Daryl Boyce Hanson

Hanson in 1975

Daryl Boyce Hanson, August 22, 1935 (Minot, ND) -

VP candidate for Reform Party of the United States of America (aka Reform Party) (1996)

Running mate with nominee: Henry Ross Perot (1930-2019)
Popular vote: 32,515 (0.03%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Riding on the momentum of his historic third party wave of 1992, Ross Perot formed the Reform Party of the United States of America in 1995. He originally declined to run for the Presidency himself, leaving a vacancy for the nomination. Although several politicians toyed with the idea, it was former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm, a Democrat, who threw his hat into the ring. He even selected a running-mate, Ed Zschau, a former US Congressman who represented California, and a Republican.

But it was not to be. The ever unpredictable Perot decided he wanted the nomination after all, and defeated Lamm in a very lopsided primary race which was held via mail-in ballots. Perot's action caused the first of many rifts in the embryonic party which made their odds more insurmountable than ever.

The Reform Party's 1996 platform was vaguely centrist, with a focus on economics. It avoided hot button issues like abortion, Gay rights, and capital punishment. Some have called the Reform Party philosophy of this era "producerist," appealing to the economic middle class.

An odd alliance took place when Lenora Fulani and Fred Newman, former leaders of the now defunct New Alliance Party, had sounded the call for their followers to work for Perot. In 1996 the two were part of the newly formed Patriot Party. Exactly what percentage of Reform Party volunteers consisted of former NAP members has never really been determined, but their presence was a bit controversial since several critics considered the New Alliance Party to have been a cult.

The Independence Party of New York affiliated with the Reform Party during the 1996 election.

Finding a professional politician to serve as VP came to a fizzle. Names bandied about the press included David Boren, Sam Nunn, Warren Rudman, Marcy Kaptur, and Linda Smith.

Perot named Pat Choate as his official running-mate on Sept. 10, 1996. A protectionist on the subject of free trade, Choate was Perot's coach during the 1993 NAFTA debate with Al Gore. Dr. Choate had worked for Republican state and federal administrations as an economic advisor, supported Al Gore for President in 1988 and then contributed funds to Pat Buchanan's Presidential runs in 1992 and 1996.

Unfortunately for the Reform Party, the major parties learned their lesson from allowing Perot to participate in the Presidential debates in 1992. Try as they might, neither Perot or Choate were allowed to take part in 1996. Seeing a Choate-Kemp-Gore VP debate would have been a very interesting discussion between three well-spoken policy wonks.

Due to Choate being named as a running-mate so late in the game, he was listed with Perot on the ballot in 35 states + DC. The remaining states had the names of two stand-in VPs.

Daryl Hanson, a retired savings and loan executive, was a Reform Party activist based in Fargo, ND. Apparently he was the stand-in VP with Perot in North Dakota for 1996, although finding primary source documentation to confirm this is difficult.

Overall Perot won 8,085,402 popular votes (8.40%). The Perot/Hanson ticket won an impressive 12.20% of the popular vote in the state where, as one NoDak told me, the state tree is the telephone pole and the state bird is the mosquito.

Election history: none

Other occupations: North Dakota director of United We Stand, savings and loan executive, Chairman of the ND Reform Party

Notes:
Was not enthusiastic about Pat Buchanan in the Reform Party in 2000.

James S. Campbell

James S. Campbell, March, 1927 - 

VP candidate for Reform Party of the United States of America (aka Reform Party aka Independent) (1996)

Running mate with nominee: Henry Ross Perot (1930-2019)
Popular vote: 2,837,369 (2.95%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Riding on the momentum of his historic third party wave of 1992, Ross Perot formed the Reform Party of the United States of America in 1995. He originally declined to run for the Presidency himself, leaving a vacancy for the nomination. Although several politicians toyed with the idea, it was former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm, a Democrat, who threw his hat into the ring. He even selected a running-mate, Ed Zschau, a former US Congressman who represented California, and a Republican.

But it was not to be. The ever unpredictable Perot decided he wanted the nomination after all, and defeated Lamm in a very lopsided primary race which was held via mail-in ballots. Perot's action caused the first of many rifts in the embryonic party which made their odds more insurmountable than ever.

The Reform Party's 1996 platform was vaguely centrist, with a focus on economics. It avoided hot button issues like abortion, Gay rights, and capital punishment. Some have called the Reform Party philosophy of this era "producerist," appealing to the economic middle class.

