Eric D. Decker

 

Eric D. Decker, January 12, 1997 (California) -

VP candidate for Socialist Labor Party (2020)

Running mate with nominee: Mack William Kitchel (b. 1978)
Popular vote: 0 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Mack Kitchel of Georgia, or someone claiming to be him, filed with the FEC for US President under the banner of the Socialist Labor Party on Aug. 14, 2019. His Vice-President was listed as Eric Decker of Atlanta.

The SLP apparently still exists but they have not run a Presidential candidate since 1976 and pretty much shut down all operations in 2008-2011. But don't get too excited, the electioneering was a hoax. There exists a video on Youtube by Decker that chronicles the origin of the campaign as a prank.

The Youtube, posted by "Airrack" on Aug. 23, 2019 follows Decker as he initially thought about running for President himself, only to discover he was below the Constitutionally mandated age of 35. So then he decided to file the name of his friend, Mack Kitchel, as a prank. In the following order, Decker took these steps as he rode around on his skateboard--

Invented a slogan: Vote for Mack or Get Your Money Back (Decker exclaimed, "It doesn't even make sense.")
Repaired a brochure rack he found in the trash.
Ordered campaign t-shirts.
Created campaign pamphlets.
Created campaign wristbands.
Registered Kitchel with the FEC.
Hired actors to be an adoring campaign throng.
Create yard signs and placed them around town.
Surprised Kitchel with a rally and faux news reporter (Decker).

When faced with the final step, Kitchel rolled with it seamlessly as he went out on the street offering to buy votes for as low as 5 bucks a head. My favorite quote from Kitchel in these exchanges, "Be careful to balance the trickiness of how tricky it is to balance," clearly demonstrating that he has a future in politics should he decide to follow that path.

As it was the Kitchel/Decker campaigned appeared to have evaporated rather quickly. Decker's age would have been an obstacle in attaining office in the event of their victory.

Election history: none

Other occupations: video creator, comedian, Youtube personality

Notes:
I miss the presence of the Socialist Labor Party. They were still on the ballot in my early years of voting.

Michelle Marie Tidball

 

Michelle Marie Tidball, January 1, 1963 (San Diego County, Calif.) -

VP candidate for Birthday Party (aka Non Affiliated aka Independent aka Unaffiliated aka No Party) (2020)

Running mate with nominee: Kanye Omari West (b. 1977)
Popular vote: 71,079 (0.04%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Entertainer Kanye West, who had been identified as a pro-Trump Christian conservative in recent years, announced he was running for President on July 4, 2020. Giving his address as Cody, Wyo., he filed with the FEC under the Birthday Party on July 16, 2020. His running mate was also from Cody, a Biblical life coach, dental office worker, and self-proclaimed servant of God named Michelle Tidball.

Tidball had an autobiography on her commercial webpage that had been removed by the time of the campaign--

I had my first encounter with God as six months old when my mother awoke to find that I was slipping away into a crib death. In a hospital tent God first visited me and spoke life and destiny which I can still recall today. My childhood consisted of visitations and atmospheric encounters. Being raised in the church I loved God, encountered Him, but wanted to know more. At seventeen I had an encounter in the heavenly realms and made a decision to serve Him all the days of my life. The first thing God did was teach me about His Sabbath, Feasts, and Word!  I began walking in His cycles and began to know and understand.

I have various degrees in mental health and criminal justice. I worked as a mental health therapist for ten years and then shifted into life coaching. This seemed a good transition helping people get “unstuck” in their lives using biblical principles and prophetic insight. I use this as well to help sons who are “stuck” and are not encountering God as they were designed to.

I have been involved in almost all aspects of ministry including speaking, pastoring, prayer, teaching, and the most time spent in bringing deliverance to those who are in bondage. My heart has always been to walk in the fullness of sonship and to bring others into manifesting their sonship – to be about His business and see the completion of things He mandated before the foundations of the world.

I look forward to bringing the word with experience and practical counsel on walking as brilliant sons manifested upon the earth!

Shalom!

Michelle

For the most part Tidball remained elusive to the media and took little part in the electioneering.

West's official platform was released on his campaign website--

Kanye West Presidential Platform

1. Restore faith and revive our Constitutional commitment to freedom of religion and the free exercise of one’s faith, demonstrated by restoring prayer in the classroom including spiritual foundations.

We will not hide the truth from our children, but will declare to the next generation His praises and wonder. Psalm 78:4

2. Restore the sound national economy. Reduce household debt and student loan debt.

God has plans to give us hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

3. Provide leadership to restructure our country’s education system to serve the most at-risk and vulnerable populations allowing the widest possible range of educational and vocational paths to job opportunities and career success.

Direct your children on the right path. Proverbs 22:6

4. Maintain a strong national defense, fully prepared, but not so quick to tie up our country’s young men and women in foreign quagmires that do not advance our national interest, and which last for decades.

Through God we shall do valiantly. Psalm 60:12

5. Reform the legal system to provide true justice, equitable for all citizens, regardless of race or ability to defend oneself in court. Recognize the disparity in verdicts and prison sentences, caused by the lack of financial resources or legal assistance.

There will not be differing weights and differing measures. Proverbs 20:10

6. Reform the approach to policing in a manner that treats all Americans the same, regardless of race, color, or ethnicity. Refocus police forces on real crime. Eliminate federal sentencing guidelines that tie the hands of judges, resulting in ridiculous sentences for the most minor offenses.

We will speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Proverbs 31:8

7. Take care of the environment, diligently pursuing clean air and water as a national security priority and making renewables top priority.

The past is forgotten and everything can be new 2 Corinthians 5:17
8. Ensure that we always place Americans’ best interest first and foremost in dealing with foreign affairs. We must project strength, not aggression. We want trust, but we must also verify. We want fair trade, not one-sided deals that hurt American workers.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

9. Support faith-based groups to provide vital local services, giving communities a shared purpose in government.

We will provide ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works Hebrews 10:24

10. Creativity and the Arts can be an important source of innovation and development of other national strengths and resources.

He has given them skill in all kinds of work done. Exodus 35:35

As the campaign began it was apparent West knew a lot more about how to gain publicity than he did about the basic workings of government. On July 8 he had a long interview with Forbes which was used a reference point until Election Day. Some quotes--

I would run as a Republican if Trump wasn’t there. I will run as an independent if Trump is there.

Trump is the closest president we’ve had in years to allowing God to still be part of the conversation.

One of the main reasons I wore the red hat as a protest to the segregation of votes in the Black community. Also, other than the fact that I like Trump hotels and the saxophones in the lobby.

