Third-party members of state legislatures of the United States

Main article: Third-party officeholders in the United States

This is a list of persons who have served as members of U.S. state legislatures while enrolled in third parties. For purposes of this list, a third party is defined as any party other than the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. This list spans the period from 1856 to the present. The time period listed beside each elected official's name is the time period when that elected official has served as a state legislator while enrolled as a member of a third party. State legislators who are independent (in other words, not enrolled in a political party) are not included in this list.

Alaska

[edit]

Current

Alaska House of Representatives:

Historical

Alaska House of Representatives:
  • Jay Hammond (1958–1960). Future governor Hammond served in the 1st Alaska State Legislature as an independent, and later served as a Republican.
  • Robert Ditman (1960–1962). Originally elected as an independent, Ditman later served as a Democrat.
  • Frank R. Ferguson (1972–1974). Ferguson was elected as a write-in after losing the Democratic primary as an incumbent. He served in the previous and following legislatures as a Democrat.
  • Ken Fanning (1980–1982). The second Libertarian elected to partisan office in the United States, he served one term in the Alaska House of Representatives.[3]
  • Andre Marrou (1984–1986). Elected as a Libertarian for one term. He was Ron Paul's running mate in 1988 and the Libertarian nominee for president in 1992.[citation needed]
  • Dick Randolph (1978–1982). Previously elected as a Republican, Randolph switched parties and became the first Libertarian elected to a partisan office in the United States in 1978. Randolph ran as the Libertarian nominee for governor in 1982.[citation needed]
Alaska Territorial Legislature:[4]
  • Elwood Bruner (1913). Bruner served as a Republican in the California State Assembly, but served in the Alaska Territorial Senate as an Independent.
  • Dan Sutherland (1913–1919). Sutherland served in the Alaska Territorial Senate as an Independent, but served in the United States House of Representatives as a Republican.
  • B.F. Millard (1913–1915)
  • L.V. Ray
  • J.M. Tanner (1913). Tanner would serve in future territorial senates as a Democrat.

Arkansas

[edit]

Current

  • Jim Hendren (2013–present). Elected as a Republican, changed his registration to Independent in 2021.[5]

Historical

  • Nate Bell (2015–2017). Originally elected in 2011 as a Republican, Bell switched his affiliation to Independent in 2015.
  • Richard Carroll (2009–2011). Initially elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives as a Green in 2008, he switched to the Democratic Party in 2009.[6][7]
  • Fred Smith (2013–2015). Smith was originally elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives as a Democrat in 2010, but was forced to give up his seat after a conviction. The conviction was expunged, but the Democrats refused to have him as their candidate in 2012. He ran for re-election as a Green in 2013 and won.[8]

California

[edit]
  • Audie Bock (1999–2000). Bock was elected to the California State Assembly as a Green in a special election.[9]
  • Chad Meyes (2014–2022). Meyes was elected as a Republican, changed his party affiliation to Independent in 2019 and re-elected as an Independent in 2020.[10]

Connecticut

[edit]
  • Edwin Gomes (2015–2019). Gomes, a former Democratic member of the Connecticut Senate, was elected to the office for a second time as a member of the Working Families Party. He is the first member of the Working Families Party to win a legislative seat outside of New York and one of the first to win a seat without electoral fusion.[11] Gomes made efforts to regain the Democratic Party's backing in the 2016 primary elections.[12]

Kansas

[edit]
  • Dennis Pyle (2005–present) Elected as a Republican, changed his registration in 2022 to Independent.[13]

Louisiana

[edit]
  • Roy Adams (2019–present). Elected as an independent for the Louisiana House's 62nd district.[14]
  • Joseph Marino III (2016–present). Elected as an independent for the Louisiana House's 85th district.[15]

Maine

[edit]

Maine House of Representatives:

Current

Former

Maryland

[edit]
  • Shane Robinson (2011–2019). Elected as a Democrat representing the Maryland House of Delegates' 39th district, he joined the Green Party in 2018.[22]

Massachusetts

[edit]

Massachusetts House of Representatives:

  • Susannah Whipps (2017–present) Elected as a Republican in 2014, she changed her affiliation to Independent in August 2017, stating that serving as an unenrolled member would help her to reach out to both Democrats and Republicans. She won her re-election in 2018 with 70% of the vote within her constituency.

