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The Constitution Party, previously known as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party, is an ultra-conservative political party in the United States. It was founded by Howard Phillips, a conservative activist, in response to President George H. W. Bush's broken pledge of no new taxes. The party's platform is based on originalist interpretations of the Constitution, shaped by principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Bible. The current leader of the Constitution Party is unclear, but notable members include Virgil Goode, a former six-term Virginia Congressman, and Jim Clymer, a three-term Constitution Party National Chairman and attorney.
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution Party is a political party in the US
The Constitution Party is the fifth-largest political party in the United States. As of June 2024, the party has 28 members who have been elected to city council seats and other municipal offices across the country. In 2000, Rick Jore, a three-term Republican member of the Montana House of Representatives, became the first member of the party to hold a seat in a state legislature. He was defeated in the 2000, 2002, and 2004 elections but was elected to a state legislature in 2006, the first Constitution Party candidate to be elected. In 2002, Greg Moeller became the first member of the party to win a partisan election. The Constitution parties of Minnesota and Colorado have both achieved major party status once.
The Constitution Party has FEC-recognized national party status. In 2004, the party achieved ballot access in 41 states and nominated Maryland lawyer Michael Peroutka as its presidential nominee, with Florida minister and commentator Chuck Baldwin as its vice-presidential nominee. In 2008, Baldwin was selected as the party's presidential nominee, with Darrell Castle as his running mate. In 2012, former six-term Virginia Congressman Virgil Goode was nominated for President, with three-term Constitution Party National Chairman, attorney Jim Clymer, as his running mate. In 2016, founding Constitution Party member and three-term Vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Constitution Party, Darrell Castle, was nominated for President, with Dr. Scott Bradley as his running mate.
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It was founded by Howard Phillips
The Constitution Party, formerly known as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party, is an ultra-conservative political party in the United States. It was founded by Howard Phillips, a veteran conservative political activist, in 1992. Phillips had a long history in politics, dating back to his early teens when he first became involved with the Republican Party. Over the years, he held various positions within the party, including serving as chairman of the Boston Republican Party and as a staff member at the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C.
However, in 1974, Phillips left the Republican Party, feeling that it was not conservative enough for him. He then founded the Conservative Caucus, a nationwide grassroots public policy advocacy group. This group took strong stances on various issues, including opposing the Panama Canal treaties and advocating for major tax reductions. Phillips also played a key role in what became known as the Strategic Defense Initiative.
In 1992, Phillips established the U.S. Taxpayers' Party, which would later become the Constitution Party. The founding of this party was in response to a perceived shift away from "limited and empowered local government, and very broad and significant individual freedoms." The party's platform is based on originalist interpretations of the Constitution and shaped by principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Bible. It advocates for a strong military and opposes the deployment of American troops without the consent of Congress. Additionally, it supports the abolition of the Department of Education, the Federal Reserve Board, and the Internal Revenue Service, among other things.
Phillips was the dominant figure in the party, running as its presidential candidate in 1992, 1996, and 2000. He received the party's presidential nomination in 1996 and 2000, and during the 1992 campaign, he and his running mate, Albion Knight, received approximately 40,000 votes. Unfortunately, Phillips passed away in 2013 at the age of 72.
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It is an ultra-conservative party
The Constitution Party is an ultra-conservative political party in the United States. It was founded by Howard Phillips, a conservative activist, after President George H. W. Bush went back on his pledge of "read my lips: no new taxes". The party was originally called the U.S. Taxpayers' Party, but changed its name in 1999 to reflect its primary focus of returning the government to the provisions and limitations of the U.S. Constitution.
The Constitution Party's platform is based on originalist interpretations of the Constitution, as well as principles it believes were set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Bible. The party promotes a religiously conservative interpretation of the United States Constitution and is known for its anti-abortion stance. It has a strong base of support, ranking as the fifth-largest political party in the country in terms of registered members.
