Christopher Michael Lauer, April 11, 1980 -
VP candidate for Unity Party of America (2016)
Running mate with nominee: Roger Eugene Nichols (1961-2019)
Popular vote: ? (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
Roger Nichols, a pastor and coach of Maryville, Mo. announced his intention run as the Unity Party of America candidate for President in June 2013. He filed with the FEC on May 6, 2015. It wouldn't be until April, 2016 that Nichols and his running-mate, Chris Lauer of Watertown, Conn. would be officially nominated by the Party.
Although the Unity Party of America had been around since 2004, the Nichols/Lauer nominations appeared to have been their first national ticket. Interestingly, their names do not surface in the Party's Wikipedia entry nor in their own institutional history on the current UPA website--
Unity Party History: An American Story
One day in September of 2003, Bill Hammons was on a training run for the New York City Marathon in the hills of Central Park, mulling over what more he could do to support the Presidential candidacy of General Wesley Clark, who had just declared for the White House (Hammons had been active in the Draft Clark grassroots movement).
Then, at the top of the park, it struck Hammons that he and others could run marathons to raise campaign contributions. The idea of “Runners for Clark” was born, RFC raised a bit of cash for Clark’s campaign, and the nascent organization had spread to 14 states before the General bowed out of the Primaries the following Spring.
Clark might’ve been done, but Hammons wasn’t, and Unity Runners was started with this website of unityparty.us to support Centrist candidates throughout the country (one thing Hammons had become increasingly dismayed with was the seeming inability of the major American political parties to appeal to Centrist voters who don’t necessarily adhere to any particular ideology, other than Common Sense).
The 2004 election was done that November, but Hammons still wasn’t done, and the Unity Party of America was born on November 4, 2004, the day after that election. Bill’s fellow Unity Runners basically said “good luck with that,” and his father Rich was party member #2.
Hammons moved to Colorado the following April to trade the skyscrapers of Manhattan for the peaks of the Colorado Rockies, and he soon decided to run for office himself, as a Unity Party candidate in 2008. He became the first of only two 3rd party candidates to successfully petition onto the General Election ballot in Colorado history (Approval Voting candidate Blake Huber followed in Bill’s footsteps in 2018 before joining the Unity Party of Colorado’s United Colorado Committee).
As a direct result of Bill’s successful petitions onto the statewide General Election ballot (he also ran for US Senate in 2014 and 2016), the Unity Party was placed on and remained on Colorado’s voter registration form as one of only six voter affiliation options (“Unity”).
Then, on June 6, 2017 (D-Day), the Unity Party of Colorado achieved full party status in the Centennial State thanks to the number of voters who had checked the “Unity” voter affiliation box. With this new status, Unity Party of Colorado candidates (including Presidential candidates), no longer have to petition onto the General Election ballot, but instead are nominated at the election year Unity Party convention. In 2018, Hammons, his Gubernatorial running mate and friend Eric Bodenstab, and other candidates went on to shatter all new-party records in that year’s General Election.
And stay tuned for more exciting developments! Hammons returned to his home state of Texas in 2019 partly to enjoy some fine year-round weather, partly due to the 12th Amendment, and partly to help expand the Unity Party in Texas, Colorado Springs veteran Rebecca Keltie declared as the first-ever female Unity Party Candidate (for Congress), Stephan “Chairman Seku” Evans became the first African-American Unity Party nominee (to represent Colorado in the US Senate), and multiple candidates across the country vied to be the first Unity Party Presidential candidate to appear on official ballots (the Hammons/Bodenstab Unity Party Presidential ticket is appearing on multiple state ballots in multiple regions of the country in 2020).
