This thread will be a great place to track and discuss the minor candidates for the Presidency. Here are some good sources for third party news and developments.
Independent Political ReportBallot Access NewsA more detailed list.
America's PartyPresidential Nominee:
Tom HoeflingVice Presidential Nominee:
J.D. EllisWebsiteAmerica's Party was formed last time around by Alan Keyes, who made earlier failed attempts for the Republican Party, and later, the Constitution Party, before forming his own party. Keyes is very similar to Rick Santorum on social issues, and foreign policy, and so is the Hoefling/Ellis ticket. Tom Hoefling also won the nominations of the last remaining chapter of George Wallace's American Independence Party, which is somewhat of a force in California. He is also the Independent American Party (a now rogue affiliate of the Constitution Party) nominee, which is active in Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada. America's Party will be on the ballot in Florida, and Colorado, and through the American Independence Party, will have ballot access in California.
American Third Position PartyPresidential Nominee:
Merlin MillerVice Presidential Nominee:
Virginia AbernethyWebsiteThe American Third Position Party is a white nationalist political party that advocates protectionism, a non interventionist foreign policy, and pro worker (while still capitalist) economics. The party ran a candidate for Governor of West Virginia last time around, but only won 0.4% of the vote. The ticket for the Presidency is filmmaker Merlin Miller, and Professor Virginia Abernethy. The party made some news earlier this year when it was alleged that the party had some high level contacts within the Ron Paul presidential campaign. The party has ballot access in New Jersey, and Colorado.
Constitution PartyPresidential Nominee:
Virgil GoodeVice Presidential Nominee:
Jim ClymerWebsiteFounded by Howard Phillips as the Taxpayers in the early 1990's as a vehicle for a Pat Buchanan third party bid, the Constitution is the principle rightwing third party in American politics. The party has suffered from internal turmoil in recent years, with various factions trying to takeover. The Nevada satellite split off and joined Alan Keyes's party due to a very minor difference over Abortion. The Goode campaign has been criticized as being in "disarray", and will likely not have an impact outside of Virginia. Goode is on the ballot in Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. He is an official write-in candidate in
Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia.
Freedom Socialist PartyPresidential Nominee:
Stephen DurhamVice Presidential Nominee:
Christina Lopez WebsiteThe Freedom Socialist Party is a byproduct of the 1960's. It advocates revolutionary socialism and feminism. It has failed to get any attention at all, besides a scathing condemnation of the Peace and Freedom Party’s nomination of Roseanne Barr. The Party has ballot access in...nowhere. They are running as write-in candidates.
Green PartyPresidential Nominee:
Jill SteinVice Presidential Nominee:
Cheri HonkalaThe Green Party is the second largest third party, and fourth biggest party in general. The party has had a good amount of success. They have a few elected officials here and there (including a city councilar in the town next to me), and in 2000, broke 1% of the vote, and according to some, gave Bush the election. The Party has nominated some big names-Ralph Nader and Cynthia McKinney among others, and has a good deal of grassroots support among those in the Occupy movement. The Party faces competition from the Socialist Party, the Peace and Freedom Party, and the Justice Party as the "main" leftwing third party. The Greens have ballot access in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, DC, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. They have write-in status in Connecticut, Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, and South Dakota.
Justice PartyPresidential Nominee:
Rocky AndersonVice Presidential Nominee:
Luis J. RodriguezWebsiteThe Justice Party was formed by former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson. Anderson is running as a Progressive, and has had some success with ballot access. The Party has the endorsement of Ralph Nader, and may turn out to be one of the more successful left wing minor parties this time around. The party has ballot access in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington. They have official write-in status in Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Libertarian PartyPresidential Nominee:
Gary JohnsonVice Presidential Nominee:
Jim GrayWebsiteThe Libertarian Party is by far the largest third party in the United States. The party has boomed during its 40 year existence, and has broken 1% in 1980, and came close again in 1988. Notable nominees include Ed Clark, Ron Paul, Harry Browne, and Bob Barr. This year, they have former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson as their candidate. The Johnson campaign is expected to
at least break 2-3% nationwide. Johnson has ballot access in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Peace and Freedom PartyPresidential Nominee:
Roseanne BarrVice Presidential Nominee:
Cindy SheehanWebsiteThe Peace and Freedom Party has for years been confined to California. Actress Roseanne Barr and famed anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan are the parties presidential ticket. With Roseanne's semi serious candidacy breathing new life into the party, it may expand. It has made it on the ballot in California, and Colorado.
Prohibition PartyPresidential Nominee:
Jack FellureVice Presidential Nominee:
Toby DavisWebsiteThe Prohibition is the oldest third party. It's glory days are
long gone. The party has faced internal turmoil as of late; the Prohibition Party experienced a schism in 2003, as the party's prior presidential candidate, Earl Dodge, incorporated a rival party called the National Prohibition Party in Colorado. Dodge held a rival nominating convention in his living room in August 2003, attended by eight people, and was nominated as the president of this rival party. This year, they are only on the ballot in...nope. Not on the ballot. Not in a single state.
Reform PartyPresidential Nominee:
Andre BarnettVice Presidential Nominee:
Ken CrossWebsiteThe Reform Party has been in decline during the last 12 years. Ross Perots candidacy in 1992 was not matched by his later 1996 campaign. Pat Buchanan and the Natural Law folks battled for control in 2000, and tore the party apart. They endorsed Nader in 2004, and nominated Ted Weill, who died just after the election in 2008. This year, they nominated
Andre Barnett Simfan. They have ballot access in Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Socialist PartyPresidential Nominee:
Stewart AlexanderVice Presidential Nominee:
Alejandro MendozaWebsiteThis could be a good year for the Socialists. But, with heavy competition from the Greens, Roseanne, and Anderson, they will likely be pushed downwards to eight place. They have ballot access only in Colorado and Ohio. They are write-in candidates in Indiana.
So..thoughts on the third party candidates?
