Perennial candidate explained

A perennial candidate is a political candidate who frequently runs for elected office and rarely, if ever, wins.[1] Perennial candidates are most common where there is no limit on the number of times that a person can run for office and little cost to register as a candidate.[2]

Definition

A number of modern articles related to electoral politics or elections have identified those who have run for elected office and lost two to three times, and then decide to mount a campaign again as perennial candidates.[3] [4] [5] However, some articles have listed a number of notable exceptions.[2] [6]

Some who have had their campaign applications rejected by their country's electoral authority multiple times have also been labelled as perennial candidates.[7]

Reason for running

It has been noted that some perennial candidates take part in an election with the aim of winning,[3] [8] and some do have ideas to convey on the campaign trail, regardless of their chance for winning.[2] [9] Others have names similar to known candidates, and hope that the confusion will lead to success.

Some perennial candidates may mount a run as a way to help strengthen their party's standing in a parliamentary body, in an effort to become kingmaker in the event of a political stalemate.[10]

Some perennial candidates have been accused of running for office continuously as a way to get public election funding.[11] Some have also been accused of being backed by the government of their country, in an effort to make the government appear more rational in comparison.[12]

Novelty candidates are those who run for office as a form of satire or protest, with no serious policies.

Americas

Argentina

Brazil

Due to the complex and intricate political system in Brazil concerning political parties, there are more than 30 political parties. In this scenario, it is very useful to have hopeless candidates who can make a good number of votes and increase the overall votes count of a party (or coalition). As a consequence, there are thousands of small perennial candidates for local elections around the country, whose sole purpose is helping others get elected, then ask for a job in the elected government cabinet.

Canada

See main article: List of perennial candidates in Canada.

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Ecuador

Mexico

Nicaragua

Paraguay

Peru

United States

See main article: List of perennial candidates in the United States.

Africa

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Kenya

Mozambique

Nigeria

Atiku Abubakar ran for president in 1993, 2007, 2015, 2019 and 2023.

Senegal

Seychelles

Tanzania

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Asia

Hong Kong

India

Indonesia

Iran

Israel

Japan

Philippines

See main article: Nuisance candidate.