The pre-2016 UPA platform consisted of six planks summarized as-- Balanced Budget Amendment, Eliminate the Federal Income Tax, Health Care Tax Deduction, Social Security Tithe Pool, Term Limits, Judges not Gerrymandering. By the time of the Nichols/Lauer election cycle it had been expanded to 23 issues. Their platform came across as sort of a conservative/Libertarian-lite--
Balanced Budget Amendment
Unity supports the passage of a Balanced Budget Amendment in the interests of the nation's fiscal and economic health. Any short-term stimulative benefits gained by deficit spending are far outweighed by the long-term damage that spending inflicts on the economy. It's time to stop spending our children's inheritance, and it's time for the state legislatures to apply to Congress for a new Constitutional Convention to pass this and other amendments, per Article V of the US Constitution.
Affirm the 2nd Amendment
The Unity Party of America affirms the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Affirm the 4th Amendment
The Unity Party of America affirms the 4th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects shall not be violated.
Eliminate the Federal Income Tax
Unity supports replacing federal income taxes with a revenue measure based on the carbon content of fossil fuels as a simple way of balancing the budget, combating global warming, and encouraging the development of alternative energy sources. A reduction in fossil fuel consumption would enhance American power abroad by making this nation less dependent on foreign sources of oil.
Health Care Tax Deduction
Unity supports a full tax deduction for the health care costs of all Americans forced to pay for their own health coverage.
Social Security Tithe Pool
Unity supports the replacement of federal payroll taxes with a "tithe pool" of less than 10% of earned income. At the end of every fiscal year, the pool of revenues collected that year would be apportioned to guarantee Social Security benefits, Medicare, and other entitlement programs for the following calendar year.
Supporting our Military
Unity supports our military service members, both active duty and retired, the many brave men and women who have honorably defended our great nation. Unity supports all efforts to get our military better healthcare and retirement benefits as well as making it easier for all veterans to get access to the benefits they need, no question asked.
Free and Fair Trade
Unity supports global free trade in the interest of long-term economic development, so long as provisions are made for a Global Minimum Wage to protect workers both here and abroad, and for carbon tariffs to fight global warming and protect American manufacturers.
Term Limits
Unity supports limiting US Senators to two six-year terms in office, and limiting US Representatives to four two-year terms in office.
Judicial Term Limits
Unity supports an amendment to the US Constitution which imposes term limits of 12 years on Federal Judges, including US Supreme Court Justices.
Enhance Electoral Security
In this age of hackers and other criminals willing to do anything to advance their own agenda and subvert American democracy, Unity supports the requirement that all individual votes in Federal elections, whether they be cast electronically or by other means, be recorded with paper receipts.
Judges, not Gerrymandering
Unity supports outlawing the drawing of legislative districts along partisan lines, and supports the appointment of panels of retired judges to draw the boundaries of legislative districts.
Put Campaign Finance on Solid Foundation
Unity declares that all Federal political contributions, whether they be spent directly or indirectly on campaigns for Federal office, should be reported on a timely basis in terms of individual source and should be limited to no more than the current limit of $2,700 per individual donor, adjusted for inflation going forward; if corporations are real people and money is speech, corporations should be held to the same standards as real people and money still can't be tossed onto the roaring bonfire of corruption threatening the very structures at the heart of American democracy.
Resign to Run
To give the American Taxpayer relief from subsidizing the careers of incumbent officeholders, elected Federal officials seeking office higher than the one they currently hold should resign immediately upon filing for a primary election; the timing of such resignations would allow for the holding of replacement elections in a seamless and efficient manner.
Make Minimum Voting & Donating Ages 16
When Americans are old enough to drive at 16, they're old enough to make political donations and vote in elections; conversely, Americans should not be able to make political donations if they're not allowed to vote in the first place.
The American Space Program
Unity supports a focused, efficient and aggressive US space program which leads the world. An American space program that sets the pace will not only inspire Humankind, but will lead to many short and long-term benefits for our nation. Space exploration and the eventual building of colonies on the moon, Mars and planets beyond will provide us with the 'life jacket' Humankind might need.
