NEWS THAT'S WORTHY
Join the alliance of independents movement for latest updates, announcements, and media coverage.
FEATURED STORIES
Short Bus Debate Club Podcast
Jim Rex, Chairman Emeritus of the Alliance Party, discusses how TAP differs from other political parties and why it matters.
WIL Conference (Women in Leadership)
Jim Rex, Victoria Staten, Keisha Long, and other SC TAP members attended the WIL Conference in South Carolina. They met theFive Sister Senators, a bipartisan group that blocked harmful healthcare legislation and received theJFK Profile in Courage Award.
Straight Talk Radio
An Interview with Jim Rex, Chairman Emeritus of the Alliance Party, discusses why it’s important to support independent candidates.
Ethan Michelle Ganz Campaign Kickoff
Ethan Michelle Ganz, candidate for Houston City Council at Large Position 3, declared the need for elected officials to stand against state legislature bullying. Ganz, endorsed by the Alliance Party, held a campaign kickoff rally on August 23, 2023.
Ethan Michelle Ganz Campaign Kickoff
HOUSTON, Tex. – Ethan Michelle Ganz, a candidate for the Houston City Council at Large Position 3, declared today that Houston needs elected officials who will fight against the state legislature’s “bullying and attacking us because we are a very progressive city.”
Ganz, 47, a Houston resident since 1997 who ran unsuccessfully for city council in 2019, will have his campaign kickoff rally on Wednesday , August 23, from 6-9 p.m. at Fix Coffee Bar, 415 Westheimer Road, Houston, 77006. The public is invited.
The election is Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. There are eight other candidates in the race to fill the open seat. For more information about candidate Ganz, click here. They are National Vice Chair of the Alliance Party and has been endorsed by the party.
“We need city council members who have the courage to stand up and fight against the state and the misinformation and disinformation, to lead people in the right direction and give people credible information.”
Ganz was elected Nonbinary Grand Marshal of Pride Houston this year. The community organizer has worked, volunteered, or advocated with a number of organizations including Pure Justice, Texas Advocates for Justice, the Rothko Chapel, Transgender Education Network of Texas, Equality Texas, ActOuthtx, Houston Climate Movement, Stop TX Dot I45, and is a co-founder of the Montrose Residents Coalition.
They are also very active in the Black community, immigrant groups, and with Justice Impacted, where last year he helped to register to vote 1,500 people awaiting trial in the Harris County Jail.
Ganz earned the Journeyman Pipefitter and Intermediate Rigger certifications from Associated Builders and Contractors School in Louisiana, and in 2021 earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in international studies from the University of St. Thomas in Houston.
Ganz’s candidacy in 2019 focused on the housing crisis in Houston, which he said is still a major issue he intends to address.
“I believe I’ll win because I stand with the people. I am authentic, and that’s what people are looking for,” they said. “They want people who care.”
Alliance Party of Maine Files Amicus Brief
The party opposed GOP efforts to prevent ranked-choice voting in the presidential race.
Statement From The Alliance Party: "Together, We Can Do This"
A call to action in response to the tragic death of George Floyd, urging Americans to unite against systemic injustice and work toward a more just and equitable society.
Statement From The Alliance Party: "Together, We Can Do This"
SC Superintendent of Education Debate
South Carolina Superintendent Alliance Party candidate Lisa Ellis participated in the debate.
Alliance Party Gains Ground in Local and State Elections
A record number of Alliance Party candidates ran for office in Minnesota, South Carolina, and Washington state.
Alliance Party Gains Ground in Local and State Elections
The Alliance Party 2022 candidates
1. Hugh McTavish for Minnesota Governor/Mike Winter Lt. Governor
2. Larry Stanley for Washington U.S. House District 8
3. Sarah Work for South Carolina State Treasurer
4. Lisa Ellis for South Carolina State Superintendent of Education
5. Jackie Todd for South Carolina House District 8
6. Joseph Oddo for U.S. House District 1 in South Carolina
7. Ryan Thompson for South Carolina House District 106
8. Gregg Hendrickson for State House 5B
9. Joseph Banks for Hennepin County Sheriff
10. Guy Sanschagrin - Shorewood City Council
Election day is less than a week away, and our candidates continue to make progress and gain the attention of the media, the polls, and the voters.
