The Stop Common Core Party, which is a ballot-qualified party in New York state, is in the process of changing its name to “Reform Party.” See this story. This is the first time a ballot-qualified party named “Reform Party” has ever existed in New York. In September 1995, Ross Perot launched the Reform Party nationally. But because there was already a ballot-qualified party in New York called the Independence Party (which had been formed in 1994), the Independence Party became the New York state affiliate of the Reform Party, and the “Reform Party” name did not appear on New York ballots.
The new Reform Party of New York will have state officers who are loyal to the Republican Party. The new state chair of the Reform Party is Michael Lawler, who was the campaign manager for Rob Astorino last year. Astorino was the Republican Party nominee for Governor. His campaign organized the “Stop Common Core Party” to give Astorino yet another line on the ballot; he also was the Conservative Party nominee. Thanks to Michael Drucker for this news.
UPDATE: the original Reform Party has an organized affiliate in New York state, and it objects to the name change and will agitate to prevent the Common Core Party from re-naming itself the Reform Party. The original Reform Party in New York has a web page, reformpartyny.org.
And what happens if the GOP nominates pro Common Core Jeb Bush for president? The “reform” party state officers loyal to the Republican party will do what?
as an IP-NY PEROT elector on the 1996 NYS Ballot there was no fusion loyalty issue to confuse my electoral college vote if Perot had won NYS.
That’s probably why they’re changing the name.
I am remiss not to mention that the name “Reform Party” was used in 2010 by candidate Michael J Carey, who ran for the 46th Senate District, which is in Albany.
I remember getting a really nasty and mean push poll from someone trying to badger me into voting for Mr. Carey.
It was kind of an interesting conversation. The questions basically were:
“Who are you voting for for Governor?”, “Who are you voting for for State Senate?”, “Have you heard of Democrat Neil Breslin?”, “Have You heard of Republican Robert Domenici?”, “Have you heard of Reform Party candidate Michael Carey?”, “Did you know that Domenici will raise taxes and basically ruin your life if elected?”, “Does this make you more or less likely to vote for Mr. Domenici?”.
The guy told me he was calling from Colorado.
I told him that I was voting for Howie Hawkins for Governor, and the (nonexistent) candidate for State Senate, and that the information about Mr. Domenici made me feel more likely to vote for Mr. Domenici. After I said this the guy quickly and angrily ended the call. But not before asking for my race. I think he offered Irish, Italian, and Chinese, as options. I don’t remember my answer to that.
I actually voted for Carey. But that’s because I ALWAYS vote 3rd party. If anything the call made me feel a little uncomfortable in doing it.
^Nonexistent Green Party candidate for State Senate, of course.
Any idea if they will be affiliating with what’s left of the national Reform Party?
I would say probably not, if the party is directly controlled by the NY GOP.
Good point, though (and I’m not advocating this) if they NY GOP puppet party affiliated with the national Reform Party (NRP); couldn’t they turn the NRP into a puppet of the national GOP? I mean, there can’t be that many active people in the NRP to prevent a takeover… right?
It is entirely controlled by the NYS Republican Party. Think of it as a parasite.
It has nothing to do with the national Reform Party formed by Perot in the 90’s. The Independence Party of New York, really a front for billionaire Tom Golisano to run for Governor in late 90’s/early 2000’s, was affiliated with the Reform Party at that time.
This entity is wholly controlled by Astorino and his flunkies. It certainly has nothing to do with Reform, just as SCC had nothing to do with stopping Common Core.
I don’t think the Reform Party actually exists on a national level, except in the minds of a handful of people. And most of them are at war with each other.
I cannot understand why an blank independent line that gained ballot access would consider using a national, used regulated name. “Reform Party. Without permissionof the Real Reform Party. The group does not have the right to use a name which has a national presence without permission. In the event a national third party presidential candidate is the Reform Party candidate, this group would be required to change their name yet again. The FEC recognized the Reform Party as a registered, regulated party. In New York State, the Reform Party has enforced many candidates over prior years. The fact that the Reform Party in NYS did not have a Governor Candidate should not be the test as to whom is permitted to use the name which has been a National Recognized name for many years.
Any formal attempt to use the name will be challenged.
The Reform Party does not exist as a functional national entity any more and hasn’t for years.
The name reform appears in the PRO COMMON CORE literature hundreds of times. i would believe an organization built to Stop Common Core, would ot use the name Reform when the Common Core Movement, considers themselves the Reform Movement for K-12 Education.
The National REform Party has members in over 20 states, and although we, as a National REform Party did not put forth an active Governor Candidate, the Republican Candidate commitee did ask for our endorsement.
The Reform Party was built from the Ross Perot 3rd Party movement, not to be controlled by any major political party. Now, the Republican controlled new indeneepent linee wants to create a party and name it tthe Reform Party, hoping the name will help sustaiin the line each 4 year term. As with other blank lines that achieved 50,000 votes, I do not beelieeve this party will endure. Without a true grass roots movement that existed with those looking to Stop Common Core, the line is doomed to failure, no matter wwhat they want to change the name to.
The name Reform Party is nationally recognized and will be vigorously challenged by those who holf the Reform Party name to standd for an indepeendent movement, and not one controlled by either the Republican or Democratic Parties.
http://www.reformpartyny.org
We hope those who believe in a real 3rd party will not allow anyone to take a real cause, and turn it into a vessel for political perks.
Not true. the REFORM PARTY exists in multiple states throughout the country, and has been working with the FEC to keep the party alive and well.
Thank yo very much.
Bill