Call for DC Statehood
Taxation without Representation for Hundreds of Thousands of American Citizens in the US Capital is symbolic of the dysfunction of the two-party duopoly; the Unity Party supports DC Statehood with appropriate provisions for Federal property.
Self-Determination of All Peoples
Unity supports the right of self-determination for all Peoples, including their right to establish new States within the United States of America as appropriate.
Chris Lauer, an activist for homeless vets, was named Nichols' campaign manager in Aug. 2014 before getting the VP nod--
Aug. 31, 2014
Effective immediately, Chris Lauer replaces Bill Hammons as Nichols for President Campaign Manager. It's all good: support for Roger's campaign is reaching new levels and Hammons will be better able to focus on his two other jobs of chairing the national party and running for US Senate in Colorado; he's the first Unity Party candidate to make the General Election ballot for US Senator and has put the party on the State's voter registration form!
Although the Party presented itself as centrist, their 2016 nominees were definitely coming from the Right wing on social issues if their Internet accounts were any indicator. Nichols' Facebook campaign page provided links to the Tea Party, anti-Islamic/pro-Christian activists, the Heritage Foundation, FreedomWorks, and the Christian-based American Center for Law & Justice Fox & Friends. He also expressed strong views supporting Israel.
However, Nichols' did reveal a shift to the Left on economics when it came to helping those on the margins of society, much like those in the Catholic-based American Solidarity Party. Here is a statement he made in Jan. 2016--
The strength of Our Nation is the Citizens of Our Great Country. American's working together as true Patriots, creating employment, investments and currency in order for survival & growth for the future. Restructuring and systematizing of the current system is a necessary step forward improving the damage's done from spending our taxpayer money in areas of neglect, abuse,waste & fraud. Unemployment and poverty is imperative. Granting an absolute and essential subsidy to low-income families and individuals and annually raise Senior Citizens’ social security income and social disability income in accordance with the cost of living. Provide a tax credit for all Citizens investing in our Country, Charity and contributions. In order to reduce our debt, the ultimate approach would be to apply all stimulus money to help the States of affairs. The critical issue at hand now, is to cease all double dipping loans, spending and of course, pork expenditures, all of which inflates the deficit. It is crucial to balance the budget by eliminating unproductive programs and maintain beneficial programs for our Citizens.
Our government is responsibility to its citizens, and not the rest of the world. As the saying goes, “talk is cheap and action to solve,” Now is the time for our Government to take inventory of the budget and balance our deficit.
We should be proud to be an American and Citizens of this great Country. It is imperative that we Stand Up & not allow our rights from being stripped from us. We need to continue to find and unsurpassed solution to the difficulties we are experiencing in our Country right now there is the separation of Citizens and government. We are in dire need of a Leader to works for the citizens of this great nation and a leader who takes an interest in the citizens and their needs. By having a Leader like that, the government and Citizens will work together as a team. In some instances separation is useful for freedom however, we need unity in times of crises to enable us to sought our solutions in the best interest of our Country.
I will be the leader who stands up for The People,Our County, Veterans and America first before others.Within the Heart,Mind & Soul, united together we will prevail!. We The People build Our Country,We The People created jobs, We The People pays taxes, We The People Stands Up for the Constitution & Freedom, We The People want's Our Country issues solve with solution's,America First before others.God Bless USA & We The People!
