Omar Bennett
In the history of the United States, only one independent candidate has ever won a presidential election. George Washington, the first US president, won the votes of all ten eligible states in the first election. He was not affiliated with any of the major political parties and is remembered as the Father of His Country. Since the Republican Party became the second major party in 1856, no third-party candidate has won the presidency. However, third-party candidates have won states in five elections: 1892, 1912, 1924, 1948, and
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of last independent candidate winning an electoral vote | 1968 |
| Name of independent candidate | George Wallace of the American Independent Party |
| Number of states won | 5 |
| Subsequent performance of the American Independent Party | No national success |
| Third-party candidates receiving more than 5% of the popular vote | Theodore Roosevelt (1912), Ross Perot (1992), John G. Schmitz (1972), Allan L. Benson, Frank Hanly, Henry A. Wallace, Ralph Nader, Gary Johnson |
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What You'll Learn
Third-party candidates: performance and popularity
Third-party candidates have rarely achieved significant success in U.S. presidential elections, with the majority of votes typically going to candidates from the six major parties (Federalist Party, Democratic-Republican Party, National Republican Party, Democratic Party, Whig Party, and Republican Party). However, there have been some notable exceptions where third-party candidates have garnered a substantial number of votes or even won states.
One of the most successful third-party candidates in recent history was George Wallace of the American Independent Party, who, in 1968, won five states and received over 1.1 million votes. Wallace ran on a white supremacist and pro-segregationist platform, similar to Strom Thurmond, who also won five states twenty years earlier.
In the 1992 election, Independent candidate Ross Perot received almost one-fifth of the popular vote, although he did not win any electoral votes. Perot's strong showing in the election split the vote and prevented either Clinton or Bush Sr. from winning a majority in any state except Arkansas, Clinton's home state. Perot ran again in 1996 but received less than half the number of votes he had received in the previous election.
The most successful third-party nominee in terms of popular vote was Theodore Roosevelt in the 1912 election. Roosevelt, a former president, had become disillusioned with his successor's growing conservatism and challenged the incumbent, President Taft, for the Republican nomination. When Roosevelt proved to be the more popular candidate in the primaries, Taft had already secured enough delegates in the south to win the nomination. Roosevelt then formed his own Progressive Party and challenged both major party candidates for the presidency. In the end, Roosevelt carried six states and won over 27 percent of the popular vote, while Taft carried just two states with 23 percent of the vote. The split in the Republican Party allowed the Democratic nominee, Woodrow Wilson, to win the election with 82 percent of the electoral votes, despite only winning 42 percent of the popular vote.
Other third-party candidates who have received a notable share of the vote include John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky, James B. Weaver of Iowa, Eugene V. Debs of Indiana, Robert M. La Follette of Wisconsin, and John G. Schmitz of California, who was nominated by the American Independent Party in 1972 and received the highest vote share in the party's history. Many third-party candidates run under different affiliations in different states due to various reasons, including ballot access laws and cross-endorsements by other established parties.
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Independent candidates: state-wise performance
It is rare for independent candidates to take large shares of the vote in elections. However, there have been some independent candidates who have performed well in specific states.
In 1968, George Wallace of the American Independent Party won five states, the last third-party presidential candidate to win an electoral vote as of 2025. In 1972, the American Party's candidate, Republican Congressman John G. Schmitz, won over 1.1 million votes, the highest vote share the party has ever achieved. In 1976, the American Independent Party split into two factions: the more moderate American Party and the American Independent Party, which focused on the Deep South.
In 1992, Independent candidate Ross Perot received almost one-fifth of the popular vote, although he did not win any electoral votes. Perot's performance was strong enough to prevent either Clinton or Bush Sr. from winning a majority in any state except Arkansas.
In the 1912 election, former president Theodore Roosevelt, running as a third-party candidate with the Progressive Party, carried six states and won over 27 percent of the popular vote. This was the best performance by a third-party nominee, although he only came second in the election.
Other notable independent candidates include writer and editor Allan L. Benson of Michigan, former governor Frank Hanly of Indiana, former VP Henry A. Wallace of Iowa, political activist Ralph Nader of Washington, D.C., and former governor Gary Johnson of New Mexico.
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American Independent Party: history and performance
In the history of the United States, only one independent presidential candidate has won a race: the first US president, George Washington. Although two major US political parties had formed in the 1790s, Washington ran as a politically independent candidate and won the votes of all ten eligible states in the first election. In 1792, he received all 132 electoral votes, winning each of the fifteen states.
