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Randy Toler
Randall "Randy" Toler (born c. 1965) is an American anti-nuclear power activist, perennial candidate, computer technician, and environmentalist. He claimed to have founded the Green Party of the United States when he was 17 years old,[1] but this is disputed by the Green Party's official account.[2][3] Toler is a current co-chair of the Green Party of Florida.[4] Toler ran for school board in Hillsborough County, Florida in 2014 and 2016, losing both elections.[5] He has filed paperwork to run in both the 2024 Green Party presidential primaries and the Green Party nomination for the 2024 United States Senate election in Florida.[6][7] He has claimed to have run for many other offices, including Mayor of Chicago, Governor, and US Congress.[8] Founding of the Green Party of the United StatesToler has claimed to have founded the Green Party of the United States as a teenager in the 1970s while living in Niles, Michigan.[9] According to Toler, the party stuck mostly to the west coast for its first few years, with its largest branch in Chicago.[2][10] In 1983, the party went national, opting to endorse Walter Mondale's unsuccessful presidential run instead of supporting the proposed candidacy of John Anderson.[1][11] This led to a conflict with the Citizen's Party over which party would represent the US Green Party abroad.[10] Toler's party was often in dispute with the Green Party of California.[12] Toler's account has been disputed.[2][8] The Green Party's official account credits Alan Philbrook and John Rensenbrink for founding the Maine Green Party in 1984, which led to the national party being organized several years later.[13] Howie Hawkins stated that Toler's Green Party was "just one guy" and that he had "conned the media many times."[14] ActivismToler has been described as an "anti-nuclear" activist. In 1987, he attempted to recall Rolling Meadows mayor William Ahrens, but was denounced by many local politicians as an extremist.[15] That same year he organized a protest against Amerika, a television series.[16] In the early 2000s, Toler and his faction of the Green Party led opposition to an Illinois toll law.[17] LawsuitsToler sued the Newport Beach police chief in 1983 for $700 due to a high police presence outside of a Green Party fundraiser.[9] A spokesman for the police department denied any intention to monitor the group, instead citing concerns that alcohol would be served to minors at the event.[9] The lawsuit was dismissed by a judge.[18] In 1986, he sued a LaRouche movement-affiliated newspaper for $4 million dollars due to slanderous statements made about the Green Party and their policy positions on drug legalization.[19] Electoral history1984 congressional campaignToler declared his candidacy for California's 43rd congressional district on January 14, 1984 as a Democrat, having initially wanted to run against William Dannemeyer in the 39th district.[20][21] Toler lost the primary.
1992 and 1996 presidential electionsToler declared himself as a candidate for president in 1992,[23] he did not campaign and was not on any state's ballot. In 1996, he was a critical opponent of Ralph Nader's presidential candidacy.[24] Illinois politicsToler ran for mayor of Rolling Meadows in 1997 and 2001, but failed to make the ballot in either election.[25] 2014 school boardToler ran for school board for Hillsborough County Public Schools district on a platform calling for greater resources for special needs students.[26] He finished in 6th place.[5]
2016 school boardToler ran again for school board, calling for ending bureaucracy and the elimination of Common Core, in addition to increased resources for special needs kids.[27] His wife, Alica, also ran for a different school board seat.[28] He finished in 5th place,[5] while his wife also lost her election.[29]
2024 presidential campaignToler filed paperwork to run for president in August 2021,[6] but did not campaign for the office until July 2023.[30] His platform calls for "putting the green back in Green Party."[8] He received only a half delegate vote during the convention roll call.[31] Toler appeared at a Green Party debate in Worcester, Massachusetts.[32] He has also filed paperwork to run for US Senate in Florida.[7][30] Personal lifeToler was born in Elgin, Illinois and grew up in Niles, Michigan. He attended the University of Missouri.[33][34] He has three kids with his wife Alica.[34] Toler married Alicia Kirk in 1999, when he was 43 and when she was 19.[25] At the time, she was a retail clerk at a clothing store and wanted to become a model.[25] Their marriage caused controversy, as Kirk had just turned 18 years old when they became engaged.[35] References
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Portal di Ensiklopedia Dunia
