Guest Author - Linda Sue Grimes

Based on 1892 Populist Movement
The Populist Party of America was registered with the FEC (Federal Election Commission in 2002. This party claims to follow the principles of the original Populist movement, which formed the People’s Party in 1892 in St. Louis, Missouri. This early Populist Party sought to eliminate the gold standand for coinage and it also emphasized the power of the individual over the establishment.

The leaders of this recent incarnation of populism claim that their party is neither left nor right but instead includes “all social persuasions.” They describe their position using John Adams’ statement from August 29, 1768:

The favorites of parties, although they have always some virtues, have always many imperfections. Many of the ablest tongues and pens have, in every age, been employed in the foolish, deluded, and pernicious flattery of one set of partisans, and in furious, prostitute invectives against another; but such kinds of oratory never had any charms for me; and if I must do one or the other, I would quarrel with both parties and with every individual of each, before I would subjugate my understanding, or prostitute my tongue or pen to either.

Individual Responsible for Governing
This party urges each individual to stand up and declare, “I am the politician who practices authority over my own fate. I am guided through my existence by my own aspirations, which are shaped by my own vision of the Good Life.”

The party claims to promote direct democracy, liberty for each individual and strict adherence to the Bill of Rights. They allege and lament that America is currently controlled by an elite group of government bureaucrats and corporate leaders, and they want to return the decision-making processes to the people.

Status of the Populist Party
It appears that this party at this point in time is still forming. Its web site offers mostly information about the party’s basic philosophy and then numerous articles that contain ideas they find interesting and informative, but with which they may or may not agree.

Their main office is headquartered in Los Angeles, but they also have a branch of the party called Midwest Populist Party, which apparently is headquartered in Chicago. There are no names of any individual party leaders or members. There is a list of names with photos of columnists who have contributed articles to the site.

In the 2006 election, Populist candidate Christopher Driscoll ran for governor of Maryland against Democrat Martin O’Malley, Republican incumbent Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., and Green Party candidate Ed Boyd. O’Malley won.

Reference:
Populist Party
Midwest Populist Party
Christopher Driscoll