VP candidate for Nutrition Party (aka Independent) (2016)
Running mate with nominee: Rodney C. Silva (b. 1972)
Popular vote: 751 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
Rod Silva of Piscataway, N.J. filed as an Independent for President with the FEC on Oct. 20, 2015. By the time of the election, he was running under the banner of the Nutrition Party.
Silva introduced himself to voters on his campaign webpage--
My name is Rod Silva, and I am running for President of the United States of America as an independent candidate on behalf of the Nutrition Party.
The son of immigrants, I grew up one of five kids in Newark, New Jersey, later moving to North Edison. I have a beautiful wife and two amazing children. I’m a regular guy who has always chased and accomplished his dreams. It’s that opportunity that makes America the greatest country on earth. I worked hard, sacrificed much and built a successful business from blood, sweat and tears.
In 1995, combining my interest in living an active and healthy lifestyle and my entrepreneurial spirit, I opened my first Muscle Maker Grill – a fast casual restaurant providing healthier versions of mainstream-favorite dishes that taste great, making it easy, affordable and enjoyable to eat healthy. I put the entire financial future of my family on the line in a quest to make my American dream a reality. Today, I am proud to say that by being smart and doing things the right way, we have grown to nearly 60 locations operating in 11 states and steadily expanding.
But sadly, America has fallen on hard times – the physical health of this great nation is in peril. Every day, millions of people are slowly killing themselves as a result of the poor food choices they make. My campaign platform will be heavily focused on first addressing serious issues taking place at home here in America, like the increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, cholesterol and other health-related complications – all resulting from poor eating choices. Focusing on issues like the economy, foreign affairs and tax reform are important, but if we don’t live long enough to enjoy the benefits of living in the free world, then what is the point?
Here’s where I differ from the other candidates: I am a Washington outsider. I am under no obligation to make deals in return for political backscratching. As a successful entrepreneur, I understand the current business and economic challenges and how to improve them. I have created hundreds of jobs within the communities Muscle Maker Grill serves. I will make decisions that benefit the American people – not special interest groups – and I strongly believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which is the foundation of this great nation.
I can lead the change that can help America succeed – physically and politically – and it all starts now.
Together, we can make America the healthiest nation in the world again.
The Nutrition Party's single-issue platform was brief but to the point--
Every day, millions of people are slowly killing themselves as a result of the poor food choices. Our nation is plagued with serious physical issues like the increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, cholesterol and other health-related complications – all resulting from poor eating choices. This situation has a serious ripple effect that extends beyond our waistlines. They affect our day-to-day lives and cost millions of dollars in healthcare annually.
Issues like the economy, foreign affairs and tax reform are very important, but if we don’t live long enough to enjoy the benefits of living in this great nation, then what is the point?
But don’t just take my word for it, read the statistics below for yourself:
High cholesterol is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the CDC. It affects about 71 million American adults
Research from the State of Obesity in America notes that 20 States have an obesity rate of 30% or higher, a staggering number that keeps getting larger every year.
According to the American Diabetes Association, 86 million U.S. residents ages 20 and older have prediabetes, which with the right timing and lifestyle changes this disease can prolong diabetes and possibly avoided altogether.
The CDC notes that High blood pressure costs the nation $46 billion each year which includes: the cost of health care services, medications to treat high blood pressure, and missed days of work.
These statistics are just the tip of the iceberg.
Everyone knows how to eat better in theory. But theory isn’t working. My campaign will focus on reeducating Americans on how to practice eating better – including simple substitutions that won’t sacrifice taste.
Together, we can Make America Healthy Again!
Silva's running-mate was his brother, Richard. Salon writer David Freedlander, in an article entitled "A manly, muscular business pioneer is running for president — but wait, no, not that one : Meet the incoherent outsider businessman running for president: Muscle Maker Grill entrepreneur Rod Silva" (Sept. 17, 2016) looked into the Nutrition Party VP situation--
So far, he has raised no money, hired no staff and is on the ballot in one state (Colorado). He founded his own political party, the Nutrition Party, a name he picked, he told me, because like Muscle Maker Grill, it is stupid enough to stick in your memory. As his running mate he picked his brother, Richard Silva, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida, doctor who, when reached by phone, wouldn’t cop to being on the ticket, only saying that he was a “supporting actor” in the campaign.
“He’s my doctor, he’s my knowledge guy,” Rod Silva said. “I’m the leader guy, the brains guy, the guy who can drive initiatives, who leads, who can lead.”
One obvious philosophical trait shared by the brothers was an emphasis on preventative medicine.
Other brother tickets have included: Larry Brant Sargeant/Perry David Sargeant - American Freedom Party (1976), Lowell Jackson Fellure/James Monroe Fellure - Independent (2000), Diddley Squat V/Bupkes - Hamster Party (2004), Keith Russell Judd/Monty Wayne Judd - Nonpartisan (2008), Randal Gene Trackwell/Byron Lee Trackwell - Bullmoose Progressive Party (2008), Theodore Cleaver/Wallace Cleaver - Give America the Business Party (2008), Diddley Squat/Squit Squat - Hamster Party (2012), Robert John Burck/Kenneth Robert Burck Jr. - Tea Party (2012), Richard Skeen McCormick/Stephen Albert McCormick - KIS Party (2012), Jerry D. Litzel/Jim J. Litzel (twins) - Independent (2012), Kevin M. Thorne/Colin Henry Thorne (twins) - Independent (2012), Michael Shawn Olkowski/Daniel Edward Olkowski - Independent (2016), Micah A. Payeur/Joshua Herman Payeur - Independent (2016), and William Martin Ling/Robert E. Ling - Independent (2016).
The Silva/Silva ticket appeared on the ballot only in Colorado, where they placed 13th out of 22 printed candidates and 6 write-ins.
Election history: none
Other occupations: Physician, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Notes:
The parents of the Silva brothers were immigrants from Brazil.