Michigan

[edit]

Montana

[edit]
  • Rick Jore (2000–2001; 2007–2009). Jore served as a Republican in the Montana House of Representatives from 1995 to 2000. In 2000, he left the Republican Party to seek a fourth term as a member of the Constitution Party. He then ran four times as a Constitution Party candidate before winning office in 2006.[27]

Nebraska

[edit]

(Note: While Nebraska's unicameral legislature is nominally nonpartisan, most members belong to and are supported by one of the two major political parties.)[28]

  • Ernie Chambers (1971–2009, 2013–2020). Formerly the sole non-affiliated member in the Nebraska legislature, belonging to neither the Democratic nor Republican parties. Chambers was a former member of the New Alliance Party.[29]
  • Laura Ebke (2016–2019). Elected as a Republican-endorsed candidate, she joined the Libertarian Party in 2016.[30]

Nevada

[edit]

New Hampshire

[edit]

Historical

New Hampshire House of Representatives:

New Jersey

[edit]
  • Matt Ahearn (2002–2004). Elected as a Democrat. He switched his party affiliation to Green following dissatisfaction with the Democrats for corruption.[38]

New Mexico

[edit]

New Mexico House of Representatives:

  • Phelps Anderson (2019–present). Elected as a Republican, changed his registration in 2021 to Independent.[39]

New Mexico Senate:

  • Jacob Candelaria (2013–present). Elected as a Democrat, changed his registration in 2021 to Independent.[40]

New York

[edit]

New York State Assembly:

  • Timothy P. Gordon (2007–2010). Served two terms in the Assembly as a member of the Independence Party.[41][42]
  • Diana Richardson (2015–present). Was elected as a member of the Working Families Party in a 2015 special election in which no Democratic candidate was on the ballot. She is the first member of the New York Working Families Party to be elected only on the Working Families ballot line.[43]
  • Fred Thiele (2009–2022). Thiele was originally elected to the Assembly as a member of the Republican Party, but on October 1, 2009 switched to the Independence Party of New York and caucused with the Democrats. In 2022, Thiele officially switched to the Democratic Party, after the Independence Party of New York lost its status as an official political party in New York State.[44]
  • Angela Wozniak (2015–2016). A member of the Conservative Party, Wozniak was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2014. She caucused with the Republicans.[citation needed]

Rhode Island

[edit]

Rhode Island House of Representatives:

  • Daniel P. Gordon (2011–2012). After being expelled from the Republican Party, Gordon joined the Libertarian Party, becoming the party's sole legislator during his tenure.[citation needed]

South Carolina

[edit]

South Carolina House of Representatives

  • Mia McLeod (2011–present). Elected as a Democrat, changed her registration in 2023 to Independent.[45]

Tennessee

[edit]

Tennessee House of Representatives

  • John Windle (2022–2023). Elected as a Democrat, changed his registration in 2022 to Independent.[46]

Utah

[edit]
  • Mark B. Madsen (2016). Chose in July 2016 to be a Libertarian for the remainder of his final term in the Utah Senate.[47]

Vermont

[edit]

Current Vermont House of Representatives:

Historical:

