The United States has been holding popular elections for U.S. Senate starting in 1914. In November 2012, in four states, minor party or independent candidates for U.S. Senate polled the highest percentage ever, for non-major party candidates for U.S. Senate within that state.
In Maryland, independent U.S. Senate candidate S. Rob Sobhani polled 16.38% in a four-candidate race. The previous best showing for U.S. Senate in Maryland for a non-major party candidate had been George P. Mahoney, who had polled 13.10% in 1968.
In Maine, independent U.S. Senate candidate Angus King won the election with 52.89%. The previous best showing for U.S. Senate in Maine by a non-major party candidate had been Hayes E. Gahagan, who had received 7.42% in 1978.
In Missouri, Libertarian U.S. Senate nominee Jonathan Dine received 6.07%. The previous best showing in that state had been by the Progressive Party nominee in 1914, Arthur N. Sager, who had polled 4.47%.
In Vermont, Bernie Sanders, independent incumbent, was re-elected with 71.06%, topping the record he had set for non-major party nominees for U.S. Senate in 2006, when he had polled 65.41%.
Wasn’t Bernie Sanders part of the Progressive Party of Vermont at one time?
He was part of Liberty Union and ran as its nominee several times. But he has never appeared on a ballot with the label “Progressive” even though he is very friendly with the Progressive Party.
Is Liberty Union a Socialist Party?
#3, yes. Most of the time the party’s presidential nominee is the Socialist Party presidential nominee.
How many of the 100 blowhard Senators in 2013 will have been elected by less than 50 percent of the votes involved ???
What percentage of ALL voters elected 51 of the blowhard Senators in 2008-2010-2012 ???
For the clueless – the semi-permanent fixed gerrymander U.S.A. Senate is one of THE most ANTI-Democracy legislative bodies in Western Civilization
— and it shows nonstop — i.e. EVIL arrogant oligarchs at work
— leftwing or rightwing at any specific time — since such 1914.
P.R. and nonpartisan App.V.
In Missouri, Libertarian U.S. Senate nominee Jonathan Dine received 6.07%. The previous best showing in that state had been by the Progressive Party nominee in 1914, Arthur N. Sager, who had polled 4.47%.
Nice 🙂
FYI, Nevada IAP candidate for US Senate, David Vanderbeek, got 4.89% of the vote in his race.
I don’t know if any IAP candidate previously got any higher percentage then that in a U.S. Senate race.
@7 Interesting.