Those listed as candidates have done one or more of the following: formally announced they are candidates in the 2012 presidential election, filed as candidates with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), and/or received the presidential nomination of their respective party. They are listed alphabetically by surname within each section.
Ballot access to 270 or more electoral votes
vote totals on ballots representing 270 electoral votes. All other candidates were on the ballots of fewer than 10 states, 100 electors, and less than 20% of voters nationwide.
Johnson declared his candidacy for the Libertarian Party nomination on December 28, 2011, at a press conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico.[2] The announcement followed his withdrawal from his previous candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, which he had announced on April 21, 2011.[3] Johnson won the nomination at the May 5, 2012, convention in Las Vegas on the first ballot.[4] Judge Jim Gray of California was his running mate.
Gold – States where Gary Johnson had ballot access. (515 Electoral) Pale Yellow – States where Gary Johnson had write-in access. (16 Electoral) Total – 531 Electoral
Harris filed his candidacy for the Libertarian presidential nomination on August 24, 2011, to the FEC.[5] Harris received the endorsement of Ron Paul during his unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination to US Congress District 4.[6] He withdrew his presidential candidacy in on April 11, 2012, and announced he would instead make a second run for the U.S. Congress.[7]
Wrights announced his candidacy for the Libertarian presidential nomination on April 16, 2011, at the Libertarian Party of North Carolina's annual convention in Hickory, North Carolina.[11]
Declined to run
The following people were the focus of presidential speculation in past media reports, but ultimately decided to not run for the nomination of the Libertarian Party.
Stein formally announced her candidacy on October 24, 2011. She indicated that a key point of her campaign will be her proposal for a "Green New Deal", which aims to provide energy-based public jobs for the unemployed.[17] In May 2012, she became the party's presumptive nominee.[18] On July 14, 2012, she won the official nomination at the Green Party National Convention in Baltimore.[19][20] Stein's running mate was Cheri Honkala of Pennsylvania.[21]
Ballot access
Green – States where Jill Stein had ballot access. (444 Electoral) Light Green – States where Jill Stein had write-in access. (63 Electoral) (As of November 16, 2012, Jill Stein was not on Secretary of State's list of valid candidates in Montana so her write-in votes were not counted in Montana. This was because she missed the filing deadline of September 28.[citation needed]) Total – 507 Electoral
Alexander announced in August 2010 that he would seek the 2012 presidential nomination of the Green Party. Alexander also announced that he would seek the 2012 presidential nomination of the Socialist Party USA.[22][23] He withdrew his candidacy for the Green Party nomination in July 2011.[24]
Socialist Party USA vice presidential nominee, 2008
Barr announced in August 2011 that she would run for president in 2012 as the nominee of a political party she intends to create, called the "Green Tea Party."[25] On January 25, 2012, she filed a declaration with the FEC.[26] Barr has submitted paperwork to the Green Party for her candidacy, and stated on February 2, 2012, that she is a longtime supporter of the Green Party.[27] After losing the Green Party nomination to Stein, Barr continued her campaign, winning the nomination of the Peace and Freedom Party.[28]
Kent Mesplay Activist and air quality inspector, of California
Mesplay announced during an interview with Wikinews on June 29, 2008, that he was in the planning stages for a 2012 presidential campaign.[29] On May 24, 2011, he filed with the FEC as an official candidate for the Green Party nomination.[30]
Declined to run
The following people were the focus of presidential speculation in past media reports, but ultimately decided to not run for the nomination of the Green Party.
