Roemer switches to independent
Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer is leaving the Republican Party and going independent in his bid to become the next president.
Barely registering in presidential polling and unable to get invited to major debates, Roemer said Wednesday in an announcement that he will seek the nomination of a third-party ticket in order to get on the ballots.
Roemer is expected to make his plans official Thursday at a news conference from Santa Monica, Calif.
“As the GOP and the networks host debate number twenty-something this evening, they have once again turned their backs on the democratic process by choosing to exclude a former governor and congressman,” Roemer said in his announcement.
“I have decided to take my campaign directly to the American people by declaring my candidacy for Americans Elect,” he stated. “Also, after many discussions with The Reform Party, I am excited to announce my intentions of seeking their nomination.”
Roemer declined interviews prior to the news conference, but his spokesman, Carlos Sierra, said the former governor will switch his party affiliation from Republican to “No Party” in Louisiana.
As for the third-party tickets, Americans Elect is an non-partisan group hosting the first online presidential primary in U.S. history. The Reform Party was founded by former presidential candidate Ross Perot in 1995 as an alternative to the two-party system.
The GOP debate Wednesday was hosted by CNN and the Republican Party of Arizona and it featured only the top four Republican contenders: Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Rep. Ron Paul.
Roemer was the governor of Louisiana from 1988 to 1992, but he has not held a political office since. He switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party while serving as governor in 1991.
He has only gained limited traction in Louisiana for his presidential bid. Gov. Bobby Jindal early on endorsed Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who has since dropped out of the race.