The Independent Party of Delaware is a political party in the State of Delaware, United States. As of March 2016, it is the third largest political party in Delaware with 5,696 registered voters. The party supports laissez-faire capitalism, limited government, and environmentalism. It was officially formed on August 29, 2000 for the stated purpose of provide Delaware voters with an alternative to the Republican and Democratic parties. The party works to support independent candidates for public office by providing them with ballot access, distributing information to voters, and encouraging participation in candidate debates.
History
The Independent Party of Delaware was founded on August 29, 2000 by Floyd McDowell and Frank Sims. In 2000, the party ran Floyd McDowell Sr. for governor and he received 3,271 votes, or 1.1% of the total vote . In 2002 Maurice Barros, running for U.S. Senate, received 996 votes, for 0.4% of the total vote. In 2004, the party, along with the Libertarian Party, nominated Frank Infante for governor. Infante received 10,753 votes on the Independent Party line, and 1,450 votes on the Libertarian Party ballot line. In 2006, Karen M. Hartley-Nagle, running for Delaware's Senate seat, received 5,769 votes for 2.2% of the total vote. In 2004, the party gave its ballot line to the independent presidential campaign of Ralph Nader; he received 2,152 votes for 0.6% of the total vote in Delaware In 2008, the party again gave its ballot line to the independent presidential campaign of Ralph Nader; he received 2,401 votes.In 2012, the party ran Alex Pires for the US Senate. He received 15,300 votes, or 3.83%. The party also ran 4 candidates for the state legislature. One candidate for State Senate, running in a district with no major party opposition, received 20.1% of the vote. In 2014, the party ran David Graham for attorney general of Delaware against Matthew P. Denn, Ted Kittila, Catherine Damavandi and John Machurek and he received 4,879 for 2.12% of the vote. In 2016, the party endorsed Republican Partypresidential nomineeDonald Trump for President.
The preamble outlines the party's goals: "The Independent Party of Delaware is dedicated to reform of government at all levels in the Greater Public Interest through election of independent alternative candidates"
The party supports alternative sentencing for nonviolent crimes instead of expensive prison overcrowding and support the independence of the parole and pardoning process.
Environment
The Independent Party supports sustainable and renewable energy through free market means, improving Delaware's water quality from being 90% impaired and preserving Delaware's farms.
