The Alaska Libertarian party has a new chairman, weeks before the general election.

Jon Watts takes over the role after the party’s board voted to remove Terrence Shanigan from the position. Watts, who previously served as vice chair, says the ouster had to do with internal party responsibilities that weren’t being fulfilled.

Shanigan says he learned about the decision after it was made but accepts the decision. He calls Watts a “great guy” and sees this as a business decision by the board.

Shanigan says the party has been without a treasurer for some time and has been trying to fill that position.

The leadership change comes weeks before an election in which the party has a prominent candidate in the U.S. Senate race, Joe Miller.

Watts says nothing has changed in terms of party leadership’s support of its candidates.