VP nominee Lauer expressed himself as more militantly ("awaken the sheep!") Right wing on his social media. His Homes for Homeless Vets and Unity Sweep of The People's House,Senate and Congress and 2016 Presidential Candidate Roger E. Nichols Campaign Manager Facebook pages included alarm over the "New World Order," support for anti-Islamic sentiment, a contention that President Obama was a traitor and should be impeached, support for birtherism, endorsing the idea that Hillary Clinton should be jailed, highlighting the "Clinton Death List," getting the US out of the UN, and providing links to Fox talking heads, the Tea Party, Breitbart, the NRA, and more esoteric conservative websites--
Nov. 24, 2015
America Wake up until we break the chains that bind us things will never change and why we need a Team Of Independents for independence in our House , Senate and Congress with fairness and representation of We The People not the elites, bankers, corporations , NWO and UN‼️
Break the chains now
www.facebook.com/SweepHouseSenateCongress
Semper FI America
Marine Veteran Patriot
2016 Presidential Campaign Manager
2016 Vice Presidential Candidate with
Roger E Nichols
Unity Party 2016 Presidential Candidate
www.facebook.com/nicholsforpresident
Also a Patriot and Pastor 🙏
God bless this opportunity to defeat the evil main party control and restore the power to We The People
www.facebook.com/unitypartyofamerica
Americans First!
Jan. 14, 2016
Obama under the NWO direction and a puppet player and plant under direction of Kissinger is supposed to instill NWO and get why our Gov't from House, Senate, Congress and State levels need a real change with hope that's really action not just talk like we got with this current regime!
Let's change this America and I'm ready are you?
Semper FI America
Trump did not escape criticism either--
Jan. 18, 2016
Trump the same man who paid $900 Million for powerBall tickets because he didn't want anyone to win and is this the man We The People need who will sell us out if he can do some stunt like this but if he really cared to help America and the Homeless Vets crisis he could have put $900 million to better use I believe and don't forget #Fox gave him $30 million of free air time who else got that much coverage?
Nobody really and Wakeup America
Media manipulation I'd say!
He still plays for the elites and main party corruption run wild by the NWO , UN , Corporations, Lobbyists, crooked Politicians and if we keep electing Main Party Candidates we will never win for
We The People!
Let's elect a Gov't this time for the People, by The People, for the People,
We The People❗!
Hear the #Wolves cry #America
For our #FoundingFathers are rolling in their graves when 80% or maybe more do not trust this self serving #Government
Yet are not doing a thing about it being sheep, silent and asleep you better do something you never done before in your life
by stepping up with
Roger E Nichols
2016 Presidential Candidate and I Chris Lauer
2016 Vice Presidential Candidate
Not because we Love #Politics who does but because we hate the way it's run as the Gov't our ForeFathers warned us about‼️
The House, Senate,Congress and State level corruption and with the Puppet Master Puppets will always be in control if we elect main party Candidates and will never change and I don't care if you elect ten #Trump and ten #Cruz it won't make a difference due to the team playing for the American People isn't there!
Why have they made it so no Independents
Get in the White House well since #Washinghton and why has the #Democrats ruled the House for way to long and why are both main parties against We The People!!???
When our Gov't is out of control We The People must take control and thousands of hits daily on The Party and Platform page
www.facebook.com/unitypartyofamerica
And
Website
www.unityparty.us
We still need to grow the pages for the rest of the mission to save America ourselves since our #Govt will not!!!
We believe in your gun rights America!
This is why I'm either a #Republican or #Democrat America First
America Wakeup America
Maybe you're done America with #Politics but I'm not and would love you all fellow Patriots ,brothers and sisters to join the fight of Independents for Independence with a team and Party for Americans First and Politics last not for the elites , NWO , UN , Lobbyists , Corporations and both Main Party interests!
What America deserves is representation in House , Senate , Congress and State level for all Americans First and Politics last
Roger E Nichols
#ThePeoplesPresident
www.facebook.com/nicholsforpresident
2016 Presidential Candidate of Unity Party of America welcome all
Friends and Fellow Patriots we are taking the steps as we speak to be on the 2016 Ballot and an honor would be to have all of you together We The People bring the fire to burn with passion on our team and party of Independents with a 1776 attitude.