One time I talked to Jared Kushner, who was saying, ‘We don’t have Black leaders, we just have hustlers.’ Why? Because they killed all the Black leaders.

That is a form of racism and white supremacy and white control to say that all Black people need to be Democrat and to assume that me running is me splitting the vote. All of that information is being charged up on social media platforms by Democrats. And Democrats used to tell me, the same Democrats have threatened me. . . . The reason why this is the first day I registered to vote is because I was scared. I was told that if I voted on Trump my music career would be over. I was threatened into being in one party. I was threatened as a celebrity into being in one party. I was threatened as a Black man into the Democratic party. And that’s what the Democrats are doing, emotionally, to my people. Threatening them to the point where this white man can tell a Black man if you don’t vote for me, you’re not Black.

Let’s see if the appointing is at 2020 or if it’s 2024—because God appoints the president. If I win in 2020 then it was God’s appointment. If I win in 2024 then that was God’s appointment.

It’s so many of our children that are being vaccinated and paralyzed. . . . So when they say the way we’re going to fix Covid is with a vaccine, I’m extremely cautious. That’s the mark of the beast. They want to put chips inside of us, they want to do all kinds of things, to make it where we can’t cross the gates of heaven. I'm sorry when I say they, the humans that have the Devil inside them. And the sad thing is that, the saddest thing is that we all won’t make it to heaven, that there’ll be some of us that do not make it. Next question.

God just gave me the clarity and said it’s time. You know I was out there, ended up in the hospital, people were calling me crazy. I'm not crazy. Between all of the influences and the positions that we can be put in as musicians—you go on tour, you put out all these albums, and you look up and you don’t have any money in your account. It can drive you crazy, through all of that I was looking crazy because it wasn’t the time. Now it’s time. And we’re not going crazy, we’re going Yeezy, it’s a whole ‘notha level now. N-O-T-H-A.

I don’t know if I would use the word ‘policy’ for the way I would approach things. I don’t have a policy when I went to Nike and designed Yeezy and went to Louis and designed a Louis Vuitton at the same time. It wasn’t a policy, it was a design. We need to innovate the design to be able to free the mind at this time.

A lot of Africans do not like the movie [Black Panther] and representation of themselves in…Wakanda. But I’m gonna use the framework of Wakanda right now because it’s the best explanation of what our design group is going to feel like in the White House…That is a positive idea: you got Kanye West, one of the most powerful humans—I’m not saying the most because you got a lot of alien-level superpowers and it’s only collectively that we can set it free. Let’s get back to Wakanda . . . like in the movie in Wakanda when the king went to visit that lead scientist to have the shoes wrap around her shoes. Just the amount of innovation that can happen, the amount of innovation in medicine—like big pharma—we are going to work, innovate, together. This is not going to be some Nipsey Hussle being murdered, they’re doing a documentary, we have so many soldiers that die for our freedom, our freedom of information, that there is a cure for AIDS out there, there is going to be a mix of big pharma and holistic.

West had registered to vote for the first time in his life at the same time he announced. Even with the backing of Elon Musk and several Republican operatives, West's attempt to gain ballot access in several states was something of a debacle. Missed deadlines and suspicious petition signatures were part of the problem.

The candidate found himself frequently defending his campaign against charges that he was either in the race for commercial self-promotion, or, was a Trump-backed ringer designed to draw votes away from Biden.

There was also a weird sideshow that began in mid-August--

The far Right and Christian-based American Independent Party in California, which had nominated Trump/Pence in 2016, chose Rocky De La Fuente as their nominee, who was already the nominee of the Alliance and Reform parties. But De La Fuente's running-mate Darcy Richardson was bumped as the VP and replaced with Kanye West. Apparently this VP choice was accomplished without input from any of the nominees. De La Fuente said, "I was not consulted to see if I wanted Mr. West as my running mate ... Obviously, we're a weird—and I wanted Mr. Richardson as my running mate—but it was their decision and their decision only."

De La Fuente had entered the AIP primary in Mar. 2020, but came in second to Phil Collins, who was also the Prohibition Party nominee for President.

The Independent Political Report quoted Darcy Richardson--

“Please let Rocky know that if he runs with the unstable, bi-polar Trump-loving Kanye West in California that I will withdraw as his vice-presidential running mate nationally,” Richardson declared in a text message to [AIP official Mark] Seidenberg earlier today. “I’ve spent my entire adult life battling the duopoly and certainly DO NOT want my name associated with a candidacy that peripherally includes a Trump/GOP plant like the unhinged rapper….Bill Shearer must be rolling over in his grave.”

It should be noted that Richardson did remain in the race, or at that was my impression when I posted our interview Oct. 6, 2020. In it he said--

Rocky and I are on the ballot in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vermont.  We also hope to be official write-in candidates in a couple of dozen states.

Rocky is also on the ballot in populous California where --- much to my chagrin --- he's paired with unhinged, pro-Trump rapper Kanye West on the American Independent Party ticket, a remnant of segregationist George Wallace's 1968 presidential campaign.

https://thirdpartysecondbananas.blogspot.com/2020/10/darcy-richardson-2020-vp-alliance-party.html

West was also not pleased with being nominated VP, calling the AIP "deceitful" and issued a statement that included, "I am campaigning to be the next president of our great country — not vice president ... The political party in California that listed my name as its VP candidate has done so without my knowledge ... Californians, I ask for your vote for president and urge you to write in ‘Kanye West.’"

The De La Fuente/West ticket placed 5th out of the 6 positions on the California ballot with 0.34% of the vote in that state. It was by far De La Fuente's largest bloc of votes nationally.

Back to the Birthday Party vote tally-- West was on the ballot in a dozen states and registered as a write-in a dozen more. His strongest results: Utah 0.48%, Idaho 0.42%, Oklahoma 0.36%, Arkansas and Tennessee and Vermont 0.34% each, Kentucky 0.30%, Mississippi 0.28%, Colorado 0.25%. Amazingly, the West/Tidnall ticket finished in 7th place, ahead of several longtime third parties such as the Constitution and Socialist Workers parties.

West has been teasing a run for 2024.

Election history: none

Other occupations: therapist, life coach, dental officer worker, pastor

Notes:
She has had numerous surnames over the years but Tidball seems to be her name at birth.

Leonard Peltier

 

Leonard Peltier, September 12, 1944 (Belcourt, N.D.) -

VP candidate for Party for Socialism and Liberation (aka Peace and Freedom Party) (2020)

Running mate with nominee: Gloria Estela La Riva (b. 1954)
Popular vote: 9,506 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

2020 was the 4th national election for the young party, and in three of those the standard bearer was Gloria La Riva. Her running-mate was Leonard Peltier.