The party has sought to nominate prominent politicians in the past, such as Pat Buchanan and Ross Perot, but has also selected its own members as candidates, including Phillips himself on three occasions. In 2000, Rick Jore, a former Republican member of the Montana House of Representatives, became the first member of the Constitution Party to hold a seat in a state legislature. In 2002, Greg Moeller became the first member of the party to win a partisan election. The Constitution Party has had varying levels of ballot access over the years, achieving access in 39 states in 1996, 41 states in 2004, and was qualified in 14 states as of 2019.
The party's website emphasizes the importance of understanding the founding fathers' vision for the country and values integrity, liberty, and prosperity. The Constitution Party also takes strong stances on foreign policy, criticizing U.S. involvement in struggles with countries like Iran, which they believe has made dealing with its allies, such as China, Russia, and North Korea, more difficult.
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It has ballot access in several states
The Constitution Party, previously known as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party, is an ultra-conservative political party in the United States. It was founded by Howard Phillips, a conservative activist, after President George H. W. Bush went back on his pledge of "read my lips: no new taxes". The party's platform is based on originalist interpretations of the Constitution and is shaped by principles that it believes were set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Bible.
The Constitution Party has a history of seeking ballot access in multiple states. In 1992, following the presidential election, the U.S. Taxpayers' Party had ballot-qualified state affiliates in California, New Mexico, and South Carolina. By 1996, the party had achieved ballot access in 39 states, representing over 80% of the Electoral College votes available. This was also the year the party was officially recognized by the Federal Election Commission.
In 2000, a schism occurred within the Constitution Party, with members who advocated for an explicitly religious party leaving to form the Christian Liberty Party (formerly known as the American Heritage Party). Despite this, the party continued to pursue ballot access and, by 2004, it had achieved ballot access in 41 states. During its convention in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, that year, the party nominated Maryland lawyer Michael Peroutka as its presidential nominee and Florida minister and commentator Chuck Baldwin as its vice-presidential nominee.
As of September 2019, the Constitution Party maintained its status as a ballot-qualified party in 14 states. As of June 2024, the party had 28 members elected to city council seats and other municipal offices across the United States, ranking fifth among national parties in terms of registered members.
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It is the fifth-largest party in the US
The Constitution Party, formerly known as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party, is an ultra-conservative political party in the United States. It is the fifth-largest political party in the country, with 28 members elected to city council seats and other municipal offices across the nation as of June 2024. In terms of registered members, the party ranks fifth among national parties.
The party was founded by Howard Phillips, a conservative activist, after President George H. W. Bush went back on his pledge of "read my lips: no new taxes". The Constitution Party promotes a religiously conservative interpretation of the principles and intents of the United States Constitution. Its platform is based on originalist interpretations of the Constitution and shaped by principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Bible.
The Constitution Party first sought to nominate prominent politicians like Pat Buchanan and Ross Perot during the 1992 and 1996 presidential elections. However, they were unsuccessful, and Howard Phillips became the party's presidential nominee in three successive elections. In 2000, a schism occurred within the party, with those advocating for an explicitly religious party leaving to form the Christian Liberty Party (formerly known as the American Heritage Party). Despite these challenges, the Constitution Party has made strides, achieving ballot access in 41 states by 2004 and increasing its vote tally by 40% compared to the 2000 elections.
The party has also seen successes at the state level, with Rick Jore becoming the first member to hold a seat in a state legislature in Montana in 2006. In 2002, Greg Moeller became the first Constitution Party member to win a partisan election as a Scott Township Trustee in Hamilton County, Iowa. The Constitution Party of Minnesota and Colorado have both achieved major party status once.
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Frequently asked questions
The current leader of the Constitution Party is unclear. The party's 2012 presidential nominee was former six-term Virginia Congressman Virgil Goode, and its 2016 nominee was founding member and three-term Vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Constitution Party, Darrell Castle.
The Constitution Party was founded by Howard Phillips, a conservative activist and Chairman of the grass-roots lobby, the Conservative Caucus.
The Constitution Party was founded in 1992 as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party. It changed its name to the Constitution Party in 1999.
The Constitution Party is a third-party conservative political party focused on restoring the Federal Government to the Constitution's provisions. The party promotes a religiously conservative interpretation of the principles and intents of the United States Constitution.
As of June 2024, the Constitution Party has 28 members who have been elected to city council seats and other municipal offices across the United States.