An odd alliance took place when Lenora Fulani and Fred Newman, former leaders of the now defunct New Alliance Party, had sounded the call for their followers to work for Perot. In 1996 the two were part of the newly formed Patriot Party. Exactly what percentage of Reform Party volunteers consisted of former NAP members has never really been determined, but their presence was a bit controversial since several critics considered the New Alliance Party to have been a cult.

The Independence Party of New York affiliated with the Reform Party during the 1996 election.

Finding a professional politician to serve as VP came to a fizzle. Names bandied about the press included David Boren, Sam Nunn, Warren Rudman, Marcy Kaptur, and Linda Smith.

Perot named Pat Choate as his official running-mate on Sept. 10, 1996. A protectionist on the subject of free trade, Choate was Perot's coach during the 1993 NAFTA debate with Al Gore. Dr. Choate had worked for Republican state and federal administrations as an economic advisor, supported Al Gore for President in 1988 and then contributed funds to Pat Buchanan's Presidential runs in 1992 and 1996.

Unfortunately for the Reform Party, the major parties learned their lesson from allowing Perot to participate in the Presidential debates in 1992. Try as they might, neither Perot or Choate were allowed to take part in 1996. Seeing a Choate-Kemp-Gore VP debate would have been a very interesting discussion between three well-spoken policy wonks.

Due to Choate being named as a running-mate so late in the game, he was listed with Perot on the ballot in 35 states + DC. The remaining states had the names of two stand-in VPs.

On Election Day stand-in VP James S. Campbell was still on the ballot with Perot in 14 states. Another stand-in, Carl Owenby, had his name replaced by Choate's by the time the ballots were printed. Campbell, who was based in the Los Angeles area, told the press, "I'm a friend of Ross Perot's and he needs stand-ins for some states in order to petition to get on the ballot." Owenby was more detailed, "Mine is strictly a name on a piece of paper as a stand-in until the party can nominate their presidential and vice-presidential candidates ... I have never been interested in running for any political office. The older I get, it diminishes below zero."

Campbell had been Perot's boss at IBM over three decades earlier. By 1996 Campbell was a well known figure in the growing field of online technology and at the time of the election was associated with Rational Software, Management Partners International Corporation, and Applied Voice Technology.

Overall Perot won 8,085,402 popular votes (8.40%). The Perot/Campbell ticket accounted for about 1/3 of that with 2.95%. Best 10 states with Campbell: Maine 14.19% (Perot's strongest showing in 1996), Montana 13.56%, Ohio 10.66%, Indiana 10.50%, Missouri 10.06%, South Dakota 9.65%, Oregon 8.80%, Kansas 8.62%, Iowa 8.52%, California 6.96%.

Election history: none

Other occupations: IBM marketing manager, emerging technology executive, consultant

Notes:
In South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas the ticket was listed as "Independent" rather than "Reform Party."

Pat Choate

Pat Choate, April 27, 1941 (Maypearl, Tex.) -

VP candidate for Reform Party of the United States of America (aka Reform Party aka Independent aka Unaffiliated aka Independence Party of New York) (1996)

Running mate with nominee: Henry Ross Perot (1930-2019)
Popular vote: 5,215,818 (5.42%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Riding on the momentum of his historic third party wave of 1992, Ross Perot formed the Reform Party of the United States of America in 1995. He originally declined to run for the Presidency himself, leaving a vacancy for the nomination. Although several politicians toyed with the idea, it was former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm, a Democrat, who threw his hat into the ring. He even selected a running-mate, Ed Zschau, a former US Congressman who represented California, and a Republican.

But it was not to be. The ever unpredictable Perot decided he wanted the nomination after all, and defeated Lamm in a very lopsided primary race which was held via mail-in ballots. Perot's action caused the first of many rifts in the embryonic party which made their odds more insurmountable than ever.

The Reform Party's 1996 platform was vaguely centrist, with a focus on economics. It avoided hot button issues like abortion, Gay rights, and capital punishment. Some have called the Reform Party philosophy of this era "producerist," appealing to the economic middle class.

An odd alliance took place when Lenora Fulani and Fred Newman, former leaders of the now defunct New Alliance Party, had sounded the call for their followers to work for Perot. In 1996 the two were part of the newly formed Patriot Party. Exactly what percentage of Reform Party volunteers consisted of former NAP members has never really been determined, but their presence was a bit controversial since several critics considered the New Alliance Party to have been a cult.

The Independence Party of New York affiliated with the Reform Party during the 1996 election.

Finding a professional politician to serve as VP came to a fizzle. Names bandied about the press included David Boren, Sam Nunn, Warren Rudman, Marcy Kaptur, and Linda Smith.