Peltier, a Turtle Mountain Chippewa who was previously active in the American Indian Movement (AIM) had been in prison since 1977. He was convicted of aiding and abetting the 1975 shooting at point blank range of a couple of FBI agents at the Pine Ridge Reservation, SD. Peltier became a fugitive but was arrested a couple months later in Alberta. His case quickly drew controversy while gaining supporters contending he is a political prisoner and the "Free Leonard Peltier" movement was born.

In 2004 Peltier was the Presidential nominee of the Peace and Freedom Party.

La Riva ran on a platform of 10 points, as she did in 2016--

The PSL’s 2020 Ten Point
Socialist Campaign Program

★ 1 |  Make the essentials of life into constitutional rights
The U.S. has more than enough so that all the essentials of life — food, housing, water, education, health care and a job or basic income can be guaranteed rights — rather than distributed only for profit. Create a completely free and public healthcare system. Make education free—cancel all student debt. Fully fund rebuilding of the infrastructure in transport, water and utility systems. Stop all foreclosures and evictions. End all discrimination based on ability/disability.

★ 2 |  For the Earth to live, capitalism must be replaced by a socialist system
Global warming, pollution, acidified and depleted oceans, fracking, critical drought, plastics choking the seas, nuclear weapons and waste — it is clear that capitalism and production for profit are destroying the planet and threatening all life. The crisis is already here, with the most vulnerable and oppressed areas of the U.S. and Global South bearing the brunt. Using truly sustainable energy and seizing the oil and coal companies to stop fossil fuel pollution, are urgent steps needed to reverse climate change. Ultimately, only the socialist reorganization of society can assure the future of the people and the planet.

★ 3 |  End racism, police brutality and mass incarceration-Pay reparations to the African American community
Mass incarceration and racist policing are symptomatic of the 400 years of brutal repression meted out to African-descended peoples in the U.S. and the genocide committed against the Native nations. Reparations must be paid to the African American and Native communities! More than 2.2 million people are behind bars in the largest prison complex in the world. End mass incarceration of oppressed and all working class people. Fully prosecute all acts of police brutality and violence. Free Leonard Peltier, Mumia Abu-Jamal and all political prisoners!

★ 4 |  Full rights for all immigrants
Abolish all anti-immigrant laws. Stop the raids and deportations and demonization of immigrants. Shut down ICE and the concentration camps and reunite families. The government’s war on immigrants must end. The border wall must be dismantled. Amnesty and citizenship for those without documents. Full rights for all!

★ 5 |  Shut down all U.S. military bases around the world—bring all the troops, planes & ships home
U.S. foreign policy uses the pretext of national security to enforce the imperialist interests of the biggest banks and corporations. That is what is behind the endless wars and occupations. Use the $1 trillion military budget instead to provide for people’s needs here and worldwide. Abolish nuclear weapons. Stop U.S. aid to Israel. Self-determination for the Palestinian people, including the right of return. End the U.S. blockade of Cuba and sanctions against Venezuela, Iran and all countries. Independence for Puerto Rico and cancel its debt!

★ 6 |  Honor Native treaties. Free Leonard Peltier now
Both major parties have continued to allow the destruction of Native lands by mining and corporate agricultural interests in blatant disregard of indigenous sovereign rights. 33% of Native children live in poverty and many of America's poorest counties are reservations. The crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and the over-incarceration of Native peoples shows the bankruptcy of capitalism from its earliest inception in the Americas until today.
 
★ 7 |  Full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people
Fight back against anti-LGBTQ discrimination and violence. Defend marriage equality. Full equality in all matters governed by civil law, including employment, housing, healthcare and education. No to “religious exemption” laws that allow discrimination against LGBTQ people!
 
★ 8 |  Equality for women and free, safe, legal abortion on demand
Stop the attack on women’s reproductive rights and defend Roe v. Wade. Women must have the fundamental right to choose & control their own bodies. Women still earn 22 percent less than men, and the gap is even more severe for Black and Latina women. Close the wage gap and end the gender division of labor.

★ 9 |  Defend and expand our unions
Support the right of all workers to have a union. Fight back against the attacks on collective bargaining. Require employers to recognize card check union votes. Repeal the Taft-Hartley Act. Focusing on low-wage worker organizing, rebuild a fighting labor movement.

★ 10 |  Takeover the stolen wealth of the giant banks and corporations – Jail Wall St. criminals
The vast wealth of the giant banks and corporations is created by workers labor and the exploitation of the world’s diminishing natural resources. The billionaires looted and destroyed the economy. It is time to seize their assets and use those resources in the interests of the vast majority. Power must be taken out of the hands of the super rich, and Wall Street criminals must be jailed.
    
In May 2020 the ticket was also nominated by the Liberty Union Party in Vermont. LU had also selected La Riva in 2016. On the negative side one can find chatter from other Leftist groups who consider PSL to be "tankies" (i.e. Stalinists) in love with despotic regimes as well as being an undemocratic, nontransparent political party to the point of being a cult. There have been allegations for years that PSL has harbored and protected sexual predators and abusers within their ranks.

Peltier withdrew from the ticket on July 20, 2020. The Party's website ran this statement--

Leonard Peltier regretfully withdraws as vice-presidential candidate

The Gloria La Riva for President 2020 Campaign announced today that Leonard Peltier has been compelled to withdraw as our vice–presidential candidate. Leonard’s health has seriously deteriorated in recent weeks and the maximum security prison where he is confined in Florida does not have the medical facilities he requires. He urgently needs compassionate release or commutation of his sentence that has now stretched for 44 years, as well as immediate transfer to a medical facility for proper medical treatment. His legal team -- and we -- believes that all focus must be directed toward his health situation and legal matters before him.

The Party for Socialism and Liberation is deeply honored that Leonard accepted our vice-presidential nomination to run on a ticket with presidential candidate Gloria La Riva. From the start last September, Leonard, a true people’s hero, was enthusiastic about the campaign and remained so until his health and legal circumstances has forced him to withdraw.

The La Riva for President 2020 Campaign and the Party for Socialism and Liberation hold Leonard Peltier in the highest esteem and pledge to continue the struggle for his freedom and the medical attention he urgently needs.

In a message regarding his withdrawal to Gloria La Riva on July 29, 2020, Leonard wrote: 

I know this is a huge disappointment to you as it is mine, that I have to drop out of the campaign with Gloria La Riva. My medical problems are not getting any better. I need to try to get home or at least closer. If so, it would be easier to get out. So please, forgive me if I have disappointed any of you. I did not intend to. Nor was I dropping out because I did not believe in it. I'm seriously hurting. Just know I love you young people who support me. You're awesome. Thank you for your support and love.

