Malcolm Rivera
The topic of independent candidates and third-party runners in elections is an intriguing one, with a long history and many complexities. Independents can play a crucial role in elections, often attracting support from those who are dissatisfied with the major parties. George Washington, the first US president, was notably elected as an independent, and figures like Bernie Sanders and Jill Stein have also made notable independent runs. Independents can face challenges, such as ballot access and visibility, but they can also tap into voter frustrations and offer fresh perspectives. With shifting political landscapes and declining support for major parties, the role of independents is worth examining.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Independent candidates for the 2024 United States presidential election | Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West, Jill Stein, James Bradley, Donnie Harold Harris, Melina Abdullah, Claudia De la Cruz, Rudy Reyes, Randall Terry |
| United States president elected as an independent | George Washington |
| Expulsion from a party | John Tyler was expelled from the Whig Party in 1841 |
| Independent senators | Bernie Sanders, José Reguffe |
| Independent candidates in other elections | Vicki Huntington, Dan Osborn |
| Independent parties | American Independent Party, Libertarian Party, Green Party, Legal Marijuana Now Party, Peace and Freedom Party |
| States with independent voters | Nebraska, Minnesota, California, Washington, Colorado, Alaska, Connecticut, South Carolina |
| Percentage of independent voters | 48% identify as political moderates, 30% are conservatives, 20% liberals |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Independent candidates in the US presidential election
In the United States, an independent candidate is one not affiliated with any political party. In the 2024 US presidential election, independent candidates received 2.13% of the vote, or over three million votes. This was a slight increase from the 2020 election, where independent candidates received 1.86% of the vote.
Several independent candidates ran in the 2024 US presidential election. Cornel West, a philosopher and activist, ran as an independent candidate with academic and activist Melina Abdullah as his running mate. West was nominated by the Colorado faction of the Natural Law Party, the only state party with ballot access. The Michigan Natural Law Party nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with patent lawyer and entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan as his running mate. Kennedy was also nominated by the Alliance Party of South Carolina, but later withdrew his name from the ballot. In April 2024, the American Independent Party of California nominated Kennedy as its candidate, allowing him to gain ballot access in the state.
Other independent candidates in the 2024 election included Donnie Harold Harris, a business owner and write-in candidate for the 2012 Indiana gubernatorial election. The Legal Marijuana Now Party held its first-ever presidential nomination primary in Minnesota, where Dennis Schuller, a small business owner, and Rudy Reyes, an archeologist and teacher, were nominated as the party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively. The Transhumanist Party's presidential and vice-presidential nominees were Tom Ross, a technology and political activist, and Daniel Twedt, a nonprofit executive and perennial candidate.
It is worth noting that the first US president, George Washington, was elected as an independent, as there was no provision for political parties in the US Constitution at the time.
Candidates' Vision: Their Promises and What They Stand For
You may want to see also
Independent candidates in state elections
Independent candidates play a significant role in state elections across the United States, with varying levels of success. The process for running as an independent candidate can vary by state and specific office sought. For example, in Texas, candidates seeking to run as independents must follow a two-part process. Firstly, they must file a Declaration of Intent to Run as an Independent Candidate within a specified timeframe, typically between November and early December of the year preceding the election. This step is crucial, as failing to file the declaration will result in the rejection of the subsequent candidate application. The second part of the process involves filing a candidate application, along with a supporting nominating petition. The deadline for this step is usually in June of the election year.
The nominating petition is an essential component of an independent candidate's application. It requires the collection of signatures from registered voters who support the candidate's bid. Importantly, these signers must not have participated in the primary or runoff primary elections of any party that has nominated a candidate for the same office being sought by the independent candidate. The minimum number of signatures required on the petition varies depending on the office sought. For statewide offices, it is typically calculated as a percentage of the total vote received by all gubernatorial candidates in the previous general election. For district, county, or precinct offices, the requirement is often the lesser of a specific number, such as 500, or a percentage of the total vote received in the respective district, county, or precinct.
In other states, such as Illinois, independent candidates have sought positions on local boards, such as library trustee or board of education seats. Additionally, some states like Alaska, Connecticut, and South Carolina, have allowed independent candidates on their ballots. For instance, the Alliance Party of South Carolina nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr., although he later withdrew his name from the ballot. The American Independent Party in California held a presidential preference primary in 2024, demonstrating their recognition of independent candidates.
The success of independent candidates in state elections has been mixed. Notable examples include independent candidates winning seats in the 2019 Newfoundland and Labrador general election and the 2009 British Columbia general election, where Vicki Huntington defeated the incumbent Attorney General. However, it is uncommon for politicians affiliated with major parties to act independently, as strong party discipline often results in unified voting. George Washington, the first US president, remains the only president elected as an independent, as he opposed the development of political parties.
Churches, Political Donations: Legal or Not?
You may want to see also
Independent candidates outside the US
Independent candidates, also known as minor candidates, are those not affiliated with any political party. In the United States, the term “third party” is used to refer to political parties other than the Democratic and Republican parties.