Perot named Pat Choate as his official running-mate on Sept. 10, 1996. A protectionist on the subject of free trade, Choate was Perot's coach during the 1993 NAFTA debate with Al Gore. Dr. Choate had worked for Republican state and federal administrations as an economic advisor, supported Al Gore for President in 1988 and then contributed funds to Pat Buchanan's Presidential runs in 1992 and 1996.

The infomercial Perot used to introduce Choate included the following dialogue:

Perot: I needed someone who's a fighter, someone who knows the facts cold, a person of integrity and grit. Pat, you're just the person to make this thing work.

Choate: I'm honored, Ross. I'll give it my all. I know Washington. Too many people profit at the public's expense. We'll have a campaign of ideas, choices and solutions.

Perot: Thomas Jefferson must be smiling down on you.

Choate: We're going to win.

Perot: Gonna have fun.

Regarding Choate's selection as VP, CNN commented: It's hard to see what political benefit Choate brings to Perot's ticket. It's certainly not name recognition, certainly not political experience and certainly not business experience. The man who once exclaimed "Policy! That's what my career is about" has never held nor sought elective office and never run a business. He even -- horror! -- violates Perot's longstanding pet peeve that no employees wear a beard. Choate, portly and professorial, sports an impressive shock of facial hair.

Although perhaps not a household name, Choate's selection did not harm the ticket which in itself is an accomplishment for running-mates.

Unfortunately for the Reform Party, the major parties learned their lesson from allowing Perot to participate in the Presidential debates in 1992. Try as they might, neither Perot or Choate were allowed to take part in 1996. Seeing a Choate-Kemp-Gore VP debate would have been a very interesting discussion between three well-spoken policy wonks.

Due to Choate being named as a running-mate so late in the game, he was listed with Perot on the ballot in 35 states + DC. The remaining states had the names of two stand-in VPs.

Overall Perot won 8,085,402 popular votes (8.40%). The Perot/Choate ticket accounted for about 2/3 of that with 5.42%. Best 10 states: Idaho 12.71%, Wyoming 12.25%, Vermont 12.00%, Minnesota 11.75%, West Virginia 11.26%, Rhode Island 11.20%, Alaska 10.90%, Oklahoma 10.84%, Delaware 10.60%, and Nebraska 10.52%.

Election history: none

Other occupations: US Army, economist, author, radio host, teacher

Notes:
Ph.D. in Economics from University of Oklahoma.

Sidney Rigdon

Sidney Rigdon, February 19, 1793 (St. Clair Township, Penn.) – July 14, 1876 (Friendship, NY)

VP candidate for Reform Party 1844

Running mate with nominee: Joseph Smith (1805-1844)
Popular vote: 0        
Electoral vote: 0/275

The campaign:
Historians of all stripes debate the motives of why Joseph Smith, who is considered a prophet by those in the Mormon faith, would ever run for President. Had he lived, the Reform Party of 1844 would no doubt have changed the tone of that election season.

The plans were set early in the year. On May 17, 1844 a convention was held in the LDS city of Nauvoo, Ill. nominating Smith with Sidney Rigdon for Vice-president. A more formal national convention was planned for Baltimore on July 13. Over 200 "electioneer missionaries" were sent to all 26 states, including nearly everyone in the top LDS echelon. As far as minor political parties go, this one was well organized but also created intense reactions. Reform Party political conventions in Boston, Mass. and Dresden, Tenn. sparked riots.

The Reform Party platform included "compensated emancipation," creation of a national bank, moderate tariffs, downsizing the federal government including reducing the number of representatives in the US House, open borders, abolish prisons, invite Canada and Mexico to join the US, annexing Texas, California and Oregon. The Party's Latin campaign slogan, "Super hanc petram aedificabo" roughly translates to "Upon this rock."

While Rigdon and most of the other Mormon inner circle were spread around the nation starting the electioneering, Smith was killed by a mob in Carthage, Ill. on June 27, 1844, ending the campaign and creating a leadership vacuum which resulted in a power struggle known as a classic "Succession Crisis." By Election Day 1844 the Reform Party had dissolved and the Church had split into several schisms, one of them being led by Sidney Rigdon who was initially based in Pittsburgh, Penn.

Election history: none

Other occupations: Baptist minister, tanner, Postmaster of Nauvoo, Ill.,

Buried: Maple Grove Cemetery (Friendship, NY)

Notes:
Converted to the Mormon faith in 1830.
Although Rigdon and Joseph Smith shared the bond of being jailed, tarred and feathered they also had a contentious relationship as the LDS Church was being formed.
Rigdon was Smith's third choice as a running mate.
Rigdon remains a controversial figure in LDS history to this day