Linda Aileen Padgett, March 22, 1970 -
VP candidate for Independent (2012)
Running mate with nominee: Christopher Michael Padgett (b. 1970)
Popular vote: ? (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
The husband and wife team of Chris and Linda Padgett ran on an Independent ticket in 2012, producing a video with the Presidential candidate advocating with mock seriousness such promises as--
--Increase things,
--Fight pirates.
--Free cheese (for the poor)
--Free health care (including pets)
--P90X required.
--Golf must be a sport in (in China)
--No plastic dolls.
Padgett explained his electoral history with deadpan humor and a straight face--
"Here's the thing. Four years ago I ran as Jesus' running-mate and I meant it. And Jesus and I, we've have many conversations since then, but apparently the United States of America was not so interested in having Jesus as President. We had somebody else as President. Things have not been going so great. There have been jobs that are lacking and gas prices are way too high, milk costs a lot of money and people don't get to go on vacations and stuff. And so I thought I would ask Jesus if it was OK if I ran for President this year and he said that I could. And so I am."
Actually, in 2008 a book entitled Jesus for President was a best seller (by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw) and the authors' tour resembled a political campaign. The authors renewed the idea in 2012 as well. Also in 2008 Jesus was the running-mate in the Presidential campaign of Mrs. Betty Bowers, America's Best Christian.
The Padgetts converted as a couple to Catholicism in 1999 and the faith became the central core of their lives. They developed their own nonprofit ministry called Catholic Family and Marriage, Inc.
Other married couples who ran as a ticket include Marvin Edward Perkins/Dorothy Louise Perkins - Independent (1980), Henry R. King/Sandra M. King - Independent (1984, 1988, 1992), David C. Byrne/Karen Byrne - Common Citizens of the United States of America (2000), Stanford Eugene Andress/Irene Altahelle Markley Deasy - Unaffiliated (2004), Debra Joyce Renderos/Oscar Renderos Castillo - Independent (2004), Oscar R. Renderos/Debra Joyce Renderos - Independent (2008), Debra Joyce Renderos/Oscar R. Renderos - Independent (2008)
In the event of their victory there would have been a problem with the Constitution since the Padgetts were residents of the same state.
Shortly after the 2012 election they began a homesteading lifestyle near Syracuse, NY.
Chris Padgett also launched a Youtube campaign for President in 2016, but without mention of a running-mate.
Election history: none.
Other occupations: author, podcaster, homesteader, speaker, blogger
Notes:
Mother of 9 children.
