William Davis Edwards, February 25, 1920 (Mississippi) - August 5, 1992 (San Francisco, Calif.)
VP candidate for Independent (aka Socialist Party of the United States of America aka Socialist Party USA aka Socialist Party) (1992)
Running mate with nominee: John Quinn Brisben (1934-2012)
Popular vote: 1,372 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
In 1992 the Socialist Party nominated J. Quinn Brisben for President. He had previously been the VP nominee for the Party in 1976.
Brisben predicted bad economic times for the years ahead. Reforming the health care system was a topic he highlighted.
Brisben's speeches had some very quotable lines:
The major parties are simply pawns to the military industrial complex. They accept huge campaign donations, figure out who they need to do favors for and come up with the most electable candidate.
This presidential Gong Show does nothing to serve the people's interest.
First we need to start freeing our minds by not watching any commercial TV. I can assure you that you don't need anything they advertise.
More Greens are becoming Reds as they realize they're not going to get much sympathy for the spotted owl if they can't save the job of the lumberman.
Once involved in socialism, people are often surprised at how popular many of our ideas really are. We stand for universal health care, women's rights, national day care and housing and jobs for everyone.
One good thing about running as a socialist, you can prepare your concession speech months in advance.
We would be better off with a parliamentary system as the British have because our electoral system is a disaster waiting to happen.
I'll probably end up losing more elections than Basil Rathbone lost sword fights ... This campaign is an educational effort. That's a left-wingy way to say we're going to lose but it's worth it anyway.
Early in the campaign Brisben was arrested in Orlando, Fla. for raising his cane at a law enforcement officer he felt was mishandling someone in a wheelchair. He was literally raising cane.
Brisben's VP was William D. "Bill" Edwards, the Party's first African American national nominee. The Bay Area-based Edwards was a labor organizer, former longshoreman, and anti-Apartheid activist. Sometimes the media called him "Edward D. Williams."
Unfortunately Edwards, who was 72, died on Aug. 5, 1992. By the end of the month the VP position was filled by Barbara Garson.
In spite of the fact he was deceased, Edwards remained on the ballot in Tennessee, where the ticket won 0.07% and placed 5th out of 14. The write-in Brisben/Edwards team was also counted in Florida.
Election history: none
Other occupations: US Army (WWII), farmer, longshoreman, merchant marine
Notes:
Was living in California by 1940.
