Joyce Gail Dattner, June 1, 1948 (New York, NY) -
VP candidate for New Alliance Party (aka Independent aka Illinois Solidarity Party aka Alliance Party aka United Citizens Party) (1988)
Running mate with nominee: Lenora Fulani (b. 1950)
Popular vote: 122,789 (0.13%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
In 1988 Lenora Fulani was the nominee for the New Alliance Party. She managed to achieve the nearly impossible task of gaining ballot status in all 50 states + DC. In some cases the NAP worked with already existing third parties such as the Solidarity Party and United Citizens Party. In California they tried but failed to take over the Peace and Freedom Party and in the process temporarily derailed the PFP for that election year.
Meanwhile, Dennis L. Serrette the NAP Presidential nominee for 1984, denounced the Party as a toxic cult during the 1988 election season. This point of view would be shared by several in the cultbusting community.
Fulani had eight running-mates in 1988, stating "If we got elected, we'd figure it out." Chicago-based Joyce Dattner was also a disciple of NAP guru Fred Newman and was Fulani's most visible VP choice, having showed up on the ballot in 31 states + DC. She was involved in various associated NAP groups as well such as the "Rainbow Alliance." At the NAP convention in Aug. 1988, the press quoted a tearful Dattner who exclaimed, "I love you, Lenora Fulani. I love you and I'll follow you anywhere."
In 1987 Fulani said the NAP was prepared to endorse Jesse Jackson in the event he won the Democratic nomination, but in case he didn't her campaign was forging ahead.
The NAP platform included national health care, support for AIDS victims, recognition of Native American treaty rights, stronger environmental regulations, a freeze on military spending, ending aid to South Africa-the Contras in Central America-Israel, support of pro-choice laws, support of public transportation.
In response to criticism of NAP's connection with Louis Farrakhan, Dattner said in 1985: "I am someone who comes from a Zionist history and has moved to follow Black leadership. I heard Minister Farrakhan speak about women taking their rightful place and that any whites who wanted to support the movement are welcome. I know his attack on Zionism is a righteous thing."
On the NAP's 1988 goal, Dattner told a reporter, "We're out to cost Dukakis the election. I mean, look at his record. In Massachusetts, the so-called 'Massachusetts miracle' was a miracle for corporations. He supports a 'workfare' system that has welfare recipients working at less than minimum wage. He handed down an executive order that doesn't allow Gay people to be foster parents."
Nationally Fulani gained 217,221 votes (0.24%) and placed 4th, a truly impressive and historic finish on many levels-- for openers, Fulani was the first African American women to be listed on every US ballot. The Fulani/Dattner ticket had 122,789 popular votes. In the District of Columbia they placed third with 1.50% of the vote, the only jurisdiction where Fulani broke 1% with any running mate. The other strongest results for the Fulani/Dattner team: Vermont 0.65%, South Carolina 0.41%, Massachusetts 0.36%, Montana 0.35%, West Virginia 0.34%, Missouri 0.32%, Wyoming 0.31%, Maryland 0.30%. They did not appear to be spoilers in favor of Bush in any state.
Election history:
1976 - New York Assembly (Working Peoples Party) - defeated
2002 - San Francisco Board of Supervisors (Nonpartisan) - defeated
Other occupations: life coach, teacher, San Francisco chair of the Reform Party, union organizer
Notes:
Apparently does not have a professional accredited academic degree in the field of psychology or a
Ph.D. in any field but was sometimes billed as "Dr. Joyce Dattner" in ads marketing her lectures in
the 1980s. She has never been a licensed psychologist from what I can ascertain.
Winner of the 1976 race was Jerry Nadler.
Was connected with the People's Party Presidential campaign in 1976.
