In the November 2008 election, five independent candidates for U.S. House competed against both a Democrat and a Republican, and still managed to exceed 10% of the vote. They were:
1. David Krikorian in Ohio’s 2nd district got 17.71%
2. Cindy Sheehan in California’s 8th district got 16.17%
3. Burt Saunders in Florida’s 14th district got 14.49%
4. Carol Miller in New Mexico’s 3rd district got 12.79%
5. Michael Jackson in Louisiana’s 6th district got 11.59%.
Two minor party candidates for U.S. House polled over 10% even though they were both running against a Democrat as well as a Republican. They were both Minnesota Independence Party nominees. They were David Dillon in the 3rd district with 10.57%, and Bob Anderson in the 6th district with 10.05%.
Most of these Independents had sometihng special:
David Krikorian: Well-known businessman, recieved national support from fellow-Armenians
Cindy Sheehan: Known across the country and especially in San Francisco
Burt Saunders: Former members of the State House and State Senate
Carol Miller: Former Commissioner, New Mexico Commission on Higher Education, Appointed 2004 by Governor Bill Richardson.
Michael Jasckson: Sitting State Representative.
Dillon is the CEO of a local business in Minnesota, and Anderson owns his own Dental practice.
Lesson to third parties and independents: Run someone who is respected and has name recognition.
Even with someone who is respected and has a name recognition, still nobody seems to vote third or independent.
Also David Krikorian spent $250,000.
Richard,
Alot of them spent decent amounts of money. Krikorian spent 250,000. Sheehan spent roughly 500,000. Saunders spent 164,000. Miller spent about 40,000. Jackson spent 217,000.
Carol Miller spent by FAR the lowest amount, but still a great deal more than your average third party candidate (by roughly 40 times id think).
Richard:
Do you have the amounts spent by the incumbent and all
other party candidate(s) in these 5 Congress races?
For the record:
I was not well known prior to running for office in 2008 and
My campaign spent $153,000. Compared to the $3.5 million that my democratic and republican opponents combined to spend.
DK