Darth Vader, May 25, 1977- May 25, 1983 (Los Angeles, Calif.)
VP candidate for Independent (aka Grand Old Empire Party aka Concerned Citizens Party) (1984, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024)
Running mate with nominee (1984, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024): Darth Sidious (aka Sheev Palpatine aka the Emperor) (1977-1983)
Popular vote (1984, 2012, 2016, 2020): 0 (0.00%)
Electoral vote (1984, 2012, 2016, 2020): 0/538
The campaign (1984, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024):
Sith Emperor Palpatine, address: 1 Empire Way, Death Star II, AS 99999, filed with the FEC for President on Mar. 19, 2016 as a member of the Concerned Citizens Party of Connecticut, a far-Right party that really exists.
It was yet another decentralized Star Wars spinoff campaign into electoral politics. The evil Palpatine was frequently touted, off and on since 1984, as a Presidential contender with Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker) as his running-mate. A sampling of their campaigning from a few sources--
Nov. 6, 2012
We will end unemployment. How will we do it? Do you have any idea how many people it takes to operate a Death Star?
And our foreign policy can be summed up in two words - Death Star !
April 12, 2015
Palpatine for President
The Palpatine and Vader combo have joined the candidates running for President of The United States of America. Senator Palpatine said his first action as president would be to employ every unemployed citizen and work on rebuilding the Death Star. Senator Palpatine also would like to see a new world order for a safer and more secure society.
July 14, 2016
It's time for real change...by Force if necessary. "You will vote for us!"
Nov. 17, 2016
We are disappointed in your lack of faith in the Sith and Dark Side of the Force. We will continue to make our presence known. Vote Palpatine-Vader 2020 and we promise to create millions of jobs with our first action to turn Earth's moon into the Death Star!
June 17, 2017
"People are comparing Trump to me...I find that incredibly insulting...I'm not nearly that evil and incompetent!" - Lord Vader
Vader himself was a frequent Presidential candidate. One of the more noteworthy efforts was a Vader/Skywalker Sith Party ticket presented in 2000.
Election history:
1980 - US President (Independent) - defeated
1988 - US President (Independent) - defeated
2000 - US President (Sith Party) - defeated
2008 - US President (Independent) - defeated
2012 - US President (Independent) - defeated
2016 - US President (Independent) - defeated
2020 - US President (Independent) - defeated
2024 - US President (Independent) - pending
Other occupations: fictitious character
Notes:
I managed to avoid all of the original Star Wars trilogy movies until the 1980s and that was enough for me. For the purposes of this blog I'll attempt to pretend the remainder of the franchise does not exist.