"Doksha, Leonard Peltier”

The PSL 2020 vice-presidential candidate will be Washington DC-based long-time activist and fighter for justice Sunil Freeman.

For the second time in a row the Peace and Freedom Party in California nominated La Riva for President, soundly defeating Howie Hawkins' bid.

Ever since the 2008 election the Party's popular vote result has been steadily rising. Their combined 2020 vote was 86,239, finishing in 6th place after the Libertarian, Green, and Alliance parties. 9,506 of those votes were for the La Riva/Peltier ticket in Illinois (0.13%), Minnesota (0.04%) where his name remained in the ballot, and in Texas (0.00%) as the official write-in VP.

The La Riva/Freeman ticket saw their strongest percentages in California (0.29%), District of Columbia (0.25%), New Mexico (0.18%), Rhode Island (0.16%), Washington (0.12%), and Arkansas (0.11%).

Election history:
2004 - US President (Peace and Freedom Party) - defeated

Other occupations: welder, construction worker, auto body shop, activist, author

Notes:
Washington State trivia alert!!!-- Peltier was co-owner of an auto body shop in Seattle ca1965-1972.
 In July 2000 the Washington State Democratic Party passed a resolution in support of executive
 clemency for Peltier.

Sunil K. Freeman

 

Sunil K. Freeman, January 28, 1955 (Raleigh, N.C.) -

VP candidate for Party for Socialism and Liberation (aka Peace and Freedom Party aka Independent aka Unaffiliated aka Liberty Union Party) (2020)

Running mate with nominee: Gloria Estela La Riva (b. 1954)
Popular vote: 76,733 (0.05%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

2020 was the 4th national election for the young party, and in three of those the standard bearer was Gloria La Riva. Her running-mate was Leonard Peltier.

La Riva ran on a platform of 10 points, as she did in 2016--

The PSL’s 2020 Ten Point
Socialist Campaign Program

★ 1 |  Make the essentials of life into constitutional rights
The U.S. has more than enough so that all the essentials of life — food, housing, water, education, health care and a job or basic income can be guaranteed rights — rather than distributed only for profit. Create a completely free and public healthcare system. Make education free—cancel all student debt. Fully fund rebuilding of the infrastructure in transport, water and utility systems. Stop all foreclosures and evictions. End all discrimination based on ability/disability.

★ 2 |  For the Earth to live, capitalism must be replaced by a socialist system
Global warming, pollution, acidified and depleted oceans, fracking, critical drought, plastics choking the seas, nuclear weapons and waste — it is clear that capitalism and production for profit are destroying the planet and threatening all life. The crisis is already here, with the most vulnerable and oppressed areas of the U.S. and Global South bearing the brunt. Using truly sustainable energy and seizing the oil and coal companies to stop fossil fuel pollution, are urgent steps needed to reverse climate change. Ultimately, only the socialist reorganization of society can assure the future of the people and the planet.

★ 3 |  End racism, police brutality and mass incarceration-Pay reparations to the African American community
Mass incarceration and racist policing are symptomatic of the 400 years of brutal repression meted out to African-descended peoples in the U.S. and the genocide committed against the Native nations. Reparations must be paid to the African American and Native communities! More than 2.2 million people are behind bars in the largest prison complex in the world. End mass incarceration of oppressed and all working class people. Fully prosecute all acts of police brutality and violence. Free Leonard Peltier, Mumia Abu-Jamal and all political prisoners!

★ 4 |  Full rights for all immigrants
Abolish all anti-immigrant laws. Stop the raids and deportations and demonization of immigrants. Shut down ICE and the concentration camps and reunite families. The government’s war on immigrants must end. The border wall must be dismantled. Amnesty and citizenship for those without documents. Full rights for all!

★ 5 |  Shut down all U.S. military bases around the world—bring all the troops, planes & ships home
U.S. foreign policy uses the pretext of national security to enforce the imperialist interests of the biggest banks and corporations. That is what is behind the endless wars and occupations. Use the $1 trillion military budget instead to provide for people’s needs here and worldwide. Abolish nuclear weapons. Stop U.S. aid to Israel. Self-determination for the Palestinian people, including the right of return. End the U.S. blockade of Cuba and sanctions against Venezuela, Iran and all countries. Independence for Puerto Rico and cancel its debt!

★ 6 |  Honor Native treaties. Free Leonard Peltier now
Both major parties have continued to allow the destruction of Native lands by mining and corporate agricultural interests in blatant disregard of indigenous sovereign rights. 33% of Native children live in poverty and many of America's poorest counties are reservations. The crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and the over-incarceration of Native peoples shows the bankruptcy of capitalism from its earliest inception in the Americas until today.
 
★ 7 |  Full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people
Fight back against anti-LGBTQ discrimination and violence. Defend marriage equality. Full equality in all matters governed by civil law, including employment, housing, healthcare and education. No to “religious exemption” laws that allow discrimination against LGBTQ people!
 
★ 8 |  Equality for women and free, safe, legal abortion on demand
Stop the attack on women’s reproductive rights and defend Roe v. Wade. Women must have the fundamental right to choose & control their own bodies. Women still earn 22 percent less than men, and the gap is even more severe for Black and Latina women. Close the wage gap and end the gender division of labor.

★ 9 |  Defend and expand our unions
Support the right of all workers to have a union. Fight back against the attacks on collective bargaining. Require employers to recognize card check union votes. Repeal the Taft-Hartley Act. Focusing on low-wage worker organizing, rebuild a fighting labor movement.

★ 10 |  Takeover the stolen wealth of the giant banks and corporations – Jail Wall St. criminals
The vast wealth of the giant banks and corporations is created by workers labor and the exploitation of the world’s diminishing natural resources. The billionaires looted and destroyed the economy. It is time to seize their assets and use those resources in the interests of the vast majority. Power must be taken out of the hands of the super rich, and Wall Street criminals must be jailed.
    
In May 2020 the ticket was also nominated by the Liberty Union Party in Vermont. LU had also selected La Riva in 2016. On the negative side one can find chatter from other Leftist groups who consider PSL to be "tankies" (i.e. Stalinists) in love with despotic regimes as well as being an undemocratic, nontransparent political party to the point of being a cult. There have been allegations for years that PSL has harbored and protected sexual predators and abusers within their ranks.

