Natural Law Party (United States)

1992

It was founded in 1992, but beginning in 2004 many of its state chapters dissolved.

Leading members of party were associated with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, leader of Transcendental Meditation movement. The American version of the Natural Law Party ran John Hagelin as its presidential candidate in 1992, 1996, and 2000.

In 1992, it suggested the appointment of former Secretary of State George Shultz as drug czar. It endorsed organic, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and conservation. Slogans included: "Only a new seed will yield a new crop", and "bring the light of science into politics".

Catchphrases included: "prevention-oriented solutions" and "conflict-free politics". ==Founding== Bevan Morris, president of Maharishi University of Management (then called "Maharishi International University"), was the founding chairman of the party, which he created on 22 April 1992 in Fairfield, Iowa. The party said it had no direct connection to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi or to TM.

By the time of the election, Hagelin was on the ballot in 31 states plus the District of Columbia. It was certified as a national party by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in September 1992, making it eligible for federal campaign funds. ==Elections campaigns== ===1992=== John Hagelin, a 37-year-old physics professor at Maharishi University of Management (MUM), was the NLP candidate for president of the United States in 1992.

on 5 October 1992, although they had been campaigning already.

The party published a 172-page platform booklet, the longest of any party. Hagelin said that the party had been treated as a political curiosity in 1992, but had become a political force by 1995.

Butkovich is the first gubernatorial candidate in the state party’s history. ==Presidential tickets== ==References== ==Further reading== ==External links== Natural Law Party of the United States Natural Law Party history (USA) Political parties established in 1992 Political parties disestablished in 2004 United States Defunct political parties in the United States 1992 establishments in the United States Political parties in the United States

1994

Bush to Hagelin. In addition to its own slate, the NLP also endorsed candidates in other races, including Republicans and New Alliance Party members. ===1994=== The NLP ran slates of candidates in the 1994 mid-term election.

1995

It hired professional petition gatherers to support 12 candidates for the ballot in Missouri. ===1995=== The party started collecting petitions in 1995 for the 1996 election.

Party officials said that 70% of the signatures came from students and the party qualified for the ballot in 1995.

The party published a 172-page platform booklet, the longest of any party. Hagelin said that the party had been treated as a political curiosity in 1992, but had become a political force by 1995.

1996

Leading members of party were associated with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, leader of Transcendental Meditation movement. The American version of the Natural Law Party ran John Hagelin as its presidential candidate in 1992, 1996, and 2000.

By one report, almost all of the 92 candidates who ran on the NLP slate in California in 1996 were TM practitioners. The Natural Law Party had to qualify separately in each state to nominate a presidential candidate.

It hired professional petition gatherers to support 12 candidates for the ballot in Missouri. ===1995=== The party started collecting petitions in 1995 for the 1996 election.

The party was the subject of jokes on late-night TV shows, and its leaders admitted that some voters rejected the party because of the Maharishi's teachings. ===1996–1998=== In 1996, the NLP called itself the "fastest-growing grassroots party with 700 candidates on the ballot in 48 states".

There were about 50 on the ballot in Ohio. By January 1996, the party had collected $400,000 in donations, while Hagelin's campaign had received about $300,000 plus $100,000 in matching funds. Hagelin threatened to sue the organizers of the National Issues Convention, a forum on social issues held in January 1996, if he was not allowed to participate along with the Republican and Democratic candidates.

NLP candidates, including Hagelin, said they did not expect to win but were using the campaigns to spread their message. During the 1996 election, the party ran hundreds of candidates for seats in the United States House of Representatives, against both Democratic and Republican incumbents.

1998

Bloomfield ran as candidate for Governor in 1998. ===2000=== In 2000, Hagelin created an independent coalition between the Natural Law and the Reform Party, The coalition failed when Patrick Buchanan took control of the Reform Party. On March 31, 2000 the FEC certified primary season matching funds for John Hagelin, who was seeking the nomination of the Natural Law and Reform Parties.

1999

According to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the NLP spent $2.3 million on its presidential campaign in the 1999–2000 election cycle. Following Hagelin's and the Natural Law Party's failed attempt at a coalition with the Reform Party in 2000, the Natural Law Party ran its own ticket of Hagelin and Nat Goldhaber.

