This June 12 story in Charleston, South Carolina’s daily newspaper is mostly about the Democratic Party election returns being certified, but the second half of the story covers Tom Clements, the only non-major party on the South Carolina ballot in November 2010 for U.S. Senate.

Most states in the United States in recent years have seen televised debates for Governor or U.S. Senator at which at least one minor party or independent candidate was included with both major party nominees. South Carolina, however, does not have that tradition, but perhaps Clements will break through. Thanks to Dave Gillespie for the link.

New York city councilmember Charles Barron says he will run for Governor as the nominee of a new political party this year. See this story. Barron, who is black, says he is unhappy that his party, the Democratic Party, is about to nominate a full slate of five statewide nominees who are not people of color.

Barron hasn’t come up with a name for the new party. The new party’s statewide slate will need 15,000 signatures, not 50,000. Barron represents the 42nd district, in Brooklyn.

According to this story, leaders of the New York state Independence Party may soon be compelled to answer questions about a donation to the party in 2009 amounting to over $1,000,000. Thanks to Bill Van Allen for the link.