertarian National Convention.
Nekhaila was elected Chair of the Libertarian Party of Florida in May 2019, succeeding Marcos Miralles, and served until 2023 when Josh Hlavka assumed the role.[1][2]
Following his state chairmanship, Nekhaila served as an At-Large Representative on the Libertarian National Committee beginning in 2020. During a meeting on February 2, 2025, he was elected Chair of the Libertarian National Committee in a special election held to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Angela McArdle, defeating Michael Heise by a vote of 9–6.[1][3]
In December 2025, Nekhaila announced he would not seek re-election as Chair at the 2026 Libertarian National Convention, stating his intention to instead seek an At-Large seat on the Libertarian National Committee.[3] Nekhaila presided over the 2026 Libertarian National Convention, held May 21–25 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.[4] At the convention, Evan McMahon was elected as his successor as Chair.[4][5] Nekhaila was elected to an At-Large seat on the LNC at the convention, with the seat filled by the LNC effective May 25, 2026.[4]
Organizational Positions
Libertarian National Committee
- Positions
- Chair (February 2, 2025 – May 25, 2026)
- At-Large Representative (2020–February 2, 2025; May 25, 2026 – present)
- Region 2 Representative (2018 – May 29, 2022)
- Region 2 Alternate (2016 – 2018)
- Committees
- Member, National Blockchain Committee (2018 – 2020)
Libertarian Party of Florida
- Positions
- Chair (2019 – 2023)
- Treasurer (dates unknown)
- Region 14 Representative (2016 – 2018)
References
- ↑ a b c "Libertarian National Committee Elects Steven Nekhaila as Chair, Paul Darr as Vice Chair". Libertarian Party of California. February 2025. https://ca.lp.org/libertarian-national-committee-elects-steven-nekhaila-as-chair/.
- ↑ "Steven Nekhaila". Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/steven.nekhaila/.
- ↑ a b "LNC Chair Steven Nekhaila Will Not Seek Reelection, Plans At-Large Run". Independent Political Report. December 22, 2025. https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2025/12/libertarian-national-committee-chair-steven-nekhaila-will-not-seek-reelection-plans-at-large-run/.
- ↑ a b c "2026 Libertarian National Convention Open Thread". Independent Political Report. May 2026. https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2026/05/2026-libertarian-national-convention-open-thread/.
- ↑ "Libertarian National Convention Elects a New National Party Chair". Ballot Access News. May 24, 2026. https://ballot-access.org/2026/05/24/libertarian-national-convention-elects-a-new-national-party-chair/.