Peltier withdrew from the ticket on July 20, 2020 citing ill health. He was replaced by Sunil Freeman. Freeman's biography was provided on the campaign website--

Sunil Freeman is a lifelong activist and cultural worker. He is the child of parents who met as workers at the refugee camp in Kurukshetra during the time of India's independence and partition. Growing up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington D.C., Sunil, along with his family, were active participants in the mass anti-Vietnam War movement, formative experiences that brought Sunil into solidarity with all the movements of the oppressed sweeping the world during that time.

Sunil, a poet and essayist, has contributed to and edited major literary journals. He joined the PSL in 2005 after becoming an organizer with the ANSWER Coalition in the anti-Iraq War movement. Sunil has participated in and organized dozens of events in opposition to US wars abroad, against the US blockade of Cuba, and against criminal sanctions levied by the US against a range of countries.

Sunil is also a disability rights activist working to make all aspects of society accessible to all. Sunil currently resides in Maryland and continues to be active in social justice issues of all kinds.

For the second time in a row the Peace and Freedom Party in California nominated La Riva for President, soundly defeating Howie Hawkins' bid.

Ever since the 2008 election the Party's popular vote result has been steadily rising. Their combined 2020 vote was 86,239, finishing in 6th place after the Libertarian, Green, and Alliance parties. 9,506 of those votes were for the La Riva/Peltier ticket in Illinois (0.13%) and Minnesota (0.04%) where his name remained in the ballot, and in Texas (0.00%) as the official write-in VP.

The La Riva/Freeman ticket saw their strongest percentages in California (0.29%), District of Columbia (0.25%), New Mexico (0.18%), Rhode Island (0.16%), Washington (0.12%), and Arkansas (0.11%).

Election history: none

Other occupations: poet, author, Assistant Director of the Writer's Center

Notes:
Freeman's father was an American Quaker, his mother born a citizen of India.

Karla Marie Ballard

 

Karla Marie Ballard, April 21, 1971 (Philadelphia, Penn.) -

VP candidate for Independent (aka American Shopping Party aka Unaffiliated aka No Party aka Freedom and Prosperity Party aka Independence Party of New York) (2020)

Running mate with nominee: Brock Jeffrey Pierce (b. 1980)
Popular vote: 49,720 (0.03%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Until Brock Pierce had announced his Presidential run I had never heard of him before. And once I started to read about how the former child movie actor became a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist I realized why. You see, I'm a guy who still uses a flip phone that cannot connect to Internet or even accept emojis as valid characters. I belong to no social networks. Most of my vast movie collection is in VHS format. Until recently my car was from the 20th century (now I drive a 2002 Honda which can still play my cassette audio tapes!). I have no tattoos or piercings (obscure pun not intended). The world of Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and internet gaming is beyond the comprehension of my caveman brain.

Using the slogan "Brock the Vote," Pierce announced his intention to run and filed with the FEC as an Independent in early July, 2020. Karla Ballard was added in the FEC filing later in the month as his VP.

The Philadelphia-based Ballard was a fellow entrepreneur with an interesting family backstory, claiming to be related to the infamous US Vice-President Aaron Burr. As Ballard explained to one reporter, "For many years there was talk that we were related to Burr. When the show 'Hamilton' came out, we did DNA testing, and the findings confirmed that we are in fact related to him. The family is now comfortable with it, and the Aaron Burr Association has been welcoming. We even have his family bible!" I'm not sure that being related to Burr is the best salesmanship, but it is the kind of trivia I enjoy.

Pierce was not without political baggage. He had past ties with toxic criminals and con artists such as Steve Bannon and Jeffrey Epstein. Pierce had survived and was cleared of allegations of child sexual abuse. He was also the subject of investigations on other legal matters. Most of his substantial political monetary contributions up to this point had been to Republicans such as Sen. Rubio, Sen. McCain, Gov. Perry, and tens of thousands to Trump's re-election effort as well as the Republican National Committee and National Right to Life Political Action Committee. This led to charges by some that Pierce was a ringer for Trump and his centrist Left rhetoric was designed to peel votes away from Biden.

In an interview with Pierce by The Daily Beast Sept. 23, 2020, the candidate inadvertently revealed he knew a lot more about technological innovation than he did about politics or government.

Pierce's platform as presented on his campaign webpage--

Re-legalizing Cannabis
We will pardon all individuals who have been charged with non-violent offenses related to cannabis and expunge their records.
We will work to end the prohibition of cannabis and fully legalize it.
We will reschedule cannabis to remove it from the DEA list of scheduled drugs and substances.
We will sign an executive order barring all federal agencies, particularly the Department of Justice, from pursuing any cases for crimes related to cannabis possession, use, or distribution.
We will renegotiate international treaties to facilitate the international and domestic legalization of cannabis.

Fiscal Policy
We will re-architect America’s economic and fiscal policies to benefit all Americans, rather than borrowing for the benefit of the elite.
We will balance America’s budget for the benefit of future generations.
We will implement regulations that open the financial markets to innovation that will provide alternative lending solutions.
We will work to end deficit spending and begin the process of eliminating the federal debt.

Universal Earned Income
We will establish a Universal Earned Income (UEI) for all Americans.
Universal Earned Income will be provided in equal amounts to every American as a monthly stipend.
Universal Earned Income will be funded by restructuring government programs and changing the structure of federal taxation to address the current gross misallocation of resources at the national level.
Universal Earned Income guarantees that all Americans will have their essential needs met as members of America’s political and economic system.
UEI will allow Americans to pursue work and careers that inspire them while increasing the value of their work and creating further abundance for all.

Healthcare
We will ensure affordable and effective healthcare for all Americans.
We will redesign America’s healthcare system to create win-win scenarios for companies and people through preventive care and treatments at reduced cost.
We will provide government grants for the development of technologies that allow our society to protect human life and prevent the unnecessary spread of Covid-19 and other diseases.
We will provide ethical and moral regulatory frameworks for the development of tools serving the interests of national healthcare, such as mental health reporting and contact tracing.
We will provide a non-emergency national mental health support line to make mental health services and support accessible to all Americans.

Criminal Justice Reform
We will end the “War on Drugs”
We will end asset forfeiture without a court order.
We will require police departments to have more transparent recruiting, longer, and more thorough training programs, as well as malpractice insurance.
We will require the use of body-cams by police while on duty.
We will require alternative emergency response options for non-violent incidents.

Technology & AI
We will ensure that America’s government is effectively educated in and able to govern current technologies for the benefit of all Americans.
We will use automation and AI to benefit all Americans.
We will ensure that suitable consumer devices and network access are provided to those who otherwise could not access the Internet.
We will ensure network neutrality and bar providers from blocking or slowing Internet content or offering “fast lanes”.
We will give Americans the right to opt out of non-essential, commercial uses of their data.

