New Jersey Reform Party

New Jersey Reform Party
Founded	1995
Dissolved	2000
Ideology	Center
Website
[1]

The New Jersey Reform Party was the state party organization for New Jersey of the Reform Party of the United States of America.

In 1998 the party ran Frank C. Falzone, Beverly Kidder, and Richard Rivera for Congress. Kidder's campaign, dubbed "Mrs. Kidder for Congress," challenged Rush Holt and Michael Pappas in New Jersey's 12th congressional district. Kidder described why she ran saying: "I am running because there is a vacuum in the 12th District — and all vacuums are filled." She received 749 votes.

The party ran Pat DiNizio for the United States Senate in 2000. His campaign tactics were unique, in that he traveled the state by trolley and often traversed the streets of New Jersey with an acoustic guitar, asking for votes through improvised songs. DiNizio said he supported the Reform Party because: "I like where they are coming from, and yes, that includes Mr. Ventura."

Ira Goodman, the party's Chairman, resigned in protest after Pat Buchanan's allies seized control, saying that he "had enough of this nonsense going on with Pat Buchanan."

Goodman was, himself, a Reform Party congressional candidate. He earned 1,358 votes.

Goodman had tried to petition Ross Perot to campaign a third time.USA Today reported that Goodman had, initially, been supportive of Reform Party nominee Pat Buchanan, until he spoke with some of Buchanan's supporters. He later said:

"Buchanan supporters are extreme social conservatives who want to push their agenda. Only Perot can help get us back on track."

Following Goodman's resignation Buchanan's supporters did gain control over the party. Local radio host Joe Sansone became the party's new chairman. Sansone made it clear he supported Buchanan's campaign, saying: "I won't pretend to be neutral. My loyalty is to Pat Buchanan. Because his loyalty is to the United States of America."

...
Wikipedia