The American Independent Party is a small right‑wing political party in the United States that was formed in California in 1967. Its founders, Bill and Eileen Shearer, created the party as an organization to back candidates and platforms outside the two major parties. The group is most widely remembered for supporting Governor George Wallace in the 1968 presidential election. Early supporters were largely Democrats who opposed federal civil‑rights policies and desegregation; the party won most of its votes in parts of the South where Wallace had a strong base.
History and development
The party emerged amid the political turbulence of the late 1960s, when disagreements over civil‑rights legislation, states' rights, and cultural change split many traditional voting blocs. Founded in California—where many conservative Democrats and segregationist sympathizers organized—its initial platform emphasized opposition to federal intervention in racial matters and a defense of local control. Over subsequent decades the organization moved away from the explicit segregationist language that characterized its origins and gravitated toward broader conservative and paleoconservative themes.
Characteristics and organization
The American Independent Party has operated primarily as a state‑level organization with limited national infrastructure. It has relied on state ballot‑access rules to nominate or endorse candidates and has at times acted as a vehicle for protest votes or for conservatives dissatisfied with the major parties. Key characteristics include:
- A small, decentralized membership and largely voluntary leadership structure.
- Periodic alignment with other right‑of‑center third parties or candidates.
- Variable ballot access concentrated in a handful of states rather than nationwide presence.
Electoral role and later changes
After the high profile 1968 campaign, the party’s composition shifted. Many early supporters gradually returned to the Democratic or Republican parties, while others moved into newly formed conservative third parties. In later decades the American Independent Party drew closer to mainstream conservative positions and, in some state chapters, endorsed nominees from the Constitution Party rather than running independent presidential tickets. Its role has been that of a persistent but minor political actor, sometimes impacting close races at the state or local level.
Notable facts and distinctions
It is important to distinguish the party from the general label "independent" used by unaffiliated voters. The American Independent Party is an organized entity with a distinct history and platform, not a generic term for nonparty voters. Its origins in 1967 in California, its association with pro‑segregation opposition to desegregation policies in the late 1960s (segregation), and its role in the 1968 election with a Southern governor from Alabama give it a particular historical identity. Over time the party’s ideological labels have included right‑wing, conservative, and paleoconservative in various contexts.
Timeline and further reading
- 1967: Party founded by Bill and Eileen Shearer in California (United States context).
- 1968: Backed George Wallace in a national presidential bid (Wallace).
- 1970s–2000s: Membership and influence fluctuated; many early adherents returned to major parties.
- Recent years: Some state chapters have cooperated with or endorsed candidates from other conservative third parties (party platforms, Constitution Party).
The American Independent Party remains part of the broader story of American third‑party politics: an organization that rose from a specific regional and ideological moment, adapted to changing political currents, and persists today as a minor but occasionally consequential participant in U.S. elections. For state‑level details and historical documents, consult specialized party histories and election records.