U.S. Currency Strategy
We will engage in actions to increase America’s economic liquidity.
We will ensure the highest level of transparency possible in our financial systems.
We will improve relations with all nations, including China and Russia.
We will ensure that the United States keeps pace with the emergence of digital currencies, including those from abroad.
We will ensure the healthy growth of America’s economy to the benefit of all Americans.

Your Body is Yours
We will ensure that adults have the sole right to grant or withhold consent to add things to their bodies.
We will ensure that adults have the sole right to grant or withhold consent to remove things from their body.
We will work to ensure that both explicit and implicit slavery are made illegal.

In the course of the campaign Pierce received the endorsement and/or nomination of the American Shopping Party and the Independence Party of New York.

On the ballot in 16 states with some added registered write-ins, the Pierce/Ballard ticket had their strongest results in Wyoming (0.79%), Idaho (0.32%), New York (0.26%), Alaska (0.23%), District of Columbia and Hawaii (0.20% each), Arkansas and Utah (0.18% each), Kentucky and Minnesota (0.17% each), and Oklahoma (0.16%). In Wyoming they finished in 4th place. Nationally they were 9th, behind the rapidly declining Constitution Party and ahead the equally rapidly rising American Solidarity Party.

In the fall of 2020 Pierce announced his intention to start a future new third party. In May 2021 he reflected, "I achieved everything that I was attempting to achieve: to understand the mechanics of the system. I didn't have a political background. There are a lot of ways to enter politics, a lot of ways that are probably safer and cheaper. But I chose to do the most accelerated version, which is to just go run for an elected office on a national platform, to understand what it takes. I viewed it as basic training."

Election history: none

Other occupations: entrepreneur, Co-Founder and CEO of YING, board member of Alliance for Women in Media, board member of Northern Virginia Community College, speaker, president of the National Urban League Young Professionals

Notes:
aka Karla Ballard Williams.

Darcy George Richardson

 

Darcy George Richardson, December 6, 1955 (Pittsburgh, Penn.) -  

VP candidate for Alliance Party (aka Independent aka Independent Republican aka Reform Party of the United States of America aka Natural Law Party aka Independence Party) (2020)

Running mate with nominee: Roque De La Fuente Guerra (b. 1954)
Popular vote: 28,098 (0.02%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Perennial candidate Rocky De La Fuente had an interesting year in 2020. He initially ran for the Republican Presidential nomination and at the same time entered the Republican primary for the 21st congressional district in California. In the latter race, his son was running in the primary as a Democrat. In all of these cases, victory proved elusive.

Although De La Fuente had initially filed with the FEC as a Republican on May 16, 2019 he went on to gain the Presidential nomination of the Alliance Party on Apr. 25, 2020. On June 20, 2020, the Reform Party also nominated De La Fuente, just as they had in 2016. The Natural Law Party jumped on board and backed his candidacy as well. His 2020 running-mate in each of these cases was Darcy Richardson.

Richardson has a long history with third parties, both as a candidate, political operative, and historian. He is the author of A Nation Divided: The 1968 Presidential Campaign (2002) as well as several works on the history of third parties in US politics. I must say I have consulted his research several times in the course of constructing this blog.

Richardson's fascinating career has included working with Eugene McCarthy during the former US Senator's final two runs for the Presidency in 1988 and 1992. Darcy was the National Chair of The New Democrats during that same time period. He has been a consistent champion and activist for challenging the Republican/Democratic duopoly. In 2018 he was the Reform Party's nominee for Governor of Florida. On July 15, 2019 he had filed with the FEC for President as a Reform Party candidate, but later withdrew as other options surfaced.

More than any other person in my generation, Richardson's political journey is basically the history of third parties in late 20th/early 21st century America. No doubt I am missing a few entities here, he has also been linked as candidate or campaign worker with the Democratic Party, Citizens Party, Consumer Party, New Democrat, Boston Tea Party, Reform Party of the United States of America, Peace and Freedom Party, just plain Independent, Alliance Party, Socialist Party of the United States of America, Independent Republican, Independence Party, Natural Law Party, and Minnesota Progressives. It is possible he holds the record in this regard among third party VPs.

Although the Alliance Party was a new entity it was comprised of several older political parties now operating under one name. The Party's website offered a summary of their genealogy--

How the Alliance Formed

America’s growing dissatisfaction with a failing, polarizing two-party system and recognizing there is strength in numbers and a deep desire to put people and country over politics and greed, eleven independent political parties merged under one banner - The Alliance Party.

On October 14, 2018, in Denver, Colorado, three political parties - the American Moderates Party, the Modern Whig Party and the American Party of South Carolina - agreed to merge to create The Alliance Party.  On January 4, 2019, the Alliance Party officially registered with the Federal Elections Commission.

The following parties merged into the Alliance after the merger of the original three.

    Independence Party of Minnesota (2019)
    American Alliance Party (2019)
    Independent Party of Connecticut (2020)
    American Delta Party (2020)

Prior to the 2018 meeting, six independent parties had merged into the Modern Whig Party between 2008 and 2016.

    USA Party (2008)
    Veterans Party (2008)
    American Centrist Party (2010)
    Center Party (2010)
    National Centrist Party (2011)
    American Moderate Party of California (2016)

Discussions are under way with other independent, grassroots parties and organizations to join the Alliance.

Rather than issuing a platform the Party released a "Manifesto" with a message they viewed as pragmatic and centrist. Instead of picking through this long document, I'll focus on two items that seem to get to the core of their philosophy as it relates to the issues of 2020. First, their requirements in order to be a candidate under their banner, as found in the Nov. 2020 website--

All Alliance candidates are held to high expectations and requirements, because public service by way of elected office is among the highest of callings.

We require, monitor and enforce term limits for all of our federal and state legislative offices.

In addition, we require transparency from candidates when running for office and while serving in office. Requirements for federal and state legislative include fully disclosing all contributions during campaigns and while in office; providing redacted copies of their 1040 personal tax returns from the most recent three years; providing annual disclosure of all income received while in office during the preceding year, including the source and amount.

We expect all Alliance candidates and elected officials to demonstrate civility, honesty, tolerance and humility in their interactions with others. Each candidate enters into a written agreement with the Alliance with regards to these expectations. You may find the State and Federal Agreement HERE, and the Local Agreement HERE. [I did not include hot links here--SW]

We expect all Alliance candidates and elected officials to function as pragmatic problem solvers. Functionally, this requirement means country over party; progress over ideology; with an emphasis on constituent concerns and needs.