  • Terry Bouricius. Served as a Progressive member from 1991 to 2001.[50]
  • Robin Chesnut-Tangerman. Progressive member representing Rutland-Bennington.[48]
  • Dean Corren. Served as a Progressive member from 1992 to 2000. He was the nominee of both the Progressive Party and the Democratic Party for lieutenant governor in 2014.[51]
  • Susan Davis. Progressive member representing Orange-1.[48]
  • Winston Dowland. Served as a Progressive member from 2003 to 2007.[52]
  • Carina Driscoll. Served as a Progressive member. She is the step-daughter of Independent U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.[53][54]
  • Sarah Edwards. Served as a Progressive member from 2003 to 2013.[55]
  • Diana Gonzalez. Progressive member representing Chittenden-6-7.[48]
  • Sandy Haas. Progressive member representing Windsor-Rutland.[48]
  • Ben Jickling. Served as an Independent from 2017 to 2019.
  • Bob Kiss. Progressive member representing Chittenden-3-4 from 2001 to 2006. He later ran for Senate as an Independent, finishing eighth of fourteen candidates running for six seats.[56][57]
  • Paul Lefebvre. Served as an Independent from 2020 to 2023.[48]
  • Christopher Pearson. Progressive member representing Chittenden-6-4.[48]
  • Dexter Randall. Served as a Progressive.[52]
  • Neil Randall. Served as a Libertarian from 1998 to 2002.[citation needed]
  • Tom Smith. Served as a Progressive member.[50]

Vermont Senate:

