Constitution Party of Oregon

Constitution Party of Oregon
Constitution Party of Oregon
Founded	1952, 1974, 2000
Ideology	Paleoconservatism; Social conservatism; Economic liberalism
Political position	Right-wing to far-right
National affiliation	Constitution Party (2000–2006)
Colors	Red, white and blue (national colors); Green
Website
	constitutionpartyoregon.net
	Politics of United States; Political parties; Elections;

The Constitution Party of Oregon is a political party organized as a minor party pursuant to state election law,^[1] and recognized by the U.S. state of Oregon as a statewide nominating party.^[2]

A state party was first organized under this name in 1952, as the state chapter of the newly formed national Constitution Party. A new party was formed under this name in 2000 as an affiliate of the national Constitution Party, founded in 1991. It broke with the national party in 2006 over the issue of abortion.

History

The Constitution Party of Oregon was first formed in August 1952 by Louise Gronnert, Gladys Whelen, and Virgil Holland. Its history since then has not been continuous, though its goals have remained fairly consistent. Headquartered in Portland, its stated purpose was to advance and promote interest in the U.S. constitution in schools and elsewhere.^[3] Its plans took shape in 1956 when it announced a nominating convention for president and vice president of the United States. The party opposed socialism and did not field local candidates. It announced a convention date of August 4.^[4]^[5] The party's nominations were expected to depend on how many conservative Southern Democrats walked out of the Democratic convention that year.^[6]

The American Constitution Party of Oregon incorporated in 1974 in Hillsboro.^[7] It was affiliated with the National American Party, and it held a convention in Portland in 1976 to nominate Tom Anderson and Rufus Shackleford for the president and vice president, respectively, of the United States.^[8]

In 1996, Oregonian Herb Titus was the vice presidential nominee of the national Constitution Party, which was then known as the U.S. Taxpayers Party.^[9]^[10]

In 2000 the party was newly reformed. Its nominee won 31% of the vote in a state legislative race where the Republican Party did not nominate a candidate. By 2002, the party still had fewer than 1,000 registered voters.^[11] Also in 2002, party chairman Bob Eckstrom pledged support for Lon Mabon of the Oregon Citizens Alliance when the latter was jailed for contempt of court.^[12]

In 2006 the Constitution nominee for Governor of Oregon was former TV anchor Mary Starrett, who ran on an anti-abortion platform.^[13] The state party also voted to disaffiliate with the national Constitution Party due to differences over abortion policy.^[14] It broke with the national party in May 2006. Similar measures were taken by other state parties after the national party partially abandoned their anti-abortion, supporting it in the cases of rape, incest, or the life of the mother. The amendment argued that "...until the national Constitution Party resumes a principled, pro-life position – we, in Oregon, should separate ourselves and proceed as an independent state party."^[15] As of July 31, 2016, the Oregon party has not re affiliated to the national Constitution Party. Starrett drew 3.6% of the vote; this was perceived to be primarily at the expense of Republican nominee Ron Saxton, though he lost by a margin greater than Starrett's share of the vote.^[16] There was an effort to draft Starrett to run for president of the United States in 2008.^[17] There was also speculation she might run for the U.S. Senate in 2008, but she did not ultimately seek either office.^[18]

In 2008 the Constitution nominee for the U.S. Senate, Doug Brownlow, was expected to play a "spoiler" role in the contest between incumbent Gordon Smith and challenger Jeff Merkley.^[19] In that year, it also fielded candidates for the 4th Congressional District and the Oregon Attorney General, though the Oregon Republican Party sat those races out.^[20]^[21] Brownlow did ultimately draw more votes, 5.2%, than the margin between Smith and Merkley.

Members of the Constitution Party protested funding of abortions by the Oregon Health Plan in 2009.^[22]

In 2012 the Constitution Party of Oregon nominated Ron Paul for the U.S. presidency. Paul declined the nomination, because Oregon law would have prevented him from later being nominated by the Republican party had he accepted the nomination.^[23]

In 2016, many members of minor political parties in the state re-registered for the Republican or Democratic parties in order to vote in their presidential primaries. The Constitution Party was the only party whose members went more strongly for the Republican Party than the Democratic. (260–102)^[24]

References

^ "2005-2006 Election Laws: Constitutional and Statutory Provisions," Oregon Elections Division official website
^ "Political Parties in Oregon," Oregon Elections Division official website
^ "New State Party Files at Salem". The Oregonian. August 21, 1952.
^ "3d Party Plans Told". The Oregon Journal. July 11, 1956.
^ "For America Unit Formed: Dean K. Child Heads New Party". The Oregonian. July 12, 1956.
^ "Conservative Party Forms Plans for Election". The Sunday Oregonian. August 5, 1956.
^ "American Party to Organize". The Oregon Journal. March 20, 1974.
^ "Minor Party to Convene". The Oregonian. August 14, 1976.
^ Moloney, Sharon (August 28, 2000). "Presidential race livened by fringe teams". The Cincinnati Post.
^ History of the Constitution Party www.constitutionparty.com retrieved 2014/05/01
^ Hogan, Dave (January 14, 2002). "MINOR POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE MAJOR PLANS". Oregonian.
^ Hogan, Dave (February 21, 2002). "JUDGE ORDERS JAIL FOR LEADERS OF OCA". The Oregonian.
^ "Mary Starrett". 9 August 2006.
^ "Constitution Party of Oregon Officially Affiliates with Independent American Party". 7 September 2013.
^ Statement of Party Chair quoted on Third Party Watch
^ "KATU - Portland, Oregon - News - Radio talk show host Mary Starrett to run for governor". Archived from the original on 2006-12-14.
^ "Hail Mary". Willamette Week. April 4, 2007. Archived from the original on October 29, 2008.
^ Mapes, Jeff (December 17, 2007). "Mary Starrett making Senate noises". OregonLive.
^ Chu, Keith (October 9, 2008). "A third-party candidate says he could spoil Smith's bid". The Bend Bulletin.
^ "Those other choices". Register-Guard. October 5, 2008.
^ "Brownlow could be spoiler in Ore. Senate race". September 15, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
^ GRAVES, BILL (March 13, 2009). "Group doesn't want Oregon Health Plan to pay for abortions". Oregonian.
^ Mapes, Jeff (February 10, 2012). "Salem - Ron Paul declines Oregon party's". The Oregonian. The Associated Press.
^ Anderson, Taylor W. (May 7, 2016). "Trump effect? Oregon voters overwhelmingly go Democratic - Trump says voters go Republican because of him. Not in Oregon". The Bend Bulletin.