Americans Elect announced on May 17, 2012, that it would not field a candidate for president, as no candidate garnered enough support in the organization's online primary to reach its self-imposed threshold for the nomination.[36]
Ballot access
Blue – States where A.E. had ballot access. (292 Electoral) Light Blue – States where A.E. had submitted petitions. (41 Confirmed) Total – 327 Electoral
Candidates
The following were the only four declared candidates to achieve more than 1,000 supporters for the presidential nomination of Americans Elect prior to the organization's announcement that it would not field a 2012 presidential candidate:
On December 1, 2011, still a Republican Party candidate, Roemer announced his candidacy for the presidential nomination of Americans Elect.[37][38] He officially left the Republican Party race in February 2012, and chose to seek the Reform Party presidential nomination in addition to Americans Elect.[39] After the decision to not field a candidate, Roemer suspended his campaign as a whole.[40] He attained an overall total of 6,293 supporters on the Americans Elect website.[41]
On March 14, 2012, Anderson announced his candidacy for the presidential nomination of Americans Elect. He was the 2012 nominee of the Justice Party,[42][43] and continued his campaign after the board decision. He attained an overall total of 3,390 supporters on the Americans Elect website.[41]
In the summer of 2011, Risley mulled a presidential run. Learning about Americans Elect, she decided to seek the organization's presidential nomination.[44] After the board decided to not field a presidential candidate, Risley became involved in a movement to overturn the decision. She attained an overall total of 2,351 supporters on the Americans Elect website.[41]
In early January 2012, Kotlikoff announced his intentions to seek the presidential nomination of Americans Elect.[45] He filed with the FEC on January 12.[46] In May 2012, he chose to also seek the Reform Party nomination, but ended his presidential campaign as a whole after Americans Elect decided to not field a candidate.[47] He attained an overall total of 2,027 supporters on the Americans Elect website.[41]
The following people were the focus of presidential speculation in past media reports, but ultimately decided to not run for the nomination of Americans Elect.
Goode filed with the FEC as a presidential candidate on February 10, 2012.[49] He told The Daily Caller on February 16 that he would seek the Constitution Party presidential nomination.[50] He won the nomination at the National Convention on April 21, and selected outgoing party chairman Jim Clymer as his running mate.[51]
Virginia State Senate, 1973–1997
United States House of Representatives, 1997–2009
Ballot access
Purple – States where Virgil Goode had ballot access. (257 Electoral) Light Purple – States where Virgil Goode had write-in access. (235 Confirmed Electors) Total – 492 Electors
Castle nominated himself as a candidate for the Constitution Party's presidential nomination at the 2012 National Convention. He said that several party delegates convinced him to run.[52][53]
Constitution Party Vice presidential nominee, 2008
Roth announced her candidacy for the American Independent Party of California in November 2011.[54][55] She ran for the nomination of the Constitution Party as well.[56][57]
Wells announced his candidacy on November 21, 2011.[58][59] He later decided to seek the Reform Party's presidential nomination,[60] then switched to the Constitution Party.[61]
Declined to run
The following people were the focus of presidential speculation in past media reports, but ultimately decided to not run for the nomination of the Constitution Party.
Anderson announced in November 2011 that he would run for president as the nominee of a newly formed political party, the Justice Party, of which he was a founding member.[63][64]
Blue – States where Anderson had ballot access. (145 Electoral) Light Blue – States where Anderson had write-in access. (278 Confirmed Electors) Total – 423 Electors
Ballot access to fewer than 270, but more than 50 electoral votes
Lindsay received the nomination of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in November 2011. Lindsay was 28 years of age as of 2012 and thus was constitutionally ineligible for the office.[65][66] Due to this, Gloria La Riva served as a stand in on the ballot in Colorado, Iowa, Utah and Wisconsin.[67]
Ballot access
Light Red – States where Lindsay had ballot access. (146 Electoral) Purple – States where Lindsay had Write-In access. (30 Electoral) Total – 176 Electoral
Hoefling won the nomination of the American Independent Party (AIP) at its nominating convention on August 11, 2012.[68] He is also the presidential nominee of America's Party[69] His running mate on the AIP ticket is Robert Ornelas of California.[68]