Washington opposed the development of political parties, which had begun to solidify as the Federalist faction centred on Vice President John Adams and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, and the Democratic-Republican faction centred on Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. In his 1796 farewell address, Washington warned of the dangers of partisanship, famously stating:
> "Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally [...] the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension [...] which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism."
Since Washington, every US president has belonged to one of the two major political parties, beginning with Washington's own vice president, John Adams.
It is rare for third-party candidates to take large shares of the vote in US elections. The last third-party candidate to win electoral votes was George Wallace of the American Independent Party in 1968. Wallace ran on a white supremacist and pro-segregationist platform and won the popular vote in five states.
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Factors influencing independent candidates' performance
Several factors influence the performance of independent candidates in elections. One key factor is the support and resources provided by established political parties. When an independent candidate is endorsed or supported by a major party, it can significantly boost their visibility, campaign resources, and voter appeal. This is often referred to as "cross-endorsement" and can be a strategic move by the endorsing party to gain influence or meet specific requirements, such as ballot access in certain states.
Another factor is the personal appeal and track record of the independent candidate. Some independent candidates have built a strong reputation or celebrity status outside of traditional politics, which can attract media attention and voter interest. For example, some individuals with backgrounds in business, entertainment, or activism have leveraged their existing platforms to launch successful independent campaigns. A candidate's ability to connect with voters on a personal level and offer a fresh perspective can be advantageous.
The state or district an independent candidate is running in also plays a role in their performance. Certain states or regions may be more receptive to independent candidates, especially if there is a history of political independence or dissatisfaction with the major parties. Factors such as demographic changes, economic conditions, and local issues can create an environment that is more favourable for independent candidates.
Additionally, the performance of independent candidates can be influenced by the state of the major parties and the overall political landscape. In some cases, a split or controversy within a major party can create an opening for an independent candidate to gain support. If voters are dissatisfied with the candidates or policies of the established parties, they may be more inclined to consider independent alternatives.
Furthermore, ballot access laws and electoral rules can impact the success of independent candidates. In some states, ballot access requirements, such as the number of signatures needed to get on the ballot, can be challenging for independent candidates to meet. Independent candidates may also face obstacles in terms of funding and organizational support compared to candidates from major parties.
Lastly, the specific platform and policies advocated by independent candidates can influence their performance. Some independent candidates have successfully tapped into niche or under-represented ideologies, offering a distinct alternative to voters who feel their views are not adequately represented by the major parties.
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Successful independent candidates: a historical perspective
While it is rare for independent candidates to take large shares of the vote in elections, there have been several notable successes throughout history.
In the 1912 election, former president Theodore Roosevelt became disillusioned with his successor's growing conservatism and challenged the incumbent, President Taft, for the Republican nomination. Roosevelt proved more popular in the primaries, but Taft secured enough delegates to seal the Republican nomination. Roosevelt then formed his own Progressive Party and challenged both major party candidates for the presidency. He ultimately carried six states and won over 27% of the popular vote, making him the most successful third-party nominee in history.
In 1968, George Wallace of the American Independent Party won five states, running on a white supremacist and pro-segregationist platform. In 1972, the American Party, an offshoot of the American Independent Party, nominated Republican Congressman John G. Schmitz for president, winning over 1.1 million votes, the highest share for the party to date.
In the 1992 election, Independent candidate Ross Perot received almost one-fifth of the popular vote, preventing either Clinton or Bush Sr. from winning a majority in any state except Arkansas.
Other notable independent candidates include Storm Thurmond, who won the popular vote in five states twenty years before Wallace, and Allan L. Benson, Henry A. Wallace, Eugene V. Debs, and Ralph Nader, who all received more than 1% of the popular vote in their respective elections.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, independent candidates have won states in the past. In 1968, George Wallace of the American Independent Party won five states. In 1912, former president Theodore Roosevelt, running as a third-party candidate, won six states.
No independent candidate has ever won the presidency.
Independent candidates face several challenges, including ballot access restrictions and competition from established parties.
In addition to George Wallace and Theodore Roosevelt, other notable independent candidates include Ross Perot, who received almost one-fifth of the popular vote in the 1992 election, and John G. Schmitz, who received over 1.1 million votes in 1972 as the American Independent Party nominee.