Historical

Wyoming

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2014 GENERAL ELECTION Official Results". Alaska Division of Elections. November 25, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  2. ^ "Candidate Q&A: Alaska House District 25 — Calvin Schrage". Anchorage Daily News. October 3, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  3. ^ "100 Years of Alaska's Legislature".
  4. ^ "Archived" (PDF). w3.legis.state.ak.us. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 10, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  5. ^ "Sen. Hendren leaves GOP for Independent status; forms new 'Common Ground' effort". Talk Business & Politics. February 18, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  6. ^ Koon, David (January 29, 2009). "Mr. Carroll goes to Little Rock: NLR Rep. is America's highest ranking Green". Arkansas Times. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  7. ^ Press Release (April 29, 2009). "Nation's highest-ranking Green switching parties". The Victoria Advocate. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  8. ^ Zinser, Lynn (November 7, 2012). "A Former Globetrotter Wins Election by Globetrotter-Like Margin". New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  9. ^ Staggs, Bill (April 4, 1999). "Victory by California Assembly Candidate Is First for Greens". New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  10. ^ "Inland Assemblyman Chad Mayes leaves GOP, will seek re-election as independent". Press Enterprise. December 6, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  11. ^ Pazniokas, Mark (February 24, 2015). "Ed Gomes wins big, will resume state Senate career at 79". The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  12. ^ Constable, Kyle (July 22, 2016). "Democrats face legislative primaries in Bridgeport, New Britain". The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  13. ^ Carpenter, Tim (June 7, 2022). "Sen. Dennis Pyle launching independent campaign for Kansas governor". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  14. ^ Paterson, Blake. "Independent Roy Daryl Adams wins State House District 62". The Advocate. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  15. ^ Allen, Rebekah. "Brand new to the Legislature, Rep. Joe Marino becomes key player in prison reform debate". The Advocate. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  16. ^ "William Pluecker reelected to represent House District 95". PenBay Pilot. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  17. ^ Bader, Emily (October 14, 2020). "Incumbent faces challenge for Bridgton seat in Legislature". Press Herald. Lakes Region Weekly. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  18. ^ Murphy, Sean (November 4, 2020). "Newcomer Warren unseats Babine in Scarborough's House 29 race". Press Herald. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  19. ^ Thistle, Scott (December 15, 2020). "Maine Republican House member leaves party in dispute over committee assignments". Press Herald. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  20. ^ Andrews, Caitlin (January 7, 2022). "2 Maine lawmakers join the major parties ahead of 2022 elections". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  21. ^ Mitchell, Jennifer (November 26, 2017). "Maliseet Rep. to Maine Legislature Running for Congress". www.mainepublic.org. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  22. ^ Sukharev, Nickolai. "Outgoing delegate switches to Green Party". thesentinel.com. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  23. ^ "Legislator Details - Bert F. Crapser". Library of Michigan. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  24. ^ "Legislator Details - Milton B. Hine". Library of Michigan. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  25. ^ "Kent County Greenback Convention". Detroit Free Press. August 8, 1878. p. 6. Retrieved November 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Legislator Details - J. Weston Hutchins". Library of Michigan. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  27. ^ "Montana Legislator Abandons GOP for Constitution Party". Missoulian (Press release). February 25, 2000. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  28. ^ "Is There A Partisan or Non-Partisan Legislature in NE?". WOT. January 28, 2010. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  29. ^ Young, JoAnne. "Sen. Ernie Chambers' life & times: A timeline". JournalStar.com. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Another state legislator quits GOP, joins Libertarian Party" (Press release). Libertarian Party. June 1, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  31. ^ Holroyd, Corinne (April 25, 2014). "Convicted Seabrook resident running for governor". Sea Coast Online. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  32. ^ "Representative Max Abramson (L)". New Hampshire General Court. January 6, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  33. ^ a b c d "Libertarians maintain ballot status". Sun Journal. November 6, 1992. p. 13. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  34. ^ "Rep. Caleb Dyer (R-NH) joins Libertarian Party". February 9, 2017.
  35. ^ "Libertarian Party again picks Browne to run for president". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. July 3, 2000. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  36. ^ "Revolution: 1994 lp". Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  37. ^ Doherty, Brian (June 29, 2017). "New Hampshire Now Has Third Sitting Libertarian Party Legislator". Reason. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  38. ^ "The year the Assembly had three party switchers". New Jersey Globe. October 19, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  39. ^ Chacón, Daniel J. (February 6, 2021). "Lawmaker leaves Republican Party, becomes an independent". The NM Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  40. ^ Lyman, Andy. "Sen. Jacob Candelaria leaves Dem party, registers as decline to state". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  41. ^ http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Lame-duck-targets-the-unblinking-eye-877318.php Lame duck targets the unblinking eye. Jimmy Vielkind, Albany Times-Union, December 13, 2010.
  42. ^ Odato, James M. (August 1, 2012). "Gordon fired as breeding fund boss". Times Union.
  43. ^ Yee, Vivian (May 5, 2015). "Working Families Candidate Diana Richardson Wins Brooklyn Assembly Post". New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  44. ^ "Suffolk County Board of Elections Petition Log" (PDF). Suffolk County Board of Elections. May 23, 2022. p. 12. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  45. ^ "Former SC gubernatorial hopeful Mia McLeod leaving Democratic party". WCBD News 2. January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  46. ^ Gulbransen, Aaron (April 13, 2022). "Pro-2nd Amendment State Rep. John Mark Windle Leaves Democrat Party, Will Run for Re-Election as Independent". Tennessee Star. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  47. ^ Piper, Matthew (July 25, 2016). "Utah state senator bolts Republican Party for Libertarian camp". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Staff (January 1, 2016). "All Legislators". Vermont General Assembly. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  49. ^ Staff report (April 28, 2023). "Castleton House rep changes parties". Times Argus. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  50. ^ a b Reynolds, David (1997). Democracy Unbound: Progressive Challenges to the Two Party System. South End Press. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  51. ^ O'Gorman, Josh (October 19, 2014). "Scott, Corren make their case for No. 2 post". Barre Montpelier Times Argus. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  52. ^ a b Resmer, Cathy (January 13, 2005). "No Stranger in the Kingdom". Seven Days. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  53. ^ "VT House Roster 2002".
  54. ^ Kelly, Kevin (October 3, 2007). "Three Entrepreneurial Vermont Crafters 'Knock on Wood'". Seven Days. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  55. ^ Audette, Bob (April 10, 2012). "Sarah Edwards won't seek re-election". Battleboro Reformer. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  56. ^ a b c Bromage, Andy (May 24, 2012). "Bob Kiss: I'm Running for State Senate as an Independent". Seven Days. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  57. ^ Machado, Tyler (November 7, 2012). "More Election Results: Statehouse Races and Burlington Ballot Items". Seven Days. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  58. ^ Hallenbeck, Terri (November 10, 2015). "David Zuckerman to Run for Lieutenant Governor". Seven Days. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  59. ^ "Elected Officials - Marshall Burt". Libertarian Party. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  60. ^ "Statewide House Candidates Official Summary Wyoming General Election - November 6, 2018" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
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