Ballot access
Dark Turquoise – States where Hoefling had ballot access. (93 Electoral) Light Turquoise – States where Hoefling had Write-In access. (315 Confirmed) Total – 408 Electoral
Goode won the Constitution Party nomination at the party's National Convention on April 21.[51] In a May 2012 interview, Goode told the Independent Political Report that he would also seek the American Independent Party nomination.[71]
Roth announced her candidacy for the American Independent Party in November 2011.[54][55] She also ran for the nomination of the Constitution Party,[56][57] but lost at the convention. She withdrew from the American Independent Party race in July and endorsed Republican Mitt Romney.[73]
After losing the Green Party presidential nomination, Barr continued her campaign, seeking the nomination of the Peace and Freedom Party, which she won at the party's convention August 4, 2012 after two ballots, first with only 29 votes, then with a majority of 37. Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan was selected as her running mate.[74]
Ballot access
Purple – States where Barr had ballot access. (93 Electoral) Light Purple – States where Barr had Write-In access. (174 Confirmed) Total – 267 Electoral
Alexander announced in August 2010 that he would seek the 2012 presidential nomination of the Green Party. Alexander also announced that he would seek the 2012 presidential nomination of the Socialist Party USA.[22][23] He withdrew his candidacy for the Green Party nomination in July 2011, and said he would only seek the nominations of the Socialist USA and Peace and Freedom Parties.[24] He won the nomination of the Socialist USA Party, but finished third at the Peace and Freedom Party Convention with 12 votes on the first ballot and six on the second.[74]
Socialist Party USA vice presidential nominee, 2008
Anderson announced in November 2011 that he would run for president as the nominee of a newly formed political party, the Justice Party, of which he is a founding member.[63][64] After failing to secure ballot access for the party in California, Anderson decided to seek the Peace and Freedom Party nomination. He withdrew from the race a few days before the convention.[74]
Durham won the Freedom Socialist presidential nomination on January 31, 2012,[75][76] and then sought the Peace and Freedom Party nomination. He finished second at the convention, receiving 18 votes on the first ballot, and 16 on the second.[74]
Lindsay received the nomination of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in November 2011.[65]
[66] She then decided to seek the nomination of the Peace and Freedom Party, but chose to withdraw just before the convention vote, giving her support to Barr.[74]
Harris won the presidential nomination of the Socialist Workers Party in July 2012. His running mate is Maura DeLuca.[77]
Socialist Workers Party presidential nominee, 1996 and 2000
Ballot access
Brown – States where Harris had ballot access. (59 Electoral) Light Brown – States where Harris had Write-In access. (55 Confirmed) Total – 114 Electoral
Alexander announced in July 2010 that he would seek the 2012 presidential nomination of the Socialist Party USA (SPUSA).[22][23] In October 2011, he received the formal nomination of the SPUSA at the Party's National Convention in Los Angeles, California.[78][79]
Ballot access
Dark Red – States where Alexander had ballot access. (56 Electoral) Red – States where Alexander had Write-In access. (109 Confirmed) Total – 165 Electoral
Hoefling won the nomination of America's Party at its online nominating convention held on February 18, 2012. J. D. Ellis of Tennessee is Hoefling's running mate.[69][80]
Ballot access
Note: Hoefling was also the nominee of the American Independent Party. Dark Turquoise – States where Hoefling had ballot access. (93 Electoral) Light Turquoise – States where Hoefling had Write-In access. (315 Confirmed) Total – 408 Electoral
Attorney and 2008 Objectivist Party presidential nominee, of New York
Stevens, the founder and chairman of the Objectivist Party, was unanimously selected as the party's nominee by its delegates at the party's National Convention in May 2010. He filed his candidacy with the FEC in June 2011.[81][82] Alden Link of New York is Stevens' running mate.
Ballot access
Green – States where Stevens had ballot access. (38 Electoral) Light Green – States where Stevens had Write-In access. Total – 38 Electoral
Dark Brown – States where Miller had ballot access. (34 Electoral) Caramel – States where Miller has Write-In access. (29 Electoral) Total – 63 Electoral
Barnett announced his candidacy on May 6, 2011.[84] He was nominated by the Reform Party on August 12, 2012, at the party's nominating convention in Philadelphia.[85] His running mate is Kenneth Cross of Arkansas.