In summary of the 2022 races
Jim Rex, National Chair Emeritus, and his wife Sue Rex, will watch the returns from Columbia on all 5 of our "Fabulous Five" 2022 Alliance candidates, and he said, “, At the top of our ballot is the egregious option of choosing straight party voting. The silver lining was seeing the Alliance Party listed on even footing with the Republican and Democrat choices.”
From Kiesha Long, South Carolina State Chair, “Lisa Ellis’ name is listed twice on the ballot with the Alliance Party listed in front of the Democratic option. Of course, on some ballots, voters are seeing all of this plus Jackie Todd in the Upstate; Joe in parts of Charleston, and Ryan on the Coast!
Kiesha Long continued, “Ballot Identity is so important for a new party/movement like ours. All of our candidates have magnified our identity and credibility in this election. For many voters, we are only "real" to them when they see our party and our candidates on their ballot.
The 2022 ballot-and the statewide televised debate added immeasurably to that reality.”
Minnesota and Washington Election Update
Philip Fuehrer, National Vice Chair, provided updates on Alliance Party candidates in Minnesota and Washington.
Minnesota and Washington Election Update
Minnesota Independence Alliance Party is running and/or endorsed a number of candidates that are on next week's ballot. Leading the way is Hugh McTavish for Governor (www.mctavish4mn.org) who has raised/spent just under $250,000 in his bid. Hugh has garnered the FairVote MN "Democracy Champion" badge for his support of Instant Runoff Voting and the "2022 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate Distinction" badge signaling his support for gun violence prevention and gun safety.
Gregg Hendrickson (https://www.hendricksonforhouse5b.com) is running a heads-up race against a Republican for State House District 5B. A US Army veteran, Gregg has earned the endorsements of the MN Farmers Union, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund, and the Sierra Club and earned the "MNisReady" candidate badge for his support of cannabis legalization.
Two candidates in non-partisan races are running with party endorsement: Joseph Banks for Hennepin County Sheriff (https://www.banks4sheriff.com) which includes the City of Minneapolis and Guy Sanschagrin for Shorewood City Council (https://shorewoodbythepeople.com). Joseph came in second in the August Primary to advance to the General Election. Guy received 35% of the vote when he ran for Shorewood City Mayor in 2020.
In Washington state, Larry Stanley ran for State House for District 8-position 2. He came in fourth in a four-way non-partisan primary race in August and did not advance to the General Election.
SC Candidate’s Name Appears Twice on Ballot
Early voting continued in South Carolina with Alliance Party candidates gaining visibility.
Candidate for State Treasurer (A-SC): Sarah Work
Sarah Work represented the Alliance Party in the race for State Treasurer.
Why We Declined to Join the Forward Party
The Alliance Party declined to merge with the Forward Party, Renew America, and the Serve America Movement due to a lack of actionable plans.
Why We Declined to Join the Forward Party
Former South Carolina State Superintendent of Education, Jim Rex, The Alliance Party National Chair Emeritus, said party executives met for several days with leaders of the Forward Party, Renew America and the Serve America Movement and declined to join them.
“We walked away for many of the same reasons the cynics have been providing,” said Rex, one of the founders of The Alliance Party. “They were all about rhetoric and no action. Our discussions devolved into mostly rhetoric without specific proposals and agreements on specific actions.”
The Alliance Party has observable and measurable behaviors that our explicitly required of Alliance candidates for elected office. We are sick and tired of the behavior of most candidates and elected officials the two dominant parties continually recruit, run and support. Corruption, hypocrisy, self-interest, and just plain lying are rampant. Americans deserve better. We deserve what the Founding Fathers intended- ‘citizen legislators’ motivated by the desire to serve in the public’s best interest and not by the desire to have decades-long careers in elected office.
We continue to build local "chapters" that will create networks of state committees expanding our influence and exposure to new people and like-minded organizations.