www.facebook.com.unitypartycampaignmanager
When I was in Iraq 2003 buildup , invasion and push yes we were pouring concrete foundations for intent of staying and yes our Gov't has gotten away from We The People not in our control but the elites and haven't been for We The People in decades and We are all in this together must take control back from the NWO, Elites, globalists , lobbyists and UN even❗️
America we will
Lose to them and their agendas if we don't play to win❗️
www.facebook.com/SweepHouseSenateCongress
Roger E Nichols
2016 Presidential Candidate of
Unity Party of America
United We Stand❗️
www.facebook.com/nicholsforpresident
#ThePeoplesPresident
#SWEEPtheWHITEHOUSE2016
Roger is a Coach , Mentor ,Patriot & also a
Pastor for We The People❗️
How can you serve the people with just a Presidential Candidte❓
I would say pretty hard to do unless you have a great team and platform behind you and guess what We DO❗️
www.facebook.com/unitypartyofamerica is 37 states and growing with no slowing to go fourth for our today and tomorrow plus future of USA to be on the ballot for 2016❗️
The website is also www.unityparty.us
www.facebook.com/unitypartycampaignmanager
Independents for Independence❗️
Type in page ;
Vote Democrats and Republicans out of office
Tired of both main parties screwing the nation and our people for decades and so are we❗️
Americans First and Politics Last❗️
Semper FI Marine Veteran Patriot
Chris Lauer
USMC 99-03 including Iraq invasion and time to save our nation.
Unity Party Of America CT State Rep.
2016 Presidential Campaign Manager &
Vice Presidential Candidate
Feb. 14, 2016
Americans complain about the downfall of our society and our Gov't yet the support they have for #Democrats #Sanders and #Hillary just make me sick that this is what a lot of Americans want!
I get reports from the White House including Hillary's messages about her Campaign and asking for me to pledge a dollar and I won't give a penny‼️
I didn't forget #Benghazi!
So she went on a rant about Socialist Sanders receiving $6 million in the last couple weeks and how can Americans give that much to this Man and not much less to her?
All the promises of free stuff and do these people realize who pays for it?
The #Taxpayer!
This is what the NWO wants , backed by 620 plus corporations. The UN influences and the corrupt main two party system will stay corrupt under these two as #President and don't forget Bernie has ties with Rothschilds as a cousin see how that makes him a key opponent to push their agenda on the American People!
We have Options with Solutions however!
Homes 4 Homeless Vets
Feb. 28, 2016
If you come here badmouthing my page and or my Politics my admin and I will remove you and yes of course on my page I do post Politics too with a audience here and many of my other pages to awaken the people the possibility to have a 2016 Vice Presidential Candidate in our White House that actually cares for our Veterans , freedom, our nation , way of life as well for We The People!
Not for the Elites!
Not for out Gov't!
Not for the corporations!
Not for the NWO!
Not for the illuminati!
Not for the UN!
Not for the Lobbyists!
Facebook provided a number of fact check editorial blurbs countering the claims of some of the memes Lauer posted.
Oddly, as most other campaigns were in overdrive during the final weeks of the campaign season, the Nichols/Lauer electioneering became strangely silent online with no given reason for most of October. As the ticket was not on any ballot nor registered as write-ins, no votes were reported.
A week before the election Nichols stated in an interview he was planning to run again in 2020 and 2024. A couple 2017 entries on his Facebook confirmed that plan--
Judge yourself before you judge others, search your heart, mind & soul. Pray for wisdom, knowledge & peace. I'm running for President in 2020. Standing and Kneeling in Unity for our country & the people. God Bless all with many blessings.
Don't get me wrong I like sports but I love the Lord, Family & Country. There are many issues that needs solutions. I'm running for President in 2020.Together with the people issues will have solution. I stand & kneel in unity for all the people. God Bless with many blessings.
Unfortunately his plans were cut short by his untimely death on Jan. 2, 2019.
Election history: none
Other occupations: US Marine Corps, Homes for Homeless Vets, rap artist
Notes:
According to the current website of the Unity Party of America, Lauer is now serving as the Party chair in New Haven County, Conn.
