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The Constitution Party is the fifth-largest political party in the United States. It was established as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party in 1992 and changed its name to the Constitution Party in 1999. The party's platform includes support for the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. In 2024, the Constitution Party of North Carolina was recognized as an official political party in the state, with candidates including Walter Vinny Smith for governor and Wayne Jones for lieutenant governor. In the past, the party has supported anti-abortion candidates and advocated for limited government involvement in the lives of citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Party Name | Constitution Party, U.S. Taxpayers' Party (in Michigan as of 2022) |
| Party Size | Fifth-largest political party in the United States |
| Ideology | Upholds the right to bear arms, opposes federal aid, foreign aid, and national healthcare, and supports the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights |
| Candidates | Walter Vinny Smith for governor, Wayne Jones for lieutenant governor |
| Previous Candidates | Ron Paul for president, Michael Peroutka for vice-president, Tom Tancredo for gubernatorial election in Colorado, Howard Phillips for president, Herbert Titus for vice-president |
| Recognition | Officially recognized by the Federal Election Commission in 1996, recognized as an official political party in North Carolina |
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What You'll Learn
- The Constitution Party is the fifth-largest political party in the US
- The party was established as the US Taxpayers' Party in 1992
- The party's candidates can and do win elections across America
- The party's 2024 candidates for governor and lieutenant governor of North Carolina are Walter Vinny Smith and Wayne Jones, respectively
- The party's platform includes upholding the right to bear arms and opposing federal aid
The Constitution Party is the fifth-largest political party in the US
The Constitution Party has a strong belief in individual liberty and a limited government. They oppose federal interference in state and local affairs, as well as any form of commitment that compromises national sovereignty or leads to intervention in foreign wars. The party also stands against federal aid, foreign aid, and national healthcare. In addition, they support the right to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by the Second Amendment, and reject any attempts to prohibit gun ownership by law-abiding citizens.
The Constitution Party has had some success in elections, with 28 members elected to city council seats and other municipal offices across the US as of June 2024. The party has also achieved major party status in Minnesota and Colorado. In 2002, Greg Moeller became the first member of the party to win a partisan election.
In terms of presidential elections, the party has put forward candidates since its formation. In 2000, the party's candidate placed tenth in the general election with 47,512 votes. The Constitution Party of North Carolina recognised Walter Vinny Smith as their candidate for governor and Wayne Jones for lieutenant governor in the 2024 general election.
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The party was established as the US Taxpayers' Party in 1992
The Constitution Party, formerly known as the US Taxpayers Party, was established in 1992. The party was founded by Howard Phillips, a conservative activist and former chairman of the Conservative Caucus, a grass-roots lobby. The formation of the party was a response to a perceived shift away from "limited and empowered local government" and a reduction in "broad and significant individual freedoms."
The US Taxpayers Party was formed through the US Taxpayers Alliance, an organisation founded by Phillips with affiliates in 25 states. The party's first national convention was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1992, where Phillips was nominated as the party's first presidential candidate. The US Taxpayers Party secured ballot positions in 21 states for the 1992 election and achieved major-party status in Minnesota in 1998 when Patricia Becker, the party's nominee for Minnesota state auditor, received over 5% of the popular vote.
In 1996, Phillips sent a memo to conservative Christian leaders, stating that anti-abortion candidates were unlikely to become the Republican presidential nominee, and that they should instead support an anti-abortion third-party candidate. Phillips supported giving the presidential nomination of the US Taxpayers Party to Pat Buchanan, and was himself nominated again as the party's presidential candidate at the national convention in San Diego, California, in 1996.
In 1999, the party's name was changed to the Constitution Party to better reflect its primary focus of returning the government to the provisions and limitations set out in the US Constitution. The Constitution Party is now the fifth-largest political party in the US and has seen members elected to various municipal offices across the country.
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The party's candidates can and do win elections across America
The Constitution Party, formerly known as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party, is America's fifth-largest political party. The party's candidates have experienced success in elections across America, with a presence in city councils and other municipal offices.
