United States Natural Law Party
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| United States Natural Law Party | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Party Chairman | N/A |
| Senate Leader | None |
| House Leader | None |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Headquarters | N/A |
| Political ideology | Transcendental meditation politics, Center-left |
| International affiliation | Natural Law Party |
| Color(s) | none |
| Website | http://www.natural-law.org/ |
The Natural Law Party was a United States political party affiliated with the international Natural Law Party. Both were funded almost solely by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, leader of Transcendental Meditation, a belief which holds the view that natural law is the supreme organizing principle that governs the universe. Adherents believe that all political problems can be solved through meditation.
The U.S. version of the Natural Law Party ran John Hagelin as its presidential candidate in 1992, 1996, and 2000. Following the Natural Law Party's failed attempt at a hostile takeover of the Reform Party in 2000, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi stopped funding the Party and very few members renewed in 2001. By 2003, the Natural Law Party had so waned that it endorsed Dennis Kucinich, a Democrat, for President, rather than try to achieve ballot status for a candidate of its own.
On April 30, 2004, the Natural Law Party officially disbanded its national organization, although a few state parties still remained active. The South Carolina branch of the party was taken over by the Green Party. However, several candidates were on the ballot in 2004 under the Natural Law banner, including Socialist Party Presidential Candidate Walt Brown. In 2006 the Idaho Natural Law Party merged with the new United Party, with the United Party taking over the ballot line via a name change.
Many party activists have shifted their attention to a new group, the United States Peace Government.
[edit] Presidential candidates
- 1992 - John Hagelin
- 1996 - John Hagelin
- 2000 - John Hagelin
- 2004 - Walt Brown
See also: List of political parties in the United States
