Michael Pellettiere
VP candidate for Independent (aka New Alliance Party) (1988)
Running mate with nominee: Lenora Fulani (b. 1950)
Popular vote: 3,806 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
In 1988 Lenora Fulani was the nominee for the New Alliance Party. She managed to achieve the nearly impossible task of gaining ballot status in all 50 states + DC. In some cases the NAP worked with already existing third parties such as the Solidarity Party and United Citizens Party. In California they tried but failed to take over the Peace and Freedom Party and in the process temporarily derailed the PFP for that election year.
Meanwhile, Dennis L. Serrette the NAP Presidential nominee for 1984, denounced the Party as a toxic cult during the 1988 election season. This point of view would be shared by several in the cultbusting community.
Fulani had eight running-mates in 1988, stating "If we got elected, we'd figure it out." Her VP who was on the Kansas ballot only was Michael Pellettiere, who lived in Queens, NY. Since both Fulani and Pellettiere lived in New York, there would have been a Constitutional problem in the event of their electoral victory.
Pellettiere, who was already active with the NAP, had some connection with the Barbara Taylor School in Harlem, where he was known as "Mr. P." Taylor herself was Fulani's running-mate in New Jersey.
In 1987 Fulani said the NAP was prepared to endorse Jesse Jackson in the event he won the Democratic nomination, but in case he didn't her campaign was forging ahead.
The NAP platform included national health care, support for AIDS victims, recognition of Native American treaty rights, stronger environmental regulations, a freeze on military spending, ending aid to South Africa-Contras in Central America-Israel, support of pro-choice laws, support of public transportation.
Nationally Fulani gained 217,221 votes (0.24%) and placed 4th, a truly impressive and historic finish on many levels-- for openers, Fulani was the first African American woman to be listed on every US ballot. The Fulani/Pellettiere team earned 0.38% of the popular vote in Kansas.
Election history: none
Other occupations: ?
Notes:
More data is welcome
