RFK for president: what is highest vote share won by independent candidate in US election?

You may have heard that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has officially withdrawn from the race for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. This came after months of speculation and, unsurprisingly, he announced his candidacy as an independent during an event in Philadelphia. Yes, within Independence Hall, the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Symbolic indeed.

RFK running as independent

His speech invoked the Founding Fathers and drew parallels to George Washington, the only U.S. President who was not affiliated with a political party. He emphasized his decision to run as an independent as a means of returning power to the American electorate and reducing the influence of both major political parties.

It’s a decision, as I say, that hasn’t shocked many of those keeping close tabs on him, especially as the Democratic Party appears to be comfortable going into the next election with Joe Biden seeking a second term rather than look for a fresh face. But, although it could actually work in the Dems favour, what chances does he have as an independent?

Although there have been 59 presidential elections in total - and Theodore Roosevelt running for the Progressive Party in 1912 really shook the major parties up - there is one relatively recent candidate who caught attention with an independent run.

Who is the most successful US independent candidate?

Say hello to Ross Perot, an American businessman who was born in 1930, in Texarkana, Texas, and passed away in July 2019. Despite founding Electronic Data Systems, a highly successful data processing company, in 1962, he made a real name for himself in politics. Having sold EDS to General Motors in 1984 and becoming a billionaire in the process, he then had the funds to take a run at the presidency of the United States in 1992 and 1996, running as an independent.

In 1992, Perot campaigned on a platform that focused on reducing the federal budget deficit, implementing government reforms, and opposing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). His straightforward and folksy style, as well as his use of charts and infomercials to explain his ideas, made him a unique and memorable candidate. Although he did not win any electoral votes, he garnered nearly 19% of the popular vote that year, making him one of the most successful third-party candidates in recent U.S. history.

Perot ran again for president in 1996 but did not achieve the same level of support as he did in 1992, receiving only about 8% of the popular vote in that election. Apart from his political endeavors, Ross Perot was also known for his philanthropic activities, including donations to educational and healthcare causes.

Back to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As things stand, the 69-year old would be going up against the incumbent President Joe Biden, and former president Donald Trump. A recent poll suggested his support stood at fourteen percent, potentially pushing him towards the 19% of Perot. We will watch on with interest.