Singapore

Taiwan

Turkey

Europe

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Finland

France

Germany

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Malta

Netherlands

Poland

Romania

Russia

Slovakia

United Kingdom

Oceania

Australia

New Zealand

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Zeitz . Josh . The Death of the Three-Time Candidate . August 27, 2021 . . February 8, 2015. ...Harold Stassen is remembered as the “Grand Old Party’s Grand Old Loser”—the onetime “Boy Governor” who ran for president 10 times between 1948 and 1992—a “perennial, never-say-die candidate” whose quixotic, lifetime quest for the White House obscured an otherwise brilliant public career..
  2. News: Brown . Chris . Canada election 2015: Perennial candidates make running and losing a full-time job . August 28, 2021 . . September 29, 2015.
  3. News: Weeks. Linton. September 23, 2011. Also-Rans: What Drives The Perennial Candidates?. NPR. August 28, 2021. For the purposes of this story, we are defining the perennial presidential candidate as someone who runs for — and loses — the race to the White House at least twice. And then runs again..
  4. News: May 28, 2021. Iran's presidential election: Who the candidates are. BBC News. August 28, 2021. [Mohsen Rezai] has stood three times as president, and never held public office, having also failed in a bid to be elected to parliament in 2000. He is commonly referred to as a "perennial candidate"..
  5. News: Samuels. Alex. Radcliffe. Mary. June 9, 2021. Most Candidates Take The Hint After Two Losses. Why Won't Beto O'Rourke and Charlie Crist?. FiveThirtyEight. August 28, 2021. ...both O’Rourke and Crist are risking their political credibility if they run again and lose, as they’ve already failed to win two consecutive runs for office. Even worse, they could be marked as perennial candidates..
  6. News: Zeitz. Josh. February 8, 2015. The Death of the Three-Time Candidate. Politico Magazine. August 27, 2021. Henry Clay, whom Abraham Lincoln called his “beau ideal of a statesman,” ran for president four times. No one remembers him as a joke. William Jennings Bryan was a three-time Democratic presidential nominee. Also not a joke. Adlai Stevenson, twice nominated. Hubert Humphrey, Stassen’s fellow Minnesotan, ran three times. Ronald Reagan lost the GOP nomination in 1968 and 1976 before his victory in 1980. Definitely not a joke..
  7. News: Kenyon. Peter. May 31, 2021. Iran's Presidential Candidate Slate Leans Heavily Toward Hard-Liners. NPR. August 29, 2021. ...a former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was rejected again. He's becoming known as a perennial candidate..
  8. News: Bor. Jonathan. October 2, 2005. Perennial candidate 'always ran to win'. The Baltimore Sun. August 29, 2021.
  9. News: Gardner. Steven. May 20, 2008. Perennial Candidate Says It's Not About Winning. Kitsap Sun. Gannett. Bremerton, Washington. August 28, 2021.
  10. News: 港报社评:宋楚瑜明知会输一定要赢. zh-hans. Hong Kong Newspaper Editorial: James Soong knows he will lost, but he must win. Hong Kong Economic Journal. Reuters. August 28, 2021. 宋楚瑜这位人所称颂的「政治精算师」胜算渺茫,他自己肯定比谁都清楚,那他为什么还要明知不可为而为之?最合理的推测是宋楚瑜企图成为足以左右大局的关键少数派,选总统第四次落败不重要,重要的是利用曝光机会拉抬他一手创立的亲民党,争取最多的立委席位,假如下届立法院选举一如预料蓝营绿营皆不过半,高举非蓝非绿旗帜的第三势力有望荣膺造王者。(The winning odds of James Soong, a man praised by people as a 'political calculator,' are slim, and he certainly knows that better than any other person, but why is he doing what he knows cannot happen? The most reasonable assumption is he is trying to be a key minority. Losing the presidency four times is not important. The most important thing is he uses his exposure to lift the election results of the People First Party he founded, and win more parliamentary seats. If the next Legislative Yuan election does, as predicted, create a situation with neither the pan-blue and pan-green camps have a majority, the non-blue, non-green camp can become the kingmaker).
  11. News: September 7, 2015. 宋楚瑜選不停為補助款? 施明德:難免會聯想到. zh-hant. James Song is running non-stop for public election money? Shih Ming-teh: it's hard not to imagine. NOWNews. Taipei, Republic of China (Taiwan). August 28, 2021.
  12. News: Ludwig. Jonathan Z.. March 14, 2018. The Illusion of Russian Elections and Russian Power. 2. SAGE International Australia. August 29, 2021. Perennial candidate and leader of the LDPR Vladimir Zhirinovsky, long thought to be funded by the Kremlin to make them look rational by comparison, is once again on the ballot..
