REFORM PARTY HISTORY

August 10, 2000
		A history of the Reform Party since its founding in 1992 by H. Ross Perot.

Online NewsHour Special Report: Election 2000 Oct. 25, 1999: Buchanan Leaves the GOP Oct. 28, 1999: Interview with Pat Buchanan July 26, 1999: Reforming the Reform Party Oct. 22, 1996: Third Party Bids Sept. 24, 1996: Interview with Ross Perot Aug. 19, 1996: 1996 Reform Party Convention Aug. 14, 1996: Interview with Pat Buchanan Browse the NewsHour's coverage of politics Extra for students: Submit a question for the 2000 presidential candidates.   Reform Party Pat Buchanan campaign John Hagelin campaign	November 1992 -- Texas billionaire Ross Perot, running as independent, pledges to end political "gridlock" and institute campaign finance reform. He wins 19 percent of the popular vote, the highest third party percentage in 80 years. After the election, Perot and his foundation, "United We Stand America," establishes the Reform Party of the USA. 1996 - Reform Party earns ballot status in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and gains access to federal campaign funds. After initially declaring he will not run again, Perot runs for President a second time, winning 8.5 percent of the popular vote. 1998 - Reform party runs 184 candidates for local, state and national offices. Former pro-wrestler Jesse Ventura is elected governor of Minnesota on the Reform ticket. 1999 - Conservative commentator Pat Buchanan quits the Republican Party and joins the Reform Party, announcing he will run for president. Ventura says he will not seek nomination. Perot makes no public announcements or appearances and appears distant from the party. February 2000 - Ventura quits the Reform Party, calling it "dysfunctional." Most of his supporters within the Minnesota Reform Party follow suit, and create the Independence Party of Minnesota. August 2000 - Internal conflict between Perot loyalists and Buchanan supporters throws nominating process into chaos. Perot faction of executive committee (most of whom back Iowa physicist John Hagelin) votes Buchanan off ballot prior to nominating convention; Buchanan claims that move was illegal. Hagelin claims Buchanan campaign submitted names of hundreds of ineligible voters to be sent ballots. Nominating convention opens Aug. 10 in Long Beach, Calif. Anti-Buchanan delegates storm out of committee meeting and convene rump convention in a hotel two blocks away, threatening to sue. Buchanan supporters claim the nomination.

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