NATURAL LAW PARTY HISTORY

September 3, 2000

The following is a history of the Natural Law Party since its founding in 1992. Since then, the Party has become United States' fastest growing third party.

Online NewsHour Special Reports: Election 2000 2000 Democratic Convention 2000 Republican Convention Aug. 30, 2000: A biography of John Hagelin Aug. 30, 2000: The Natural Law Party's 2000 platform July 5, 2000: Newsmaker Interview: Harry Browne June 30, 2000: Newsmaker Interview: Ralph Nader. June 15, 2000: NewsMaker Interview: Vice President Al Gore April 27, 2000: NewsMaker Interview: Texas Governor George W. Bush. Browse the NewsHour's coverage of politics     News for Students: Submit a question for the 2000 presidential candidates.   The Natural Law Party John Hagelin for President	1992 The Natural Law Party is founded in April 1992 by John Hagelin, a quantum physicist, and 12 others in Fairfield, Iowa. Through intense petition drives, the Natural Law Party achieves ballot placement in 32 states and qualifies Hagelin for federal matching funds. The Party nominates John Hagelin and Mike Tompkins for president and vice president respectively. 1993 Hagelin and Tompkins begin work on Capitol Hill to introduce funding for prevention-oriented programs into health care legislation. 1994 The Natural Law Party increases its exposure during the 1994 elections. Natural Law candidates, who may also run simultaneously on other party tickets, capture up to 20 percent of votes in local, state and national races. 1995 The Natural Law Party continues with petition drives, achieving ballot access in California and Ohio.
	Hagelin, the NLP's candidate for president
	1996 Natural Law party delegates again nominate John Hagelin for president. Fielding 400 candidates for public office during the '96 elections, Natural Law candidates garner 2.5 million votes nationwide, drawing support from many voters who are formally registered with other parties. 1997 The Natural Law Party begins to build coalitions with other third parties to promote election reform. The party continues with a public campaign on preventive health care. 1998 Natural Law fields 142 candidates in 24 states garnering 1.2 million votes nationwide. 1999 The Natural Law Party achieves ballot access in all 50 states. The Party starts a public campaign on the hazards of genetically engineered foods. The Party gears up for the 2000 elections, which it expects to field 1,000 candidates for public office. Source: Natural Law Party Web site

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