Kenneth Robert Cross, December 14, 1948 (Flint, Mich.) - December 20, 2018 (Batesville, Ark.)
VP candidate for Reform Party of the United States of America (aka Independent) (2012)
Running mate with nominee: Andre Nigel Barnett (b. 1976)
Popular vote: 966 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
The Reform Party held their convention in Aug. 2012. Andre Barnett of New York won the nomination. Others who had expressed an interest at some point in the previous year included Darcy Richardson, Laurence Kotlikoff, and Buddy Roemer. By the time of the convention most potential candidates had dropped out but one of them, Ken Cross of Arkansas, settled for the Vice-Presidential bid.
Cross had filed with the FEC for President in 2008 and again in Aug. 2011, both times under the New Populist Party, an entity he created in 2004. His 2008 and 2012 campaign webpage outlined a centrist/conservative platform--
My stand on a number of important social and political issues is as follows:
Believe that an exit strategy should be developed regarding the Iraq war. Conducting an endless war is not consistent with American tradition or beliefs.
Believe in strong adherence to the Constitution.
Believe in balancing the budget.
Prefer détente, deterrence and containment in preference to pre-emptive strike strategy except when attack is imminent beyond reasonable doubt.
Support evaluating the effectiveness of the “no child left behind” program and modifying or replacing it as appropriate. A suitable replacement would be a “Quality Education Initiative” which would concern itself with the development of all students and not just the ones that are behind.
Do not support privatization or any other approach that would significantly weaken Social Security.
Promote increasing energy self-sufficiency with emphasis on renewable energy alternatives.
Prefer fair trade agreements over free trade agreements.
Support protecting the environment.
Opposed to abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is at risk.
Opposed to gay marriages but support civil unions with certain legal rights.
Support affirmative action but oppose quotas.
Barnett was also a conservative but without the centrist moderation of Cross. The On The Issues website summarized Barnett's political views--
Opposes abortion as a woman's right. (Jan 2012)
Opposes requiring companies to hire more women & minorities. (Jan 2012)
Opposes same-sex domestic partnership benefits. (Jan 2012)
Supports the death penalty. (Jan 2012)
Opposes mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws. (Jan 2012)
Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it. (Jan 2012)
Supports teacher-led prayer in public schools. (Jan 2012)
Opposes school vouchers. (Jan 2012)
Alternatives as well as coal & oil. (Jan 2012)
Supports expanding free trade. (Jan 2012)
Stricter limits on political campaign funds. (Jan 2012)
Supports absolute right to gun ownership. (Jan 2012)
Opposes more federal funding for health coverage. (Jan 2012)
Expand the armed forces. (Jan 2012)
The Patriot Act harms civil liberties. (Jan 2012)
Opposes illegal immigrants earning citizenship. (Jan 2012)
The Reform Party of Kansas, which had disaffiliated from the national party, grabbed the Reform Party ballot line in that state and nominated Chuck Baldwin and Joseph L. Martin. The State sided with the local party so Barnett/Cross were forced to run as write-ins there. The Mississippi Reform Party nominated perennial candidate Barbara Dale Washer with Cathy L. Toole as the VP.
Barnett/Cross were on the ballot in Florida where they finished 10th out of 12 with 0.01% of the vote in that state. They were also write-ins in Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
Election history:
2008 - US President (New Populist Party) - defeated
2012 - Reform Party of the United States of America nomination for US President - defeated
2016 - Reform Party of the United States of America nomination for US President - defeated
2020 - Green Party of the United States nomination for US President - died in 2018
Other occupations: civil engineer, management consultant, foundry worker, construction worker, furniture company owner
Buried: Oaklawn Cemetery (Batesville, Ark.)
Notes:
Baptist
