American Reform Party
Encyclopedia
The American Reform Party is a minor political party
in the United States
that was formed in a factional split from the larger Reform Party of the United States in October 1997. The split occurred when some members of the Reform Party, believing that party founder Ross Perot
had rigged the party's 1996 presidential nomination for himself, walked out of the national convention.
Then Chairman Roy Downing said the split came about when it was "discovered [the Reform Party] was a top down party instead of a bottoms up organization."
Although members of the group attempted to persuade former Colorado
Governor Dick Lamm, Perot's chief rival for the nomination, to run for president as an Independent, he declined, pointing out that he had promised before running that he would not challenge the party's decision.
Since then, the ARP has yet to organize in more than a few states. In the 2000, 2004, and 2008 elections, the American Reform Party supported Ralph Nader
for president.
In New York State, the Integrity Party is an American Reform Party affiliate. The group, led by Darren Johnson, used the state's fusion election system in cross-endorsing a Democratic sheriff candidate, Vincent Demarco, in Suffolk County, helping him narrowly win election. The party has also run a host of other candidates and attempted to go statewide in 2006, fielding Phoebe Legere
as a candidate in the 2006 New York gubernatorial election
. Legere and the party did not qualify for the November ballot.
The American Reform Party is not a political party in the conventional sense. It does not have ballot access in any state, and it does not run candidates. It supports third party candidates and independents.
The Reform Party of Northern Mariana Islands
is an affiliate of the American Reform Party.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that was formed in a factional split from the larger Reform Party of the United States in October 1997. The split occurred when some members of the Reform Party, believing that party founder Ross Perot
Ross Perot
Henry Ross Perot is a U.S. businessman best known for running for President of the United States in 1992 and 1996. Perot founded Electronic Data Systems in 1962, sold the company to General Motors in 1984, and founded Perot Systems in 1988...
had rigged the party's 1996 presidential nomination for himself, walked out of the national convention.
Then Chairman Roy Downing said the split came about when it was "discovered [the Reform Party] was a top down party instead of a bottoms up organization."
Although members of the group attempted to persuade former Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
Governor Dick Lamm, Perot's chief rival for the nomination, to run for president as an Independent, he declined, pointing out that he had promised before running that he would not challenge the party's decision.
Since then, the ARP has yet to organize in more than a few states. In the 2000, 2004, and 2008 elections, the American Reform Party supported Ralph Nader
Ralph Nader
Ralph Nader is an American political activist, as well as an author, lecturer, and attorney. Areas of particular concern to Nader include consumer protection, humanitarianism, environmentalism, and democratic government....
for president.
In New York State, the Integrity Party is an American Reform Party affiliate. The group, led by Darren Johnson, used the state's fusion election system in cross-endorsing a Democratic sheriff candidate, Vincent Demarco, in Suffolk County, helping him narrowly win election. The party has also run a host of other candidates and attempted to go statewide in 2006, fielding Phoebe Legere
Phoebe Legere
Phoebe Hemenway Legere is a Multi-Format Artist: she is a composer, soprano, pianist and accordionist; a painter, a poet, and a film maker.Legere has recorded for Mercury Records in England and Epic, Island, Funtone, ESP Disk and Einstein records in the United States. Legere has released ten CDs...
as a candidate in the 2006 New York gubernatorial election
New York gubernatorial election, 2006
The New York gubernatorial election of 2006 was a race for the governorship of this U.S. state. Eliot Spitzer was elected on November 7, 2006, succeeding Governor George Pataki, the three-term incumbent, who did not run for a fourth term....
. Legere and the party did not qualify for the November ballot.
The American Reform Party is not a political party in the conventional sense. It does not have ballot access in any state, and it does not run candidates. It supports third party candidates and independents.
The Reform Party of Northern Mariana Islands
Reform Party (Northern Mariana Islands)
The Reform Party is a political party in the Northern Mariana Islands. It is not an affiliate of the Reform Party USA but rather the American Reform Party, a splinter group of that party. In the last legislative elections held on 1 November 2003, the party won no seats; gubernatorial candidate...
is an affiliate of the American Reform Party.