American Independent Party
The American Independent Party was a viable third party that contested the 1968 US presidential election. The party was established by former Alabama Governor George C. Wallace Sr. and appeared on all fifty state ballots. Wallace and his running mate, retired Air Force general Curtis E. LeMay, received 13.5 percent of the popular vote and 46 electoral votes from states in the deep South. The party adopted right-wing and conservative positions represented by a call for “law and order” in reaction to the turbulent 1960's.
In 1969, representatives from 40 states established the American Party as the successor to the American Independent Party. In 1972, the party nominated former Congressman John G. Schmitz of California for president. In 1976, the American Party split into the more moderate American Party, which included northern conservatives and Schmitz supporters, and the more extreme American Independent Party, which focused on the deep South. Both of the parties have nominated candidates for the presidency and other offices.
The American Independent Party has held ballot status in the state of California since 1968 and is still active there. It is the state affiliate for the national Constitution Party, formerly the U.S. Taxpayers Party.
Presidential Candidates
- 1968 George C. Wallace Sr. - American Independent Party
- 1972 John G. Schmitz - American Independent Party
- 1976 Lester Maddox - American Independent Party
- 1976 Thomas J. Anderson - American Party
- 1980 John Rarick - American Independent Party
- 1980 Percy Greaves - American Party
- 1984 Delmar Dennis - American Party
- 1988 Delmar Dennis - American Party
- 1992 Howard Phillips -- U.S. Taxpayers Party
- 1992 Robert J. Smith -- American Party
- 1996 Diane Beall Templin - American Party
- 1996 Howard Phillips -- U.S. Taxpayers Party
- 2000 Don Rogers - American Party
- 2000 Howard Phillips -- Constitution Party
- 2004 Diane Beall Templin - American Party
- 2004 Michael A. Peroutka -- Constitution Party
See also
- List of political parties in the United States
- Lineage of American Nationalist organizations and individuals
External links