The second item I found to be pertinent in regard to the peculiar state of the union in 2020 and the Alliance Party's standpoint came from Richardson's Vice-Presidential nominee acceptance speech on Apr. 25, 2020--

Hello everyone. It’s an honor and a privilege to be addressing the inaugural national convention of the Alliance Party, a party — as fate would have it — emerging on the American political scene in one of our nation’s darkest moments, an uncertain period in which the United States may be facing its greatest challenge in modern history.

The deadly COVID-19 pandemic, which has already claimed more than 53,000 American lives while exposing the inadequacies of the U.S. health care system, coupled with what will almost certainly be an ensuing deep recession or, more likely, a depression from which we are unlikely to soon recover, presents a most unpredictable future for all of mankind.

As national chairman James Rex — I love Jim, he’s great — has eloquently pointed out, the twin crises facing this country demonstrates just how ill-prepared the special interest-​dominated duopoly was in preparing for the kind of pandemic the country is now facing. Knowing that the kaleidoscopic impacts of climate change multiplies the threats of infectious diseases, and given the SARS, the Zika virus, MERS and Ebola outbreaks in recent decades and the very real possibility of a more widespread global pandemic in the near future, both parties share in the blame for this country’s unforgivable lack of preparedness.

As Jim has said repeatedly, the United States had ample warnings — decades, actually — yet our leaders had done little or nothing to prepare the country for the kind of pandemic we’re now tragically experiencing. How pathetic that the United States, once the manufacturing marvel of the world, had to rely on life-saving ventilators, masks and other basic Personal Protective Equipment from counties like China and South Korea at the outset of this deadly crisis.

Making matters worse, President Trump squandered at least eight weeks at the ​beginning of this health crisis calling the coronavirus a “hoax” — and that was only four months after he shuttered the U.S. Agency for International Development’s PREDICT program, which was responsible for identifying and combating new emerging viruses. The President’s slash-and-burn approach to the scientific wing of the federal government also includes trying repeatedly —and sometimes with success — to cut funding for the CDC’s unit for fighting global pandemics. Shame on him.

But the Democrats, who have been reduced to second-guessing the Republicans in recent years, also share in the blame. They, too, have neglected science and research as federal funding for basic research in these critical areas has shrunk markedly over the past two decades during Democratic and Republican administrations alike. The Democrats controlled the House for half that period and, likewise, held a working majority in the U.S. Senate for ten of those twenty years.

​The forthcoming campaign will undoubtedly be a difficult one, but I am deeply honored and humbled to be part of this much-needed effort. I know that Rocky — the favorite son of all fifty states and of every country that still looks to the United States for leadership — feels the same way.

Following a steady forty-year decline, one in which our middle class was virtually hollowed out through misguided trade deals such as NAFTA, the Alliance Party, in my view, is the party this country has been waiting for — a party determined to end, once and for all, the hyper-partisanship and extreme polarization of American politics and, most importantly, a party capable of returning the United States to its historic, independent and positive role as a force for good around the globe.

We should once again be a beacon to the rest of the world, especially at a time when most nations are gripped with fear and uncertainty. We’re Americans, after all.

This is our moment. Let the Bloodless Revolution of the year Two Thousand and ​Twenty begin, ushering in a new and creative approach to the myriad issues facing our country which will once again make the United States of America a Gold Medalist nation in education, the environment and a world-class health care system while creating an innovative economy for the 21st Century that works for everyone, not just the investor class, or the so-called one percent.

Thank you and keep the faith. And stay safe everybody.

Something unexpected happened to the campaign on Aug. 15, 2020.  

The far Right and Christian-based American Independent Party in California, which had nominated Trump/Pence in 2016, chose De La Fuente as their nominee. But Richardson was bumped as the VP and replaced with Kanye West. Apparently this VP choice was accomplished without input from any of the nominees. De La Fuente said, "I was not consulted to see if I wanted Mr. West as my running mate ... Obviously, we're a weird— and I wanted Mr. Richardson as my running mate— but it was their decision and their decision only."

De La Fuente had entered the AIP primary in Mar. 2020, but came in second to Phil Collins, who was also the Prohibition Party nominee for President.

The Independent Political Report quoted Darcy Richardson--

“Please let Rocky know that if he runs with the unstable, bi-polar Trump-loving Kanye West in California that I will withdraw as his vice-presidential running mate nationally,” Richardson declared in a text message to [AIP official Mark] Seidenberg earlier today. “I’ve spent my entire adult life battling the duopoly and certainly DO NOT want my name associated with a candidacy that peripherally includes a Trump/GOP plant like the unhinged rapper….Bill Shearer must be rolling over in his grave.”

It should be noted that Richardson did remain in the race, or at that was my impression when I posted our interview Oct. 6, 2020. In it he said--

Rocky and I are on the ballot in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vermont.  We also hope to be official write-in candidates in a couple of dozen states.

Rocky is also on the ballot in populous California where --- much to my chagrin --- he's paired with unhinged, pro-Trump rapper Kanye West on the American Independent Party ticket, a remnant of segregationist George Wallace's 1968 presidential campaign.

https://thirdpartysecondbananas.blogspot.com/2020/10/darcy-richardson-2020-vp-alliance-party.html

West was also not pleased with being nominated VP, calling the AIP "deceitful" and issued a statement that included, "I am campaigning to be the next president of our great country — not vice president ... The political party in California that listed my name as its VP candidate has done so without my knowledge ... Californians, I ask for your vote for president and urge you to write in ‘Kanye West.’"

The De La Fuente/West ticket placed 5th out of the 6 positions on the California ballot with 0.34% of the vote in that state. It was by far De La Fuente's largest bloc of votes nationally.

The ticket with Richardson as the VP made the ballot in 14 states and registered write-ins in at least 5 more. The strongest results (with party listing) were in Rhode Island 0.18% (Alliance) -- Minnesota 0.17% (Independence/Alliance) -- Idaho 0.17% (Independent) -- Maine 0.14% (Alliance) -- Arkansas 0.11% (Independent).