Qualified candidates attract volunteers
We are seeing a steady increase in supporters joining the movement and inquiring about becoming a candidate in the next election cycle. We can do so much more with your support.
Statement from the Chair
A reflection on the Chauvin verdict and the ongoing fight for justice and reform.
Statement from the Chair
“The fact that we know what the verdict SHOULD be but remain unsure of what it WILL be speaks volumes about our nation. We have work to do.” – Amanda Gorman.
While we can all breath a sigh of relief, we should not breath in the scent of temptation to believe we are no longer a society deeply conflicted and afflicted by racism. The Chauvin verdict is a drop of water. It will take a torrent to begin to wash our blood-stained hands clean. So, the fight for oversight and reform must continue unabated, until we reach the point where millions do not need to march to ensure that accountability for the murder of our fellow Americans by those entrusted to serve and protect them, is the rule rather than the exception.
Announcement: Michael Burger Steps Down as National Vice Chair
Michael Burger, a founding member, stepped down, and Jonathan Etheridge was appointed as the new National Vice Chair.
Announcement: Michael Burger Steps Down as National Vice Chair
One of the two National Vice Chair's of the Alliance Party, Michael Burger, has announced that he is stepping down from the position effective Jan 10, 2021. As National Vice Chair of the Modern Whig Party, Michael was instrumental in bringing people together to Denver in October of 2018 to found the Alliance Party.
We are grateful for the work Mike has done, especially as the catalyst for many of the party mergers we have experienced. We have seen this party grow from an idea to a national contender in just a few short years. Although Mike will remain a supporter, we wish him all the best.
Mike has offered this statement, "It has been an honor to be a founding member and a National Vice-Chair for our growing party. I am looking forward to seeing the future growth and new candidates our party will have in the future. We have some very talented people in our party. Your new Vice-Chair is one of those people.
I encourage each of you to get involved in your state party. I also encourage you to become a monthly, recurring donor giving $5, $10, $20, or more monthly to support the work being done to grow our young great party. www.theallianceparty.com/donate
I want to thank Brian Mistrot and James Rex for excepting the position of National Chair in the past. Also to Darcy Richardson for accepting the National Chair position now.
I will continue to support our party and the members of the National Committee. I hope each of you will do the same with your time and your donations."
We are excited to announce that the Alliance Party National Committee voted unanimously to appoint Jonathan Etheridge to fulfill the term of National Vice Chair which expires in 2023. He will assume the position on Jan. 1, 2021.
Jonathan is a business, technology, and inclusion and diversity leader with experience in the healthcare, consumer packaged goods, and government industries. He holds an Executive MBA from Davenport University and is a graduate of executive certification programs at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and University of California – Berkeley. Jonathan has over a decade of experience in policy research, development, and legislative advocacy on issues related to veterans, healthcare reform, technology, and privacy. He is a veteran of the United States Navy and a board or committee member of several organizations dedicated to the causes of veterans such as Operation Homefront, the Veterans Corporate Council, and the Disabled American Veterans. Prior to assuming the role of National Vice Chair of the Alliance Party, Jonathan was a State Chair and Regional Coordinator with the Modern Whigs and the Alliance Party following the merge, serving as an At-Large Member of the National Committee of the Alliance Party.
We are excited that Jonathan has accepted the position as we prepare to move to the next phase of our ascent as a major player in American politics.
Announcement: Jim Rex Steps Down as National Chair
Jim Rex stepped down, and Darcy G. Richardson was appointed as the new National Chair.
Announcement: Jim Rex Steps Down as National Chair
The National Chair of the Alliance Party, Dr. James Rex, has announced that he is stepping down from the position effective Dec 31, 2020. Dr. Rex had graciously accepted an appointment to fulfill the term vacated by former chair Brian Mistrot in September of 2019.
We are grateful for Jim having stepped up to lead the party at a critical juncture. Under his tutelage and leadership we have, in a record setting short amount of time, moved into the national arena as a viable and credible player. Although Jim will remain involved in various capacities, we wish Jim and his family all the best.
