Ben Fernandez (February 24, 1925 – April 25, 2000) was an American politician, financial consultant, World War II veteran, and special ambassador. He was America's first major-party presidential nominee of an Hispanic origin. He ran as a Republican. He ran for president in 1980, 1984, and in 1988. First two, he lost to Ronald Reagan and the last to George H. W. Bush during the primaries.