2000

Leading members of party were associated with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, leader of Transcendental Meditation movement. The American version of the Natural Law Party ran John Hagelin as its presidential candidate in 1992, 1996, and 2000.

It attempted to merge with the Reform Party in 2000.

Bloomfield ran as candidate for Governor in 1998. ===2000=== In 2000, Hagelin created an independent coalition between the Natural Law and the Reform Party, The coalition failed when Patrick Buchanan took control of the Reform Party. On March 31, 2000 the FEC certified primary season matching funds for John Hagelin, who was seeking the nomination of the Natural Law and Reform Parties.

According to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the NLP spent $2.3 million on its presidential campaign in the 1999–2000 election cycle. Following Hagelin's and the Natural Law Party's failed attempt at a coalition with the Reform Party in 2000, the Natural Law Party ran its own ticket of Hagelin and Nat Goldhaber.

This poor finish led Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to stop endorsing the Party and very few members renewed their membership in 2001. Between 2000 and 2004, the Natural Law Party sought to create an independent coalition of voters interested in election law reform.

2001

This poor finish led Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to stop endorsing the Party and very few members renewed their membership in 2001. Between 2000 and 2004, the Natural Law Party sought to create an independent coalition of voters interested in election law reform.

2002

In 2002, the party endorsed Independence Party of Minnesota candidate for Minnesota Governor, Tim Penny. ===2004=== By 2003, the Natural Law Party had so weakened that it endorsed Dennis Kucinich, a Democrat, for President, rather than trying to achieve ballot status for a candidate of its own, having lost all but 10 ballot lines.

2003

In 2002, the party endorsed Independence Party of Minnesota candidate for Minnesota Governor, Tim Penny. ===2004=== By 2003, the Natural Law Party had so weakened that it endorsed Dennis Kucinich, a Democrat, for President, rather than trying to achieve ballot status for a candidate of its own, having lost all but 10 ballot lines.

2004

It was founded in 1992, but beginning in 2004 many of its state chapters dissolved.

This poor finish led Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to stop endorsing the Party and very few members renewed their membership in 2001. Between 2000 and 2004, the Natural Law Party sought to create an independent coalition of voters interested in election law reform.

Hagelin went on to create an organization called the US Peace Government. According to the Natural Law Party official web site, the national headquarters of the Natural Law Party closed effective on April 30, 2004 and the US Peace Government is now carrying forward the programs, policies, and ideals of the Natural Law Party. Entities using the name are still active in some states.

However, several candidates were on the ballot in 2004 under the Natural Law Party banner, including Socialist Party Presidential Candidate Walt Brown.

Butkovich is the first gubernatorial candidate in the state party’s history. ==Presidential tickets== ==References== ==Further reading== ==External links== Natural Law Party of the United States Natural Law Party history (USA) Political parties established in 1992 Political parties disestablished in 2004 United States Defunct political parties in the United States 1992 establishments in the United States Political parties in the United States

2006

In 2006 the Idaho Natural Law Party merged with the new United Party, with the United Party taking over the ballot line via a name change.

The Idaho Natural Law Party remained active, and was prepared to have three candidates on the ballot for state and federal office in 2006 by entering into a coalition with the new United Party, and thus remained the only Natural Law Party still active in the United States of America.

2008

However, on June 16 the Idaho Natural Law Party changed its name to the United Party. ===2008=== On July 30, 2008, the Michigan Natural Law Party nominated Ralph Nader for president, ensuring the appearance of the Nader/Gonzalez campaign on the Michigan ballot.

2012

Senate and once for the Hartland Township Board of Trustees, the party appeared on the 2012 presidential ballot ticket.

In August 2012, the party nominated former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson for president. ===2016=== On July 28, the Michigan chapter of the Natural Law Party, which maintained ballot access despite the defunct national party, nominated Mimi Soltysik of California and Angela Nicole Walker of Wisconsin and gave the ticket its first presidential ballot line in 2016.

2016

In August 2012, the party nominated former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson for president. ===2016=== On July 28, the Michigan chapter of the Natural Law Party, which maintained ballot access despite the defunct national party, nominated Mimi Soltysik of California and Angela Nicole Walker of Wisconsin and gave the ticket its first presidential ballot line in 2016.




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