Jim has offered this statement, "Allow me to emphasize that my involvement with the Alliance Party is not ending with my approved request to the National Committee to allow me to relinquish the Chair responsibilities on December 31st. Although my personal circumstances will no longer allow me to commit to the hours and effort required of the National Chair, I fully expect to remain significantly involved in whatever ways I can to assist the new Chair and the future efforts of the Alliance."
We are excited to announce that last evening, the Alliance Party National Committee appointed Darcy G. Richardson to fulfill the term of National Chair which expires in 2023. He will assume the position on Jan. 1, 2021.
Darcy G. Richardson (born December 6, 1955) is an author, historian and political activist.
He was the Reform Party of Florida's nominee for governor in 2018. In the 2012 presidential election, Richardson challenged incumbent Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States in five state primaries.
Richardson was the vice-presidential nominee of the Alliance Party for the 2020 election alongside presidential nominee Rocky De La Fuente. The ticket appeared on more than 15 state ballots and finished in 5th place nationally with more than 84k votes nationally
Darcy is the author of A Nation Divided: The 1968 Presidential Campaign, published in 2002. The book describes in detail the "Clean for Gene" phenomenon that led to President Lyndon B. Johnson's startling withdrawal from the race and Robert F. Kennedy's resulting candidacy, as well as the campaigns of Republican Richard M. Nixon and others. He has also authored four books of a planned seven volume series on the history of third party politics in the United States, with a heavy focus on progressive movements. The first volume, "Others: Third-Party Politics From the Nation's Founding to the Rise and Fall of the Greenback-Labor Party" earned a Choice magazine Outstanding Academic Title (OAT) award for 2005.
Richardson has contributed articles to numerous publications and is the co-founder of a blog called Uncovered Politics, which focuses on insurgent candidates and third party politics.
Between 1989 and 1992, Richardson served as the National Chairman of The New Democrats, a Progressive reformist group that included Eugene McCarthy and Gary Hart.
We are excited that Darcy has accepted the position as we prepare to move to the next phase of our ascent as a major player in American politics.
Statement From The Alliance Party : "#BeLikeRBG"
A tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) and a call to honor her legacy by fighting for gender equality, civil rights, and equal justice under the law.
Statement From The Alliance Party : "#BeLikeRBG"
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, RBG, Notorious RGB, daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, professor, Supreme Court Justice. She wore these hats with a singular focus to eliminate gender-based bias in legislation and regulations. Her voice led the fight for gender equality, women's interests, and civil rights and liberties. She fought for the most vulnerable among us to safeguard equal justice under the law.
We cannot lose sight that it is now our responsibility to carry forward the lights of her accomplishments. It is more important than ever. We commit to following her example and ask this nation to #BeLikeRBG.
Become Informed. Stand Strong, armed with facts. Maintain high integrity. Hold that precious space of mutual respect and work for the best outcome for all.
Let us find inspiration in her accomplishments. Let us honor her by keeping her memory and her work moving forward to achieve equal justice under the law.
#BeLikeRGB
De La Fuente Denounces 2-Party War Over Supreme Court Seat
Presidential candidate Roque De La Fuente criticized the two-party system.
De La Fuente Salutes Hispanic Contributions During Hispanic Heritage Month
Roque De La Fuente celebrated Hispanic contributions to America.
De La Fuente Salutes U.S. Workers on Labor Day
A tribute to U.S. workers on the 126th anniversary of Labor Day.
De La Fuente Criticizes 2-Party Monopoly
Roque De La Fuente called for a new voice and vision in American politics.
De La Fuente Opposes Trump School Plan
Roque De La Fuente advocated for creative virtual learning solutions during the pandemic.
Pandemic Limits Electoral Process Access
The Alliance Party highlighted challenges faced by candidates during the pandemic.
Alliance Party Sets Presidential Nomination Convention Online
The party launched a new movement to transform the American political system.
Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente Wins Alliance Party Presidential Nomination
De La Fuente and Darcy Richardson secured the party’s nomination for the 2020 presidential race.