Ballot access
Dark Blue – States where Barnett had ballot access. (29 Electoral) Light Blue – States where Barnett had Write-In access (38 Confirmed) Total – 67 Electoral
Richardson challenged President Obama in five 2012 Democratic Party presidential primaries, accumulating 41,386 votes. He announced his intentions to seek the Reform Party presidential nomination on June 15, 2012, following the withdrawal of Roemer.[86][87]
In May 2012, Kotlikoff announced he would seek the nomination of the Reform Party in addition to Americans Elect.[88] After Americans Elect decided to not field a 2012 presidential later that month, he ended his campaign as a whole.[47]
Roemer withdrew from the Republican Party race on February 23, 2012, and announced he would seek the nomination of the Reform Party along with Americans Elect. Roemer withdrew from the race on May 31, 2012.[89]
Wells announced his candidacy on November 21, 2011.[58][59] He later decided to seek the Reform Party's presidential nomination,[60] then switched to the Constitution Party.[61]
Fellure filed with the FEC as a Republican Party presidential nominee on November 5, 2008.[97] At the Prohibition Party National Convention on June 22, 2011, he received the party's presidential nomination.[98]Toby Davis of Mississippi was Fellure's running mate.
Ballot access
Brown – States where Fellure had ballot access. (8 Electoral) Light Brown – States where Fellure had Write-In access. (50 Electoral) Total – 58 Electoral
Hedges announced in February 2010 that he would seek the 2012 presidential nomination of the Prohibition Party.[99][100] He was defeated for the nomination by Jack Fellure at the Party's National Convention in June 2011.[98]
Duensing was nominated by the BTP in a special nomination convention held online in March–April 2012.[101][102] Duensing's running mate was Kimberly Barrick of Arizona.
The Freedom Socialist Party's write-in campaign by longtime community organizer and gay labor activist Stephen Durham, with vice-presidential running-mate Christina López, was announced on January 31, 2012.[75][76]
Ballot access
Pink – States where Durham had Write-In access. (90 Confirmed Electors) Total – 90 Electoral
Yellow – States where Independent candidates have Ballot or Write-In access. Green – States with every candidate has instant write-in access.
Alabama, Iowa, Oregon, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wyoming are not listed below unless the candidate has been directly placed on the ballot.
The following are the additional candidates who qualified for ballot status in at least one state (bolded) or as a formally recognized write-in candidate (italics):[citation needed]
Richard Duncan (Independent) – Alaska, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Ohio, West Virginia
Samm Tittle (We The People) – Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Utah, West Virginia
Burck, better known as the Naked Cowboy, initially announced his intentions to run for president on September 29, 2010,[107] before formally declaring his candidacy at a press conference in New York City's Times Square on October 6, 2010.[108][109][110] Burck proclaimed "I am not a Republican, I am not a Democrat, I am an American .....it is my goal and intention to lead the Tea Party to the office of the presidency."[111]
In October 2012, Burck – having attained no ballot or write-in access in any state – endorsed Mitt Romney for president.[112]
Jones announced October 27, 2011 that he was running for president.[113][114] He filed with the FEC on the same day, and listed "NPA" for his party affiliation.[115]
The day after the 2008 presidential election, Schriner recorded a podcast declaring his candidacy for the 2012 presidential election, stating that it would be his final campaign.[116][117] This was Schriner's fourth consecutive bid for the presidency. Schriner did not follow through on his promise to not run again and subsequently ran for president in 2016 and 2020.
Declined to run
The following people were the focus of presidential speculation in past media reports, but ultimately decided not to run as independent candidates.
^Lepanto, Juan (May 30, 2012) [1], "Former Congressional Candidate Missy Smith to be Running Mate with Randall Terry" Christian News Wire, Retrieved August 6, 2012.
^Dörting, Torsten & Wigger, Jan (February 9, 2012) "The most important metal albums of the month: 4th Part: Lamb Of God – healing for hip-hop artists", "Statement: If you have even traced in part in the race for the Republican presidential nomination in the U.S., suspects that it is finally time to infiltrate the political system of the United States. This man is ready: LOG singer Blythe has recently announced his candidacy.", Spiegel Online. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
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