In the 2024 United States presidential election, 24 independent or third-party candidates were listed on the ballot in at least one state, and over 100 candidates were registered as write-in candidates in at least one state. Notable independent candidates in the 2024 election included Cornel West, a progressive activist, author, and intellectual, who ran with academic and activist Melina Abdullah as his running mate; and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who selected patent lawyer and entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan as his running mate, before withdrawing his name from the ballot in South Carolina. Other independent candidates who were speculated about but did not run included Justin Amash, a former US Representative, and Mark Cuban, an investor and entrepreneur.
Outside of the US, the concept of independent candidates can vary. For example, in the United Kingdom, candidates typically run as independents at the local level, such as for city council seats, rather than for national parliamentary elections. In India, independent candidates have been elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, with some even becoming ministers in state governments.
The success of independent candidates can depend on various factors, including the political landscape and the specific issues at play in a given election. For example, independent working-class candidates may have a better chance of winning in districts or states where the Democratic Party brand is unpopular. Additionally, independents can play a crucial role in addressing issues that may be overlooked by the major parties, such as advancing a pro-worker and anti-corporate agenda.
Overall, independent candidates outside the US represent a diverse range of political perspectives and can play an important role in shaping the political landscape in their respective countries.
Phone Numbers: Campaigns' Secret Weapon for Targeted Ads
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Independent candidates in historical elections
Independent candidates have a long history in US elections, dating back to the country's first president, George Washington. Washington himself opposed the development of political parties, which were beginning to emerge in the form of the Federalist faction, led by John Adams and Alexander Hamilton, and the Democratic-Republican faction, led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
Since then, several notable independent candidates have run for office in the United States, although it is rare for them to gain a large share of the vote. In the 2024 US presidential election, for example, the American Independent Party nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and the Colorado faction of the Alliance Party nominated Cornel West. In the same year, the Libertarian Party, the Green Party, and the Constitution Party also fielded independent candidates, receiving 6,647, 88,236, and 60,023 votes, respectively.
At the state level, independent candidates have seen some success. In the 2009 British Columbia general election, independent candidate Vicki Huntington defeated incumbent Attorney General Wally Oppal in Delta South. In the 2019 Newfoundland and Labrador general election, two independent candidates were elected. In US gubernatorial elections, independent candidates have also made an impact, with Donnie Harold Harris running as a write-in candidate in the 2012 Indiana gubernatorial election.
Outside the United States, independent candidates have also been a feature of elections. In Canada, for example, independent candidates are permitted to hold office in the House of Commons and the Senate without being members of a political party. In Brazil, independent senator José Reguffe authored a proposal to amend the Constitution, which would allow independent candidates to run if they have the support of at least 1% of the electors in the region in which they are running. In some places, such as the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, all members sit as independents, as there are no political parties in consensus governments.
Making Money in Politics: Strategies for Success
You may want to see also
Notable independent politicians
United States
In the United States, independent politicians have played notable roles at the state and local levels, with some even winning elections in large cities. For example, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg won his third term as an independent. Minneapolis also had an independent mayor, Charles Stenvig, throughout the 1970s. Maine and Alaska have a history of independent state legislators.
At the national level, George Washington is the only US president to date who was elected as an independent. He opposed the development of political parties, warning against "the baneful effects of the spirit of party" in his 1796 Farewell Address. John Tyler, the 10th president, was expelled from the Whig Party in 1841 and remained independent for the rest of his term. Notable independent candidates for the US presidency since 1900 include congressman John Anderson (1980), billionaire entrepreneur Ross Perot (1992, 1996), former Green Party candidate Ralph Nader (1996, 2000), and "Never Trump" conservative Evan McMullin (2016).
In the US Senate, notable independents include Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is the longest-serving independent in Senate history and a vocal critic of corporate greed. Others include Angus King of Maine, a socially liberal and fiscally conservative senator, and Nebraska senator George W. Norris, who was originally elected as a Republican but became an independent in 1930 and won re-election as such in 1936.
Brazil
In Brazil, independent politicians are not allowed to run for office. The Constitution of 1988 states that party affiliation is a condition for eligibility. However, a proposed amendment to the Constitution (PEC) no. 6/2015, authored by independent senator José Reguffe, would allow independent candidacies for those with the support of at least 1% of electors in the region in which they are running.
Canada
In Canadian federal politics, members of the House of Commons and the Senate can hold office without being members of a political party. They can appear on the ballot with "Independent" following their name or with no party affiliation.
Tunisia
The President of Tunisia, Kais Saied, was elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2024 as an independent.
Campaign Manager: Strategies for Political Success
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Some notable independent politicians in the US include George Washington, John Tyler, Bernie Sanders, Jill Stein, Cornel West, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Independent candidates often face challenges in getting their names on state ballots and may receive less media coverage and public interest compared to candidates from major parties.
Running as an independent candidate can offer a level of independence from traditional political parties, allowing candidates to represent and advocate for specific causes or constituencies, such as pro-worker policies or local issues.