In 1998, Patricia Becker, the U.S. Taxpayer's nominee for Minnesota state auditor, received over 5% of the popular vote, granting the party major-party status in Minnesota. The Constitution Party of Minnesota has achieved major-party status on more than one occasion. In 2002, Greg Moeller became the first member of the party to win a partisan election. As of June 2024, the party has 28 members elected to city council seats and other municipal offices across the country.
The Constitution Party's candidates have also made their mark in gubernatorial elections. In 2010, the American Constitution Party, the party's affiliate in Colorado, nominated Tom Tancredo for governor. In 2024, the Constitution Party of North Carolina put forward Walter Vinny Smith and Wayne Jones as candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively.
The party's platform includes support for the right to bear arms, opposition to federal interference in state affairs, and a commitment to limiting the federal government's powers. The Constitution Party advocates for individual liberty and a free market economy, rejecting the idea that civil government can set wages and prices.
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The party's 2024 candidates for governor and lieutenant governor of North Carolina are Walter Vinny Smith and Wayne Jones, respectively
The Constitution Party is the fifth-largest political party in the United States. It was established as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party in 1992 and changed its name to the Constitution Party in 1999. The party's platform includes support for the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. It also advocates for limited government intervention and individual freedoms, and the right to bear arms.
In North Carolina, the State Board of Elections recently recognized the Constitution Party as an official political party. This recognition provides voters with another choice of party affiliation when registering to vote or updating their registration. The Constitution Party of North Carolina will have candidates on the ballots in the 2024 general election, including Walter Vinny Smith for governor and Wayne Jones for lieutenant governor.
Walter Vinny Smith and Wayne Jones are, respectively, the Constitution Party's candidates for governor and lieutenant governor of North Carolina in 2024. Smith and Jones were chosen during the party's 2024 nominating convention. While the party indicated that it would have additional candidates, it did not want to disclose their names until it was officially recognized.
The recognition of the Constitution Party in North Carolina as an official political party is a significant development, providing voters with more options and potentially impacting the state's political landscape. The inclusion of the party on voter registration applications and ballots ensures that its candidates, including Smith and Jones, will have the opportunity to reach a wider audience and potentially gain support in the upcoming election.
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The party's platform includes upholding the right to bear arms and opposing federal aid
The Constitution Party is America's fifth-largest political party, with 28 members elected to city council seats and other municipal offices across the United States as of June 2024. The party's platform includes upholding the right to bear arms and opposing federal aid.
The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states, "A well-regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." The Constitution Party interprets this amendment as guaranteeing the right of individuals to possess firearms without interference from the federal government. This interpretation aligns with court rulings, such as United States v. Cruikshank, which affirmed that the Second Amendment prevents the federal government from infringing on the right to bear arms, but does not extend to protection from private actors or state governments.
The party's support for the right to bear arms is rooted in the idea of a citizen militia as a check against a potentially oppressive government. This concept was formalized during the Constitutional Convention, where the Framers recognized the need for citizens to be able to resist an oppressive military or constitutional breakdown. While the original intent of the Second Amendment is debated, with some arguing it was meant to prevent the need for a standing army, others contend it was intended to empower citizens against tyranny. Today, the focus has shifted to preserving gun rights for self-defense, recreation, and hunting.
The Constitution Party's opposition to federal aid aligns with its small-government ideals. The party believes that government intervention often makes situations worse, as stated on their website regarding U.S. involvement with Iran. This stance reflects a broader skepticism of federal power and a preference for state-level autonomy, as seen in their interpretation of the Second Amendment and their support for anti-abortion and anti-tax policies.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution Party's candidate for the 1996 election was Howard Phillips, with Herbert Titus as his vice-presidential running mate.
The Constitution Party's candidate for the 2000 election was Howard Phillips.
The Constitution Party's candidate for the 2010 Colorado gubernatorial election was Tom Tancredo.
The Constitution Party's candidates for the 2024 North Carolina gubernatorial election are Walter Vinny Smith for governor and Wayne Jones for lieutenant governor.