Election history:
1979 - Cheltenham Township Commission, Montgomery County, Penn. (Democrat) - defeated
1980 - Pennsylavania State Auditor General (Consumer Party) - defeated
1983 - Cheltenham Township Commission, Montgomery County, Penn. (Democrat) - defeated
1985 - Cheltenham Township Finance Officer, Montgomery County, Penn. (Democrat) - defeated
1988 - US Senate (Penn.) (Consumer Party) - defeated
1990 - US House of Representatives (Penn.) (Democratic) - primary - withdrew
1990 - US House of Representatives (Penn.) (Independent) - defeated
1991 - US House of Representatives (Penn.) (Consumer Party) - special election - replaced by party
1992 - Independent Voters Primary (Mass.) - defeated
2010 - Lt. Governor of Florida (No Party Affiliation) - defeated
2012 - Democratic nomination for US President - defeated
2012 - Reform Party of the United States of America nomination for US President - defeated
2016 - Reform Party of the United States of America nomination for US President - defeated
2018 - Florida House of Representatives (Reform Party of the United States of America) - withdrew
2018 - Governor of Florida (Reform Party of the United States of America) - defeated
2020 - Reform Party of the United States of America nomination for US President - withdrew

Other occupations: steamship industry worker, manufacturing manager for an industrial heat treating equipment firm, financial analyst and operations manager, historian, author, campaign manager, political party executive

Notes:
Winner of the 1988 election was H. John Heinz III.

William Alan Mohr

 

William Alan Mohr, May 23, 1959 (Grand Rapids, Mich.) -

VP candidate for Constitution Party (aka American Constitution Party aka U.S. Taxpayers Party aka Independent American Party aka Conservative USA Party) (2020)

Running mate with nominee: Donald Leon Blankenship (b. 1950)
Popular vote: 60,148 (0.04%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

In 2020 the Constitution Party was somewhat diminished from it's former self. It was no longer affiliated with California's American Independent Party and since the 2016 election a number of states walked out of the national organization. Plus, the party of Trump had co-opted and attempted to mainstream several of the Constitution Party's platform planks at least through rhetoric if not in action, stealing away potential voters from the third party.

West Virginia coal CEO Don Blankenship was nominated for President on the second ballot. This was seen as a mixed blessing by some. On the positive side he was a well known figure and had deep pockets, but on the negative side the reason he was well known was not exactly complimentary. He served a year in the Taft Federal Correctional Institution in California, convicted of conspiring to violate safety standards that led to the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster in 2010, killing 29 workers.

In marketing his book entitled An American Political Prisoner, Blankenship wrote on his website--

Over the past thirty years I have been threatened with death several times: had urine thrown on me: had eleven bullet holes shot into my office: had two cars smashed with ball bats and clubs while I was in them: been continually lied about: been the subject of several false books: been branded with multiple derogatory names: been sued numerous times: been slandered on national television many times: been subjected to continued ridicule by newspapers: been falsely accused of causing the Upper Big Branch (UBB) tragedy: been falsely arrested: endured a trial where I faced thirty years in prison for made up charges, and been put in federal prison for a misdemeanor.

Describing himself as "Trumpier than Trump," Blankenship had also made national headlines in his 2018 candidacy in West Virginia for the U.S. Senate due to his behavior some considered unprofessional and comments that were interpreted as crude.

There is probably some kind of metaphoric significance with the fact Blankenship filed for President with the FEC on Halloween, 2019 but I'll leave it to others to define it.

The Party's 40-page platform is too long to reproduce here, but their webpage does list their "Twelve Key Issues"--

States’ Powers
Everything not specifically delegated by the Constitution to the federal government, nor prohibited by the Constitution to the states, is reserved to the states or to the people.

Education
Since the Constitution grants the Federal Government no authority over Education, the 10th Amendment applies. This includes funding.

Gun Rights
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

Foreign Policy, Defense, & Terrorism
American government committed to the protection of the borders, trade, and common defense of Americans, with no entanglement in foreign alliances, is paramount. Any and all wars must be declared by Congress.

Veterans
We vigorously resist the attempt by any government agency to nullify or reduce earned benefits to veterans and their survivors, including but not limited to, compensation, pensions, education, and health care.

Immigration
The Constitution Party has long been the only national political party to stand firmly against the proposals for a “Pathway to Citizenship/Comprehensive Immigration Reform/Amnesty” that come out of Washington.

Treaties & Trade Deals
We believe firmly that any so-called free trade deals and/or treaties that usurp American Sovereignty and/or the Constitution are unconstitutional and we should withdraw from them immediately.

United Nations, Agenda 21, & Global Organizations
We vehemently oppose Agenda 21 and feel we should part ways with the UN and any other global agency that attempts to subvert American Sovereignty.

Religious Freedom
All Americans have equal right to worship according to their beliefs. Government is to be kept out of the religious realm.

Healthcare & Social Security
We believe in the privatization of Healthcare and Social Security, with Social Security being phased out.

Judiciary
We reject the notion that the Supreme Court’s decisions are binding as law beyond those parties to whom the case pertained. Activist Judges should be impeached, as permissible by the Constitution.

Drugs
The federal government’s only responsibility in preventing drug abuse is to control our borders. Drugs are a state issue.

Running-mate Bill Mohr had been an active Republican until 2005 when he joined the U.S. Taxpayers Party in Michigan, the local Constitution Party affiliate.

In one interview during the campaign Mohr shared his thoughts on the COVID-19 pandemic--

The COVID pandemic is an opportunity for corrupt governors to grab power and money, and it's happening. I wish people could understand what’s happening. And although there is a virus, the actions being taken are not about the virus.

You don’t quarantine the innocent, you quarantine the sick and that didn’t happen here. We shut our government down, our country down. The mask thing should have been done a long, long time ago.

One more thing, the idea that you can’t buy and sell without a mask, that resembles the mark of the beast. That will be an easy step from the silly mandate to wear a mask into if you don’t have the mark of the beast you won't be able to buy or sell, this needs to be stopped here.

Blankenship/Mohr finished in 8th place nationally. They were on the ballot in 18 states and registered write-ins in several more. Strongest showings were in Utah (0.37%), Alaska (0.31%), Nevada and Idaho (0.22% each). It was by far the most dismal Presidential election result for the Party since their debut election in 1992.

Election history:
2006 - Michigan House of Representatives (U.S. Taxpayers Party) - defeated
2008 - Michigan House of Representatives (U.S. Taxpayers Party) - defeated
2010 - Michigan House of Representatives (U.S. Taxpayers Party) - defeated
2012 - Michigan House of Representatives (U.S. Taxpayers Party) - defeated
2014 - Michigan House of Representatives (U.S. Taxpayers Party) - defeated
2016 - Grand Rapids (Mich.) City Commissioner Ward 2 (Nonpartisan) - defeated
2018 - Village of Martin (Mich.) Board of Trustees At-large (Nonpartisan) - defeated

Other occupations: state chair of the U.S. Taxpayers Party, home maintenance and improvement

Notes:
Mohr's son, Bill Mohr II also ran for public office in Michigan under the US Taxpayer's Party for university regent positions. The "Our Campaigns" website has blended the two into one politician.