  13. News: Michael Baldasaro, Hamilton's high priest of pot, dead at 67 . Teviah . Moro . June 10, 2016 . The Hamilton Spectator.
  14. News: Michael Baldasaro, marijuana activist and mayoral candidate, dies at 67 . Samantha . Caggs . June 9, 2016 . CBC Hamilton.
  15. Web site: Candidates | Canadian Elections Database. canadianelectionsdatabase.ca.
  16. https://archive.today/20130204121401/http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1465931 "Popescu charged for comments on gays"
  17. News: Candidate wants apology, NDP to dump Pat Martin for 'son of a bitch' comment . CBC News . Winnipeg . September 18, 2015 . 2018-10-13.
  18. Web site: Nominated Candidates – Election 2018 – City of Winnipeg . City of Winnipeg . 2018-10-13.
  19. The Hindu – May 3, 2004
  20. News: Infographic: Dr K Padmarajan: The man who contested 199 elections | India News – Times of India. The Times of India. March 30, 2019 .
  21. https://www.suara.com/news/2019/05/21/123418/3-kali-kalah-jejak-prabowo-subianto-di-pilpres-2009-2014-dan-2019 3 Kali Kalah, Jejak Prabowo Subianto di Pilpres 2009, 2014, dan 2019
  22. News: Indonesia defence minister Prabowo accepts party's nomination to run for president . Reuters . August 12, 2022 .
  23. News: Iran election: Mohsen Rezaei profile. The Daily Telegraph. Robert Tait. London. March 26, 2015. June 15, 2013.
  24. Web site: Unknown joins Likud leadership race. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120118023216/http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=251697. 2012-01-18.
  25. Hongo, Jun Mac who would be governor says: Smile Jan 4, 2013 Japan Times Retrieved July 31 and 2, 016
  26. Osaki, Tomohiro Lesser-known candidates in the Tokyo gubernatorial race make their case July 29, 2016 Japan Times Retrieved July 31, 2016,
  27. Johnston, Eric Lack of interest in Osaka mayoral race threatens to damage Ishin brand March 20, 2014 Retrieved July 31, 2016,
  28. http://tokyodesu.com/2013/01/30/chiyoda-city-mayoral-candidate-wants-you-to-know-he-loves-japan-war-criminals/ Chiyoda City Mayoral Candidate Wants You to Know He Loves Japan, War Criminals Jan 30, 2013
  29. http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/1775499/naked-nationalist-stirs-japan-elections Nationalist Teruki Goto appears in a Japanese election campaign in just his birthday suit April 24, 2015
  30. News: Ozawa. Harumi. Cabbie, dilettante and prolific inventor in fray to lead Tokyo. February 14, 2017. New York Times.
  31. Web site: Umali. Justin. A Look into the Most Consequential Election in our History: the 1935 Presidential Elections. Esquiremag.ph. February 23, 2020.
  32. Web site: Lalu. Gabriel Pabico. October 1, 2021. Netizens ask: Did Elly Pamatong file his COC? Spox: No. He's dead. 2021-10-06. INQUIRER.net. en.
  33. Web site: Věčný kandidát Petr Hannig. Euro.cz. December 2, 2017. cs. November 7, 2017.
  34. Web site: Hannig může kandidovat na Hrad. Pomohli mu i noví poslanci. Novinky.cz. October 26, 2017 . December 2, 2017. cs. Borgis.
  35. Web site: Kandidovat na prezidenta může i hudebník Hannig, získal podporu poslanců. iDNES.cz. December 2, 2017. October 26, 2017. Mafra.
  36. Web site: Kandidáti na prezidenta. Kdo získal podpisy a kdo nakonec souboj vzdal? . Forum24.cz . November 7, 2022 . cs-CZ.
  37. Web site: Miroslav Sládek jde do prezidentské kandidatury. Parlamentní Listy. December 13, 2017.
  38. Web site: Z prezidentské volby odstoupil známý kandidát. S ohledem na volby nemá smysl kandidovat, tvrdí. EuroZprávy.cz. December 13, 2017. cs. October 26, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171026111100/http://domaci.eurozpravy.cz/politika/204939-z-prezidentske-volby-odstoupil-znamy-kandidat-s-ohledem-na-volby-nema-smysl-kandidovat-tvrdi/. dead.
  39. Web site: O Hrad se opět hlásí Švejnar. Ale není o něj zájem. Novinky.cz. June 4, 2016 . December 2, 2017. cs. Borgis.
  40. Web site: Paroubkův pokus o návrat. Zase bude zvolen předsedou, zase projede volby a zase se po něm slehne zem . Reflex.cz . 10 June 2024 . cs.
  41. Jan Knauer: Bürgerengagement und Protestpolitik. Das politische Wirken des „Remstalrebellen“ Helmut Palmer und die Reaktionen seiner Mitmenschen. Dissertation. Tübingen 2012
  42. Web site: ElectionsIreland.org: Seán Loftus. electionsireland.org.
  43. Web site: ElectionsIreland.org: Charlie Keddy . 2023-10-15 . electionsireland.org.
  44. Web site: 2007-05-16 . Charlie fails to register before the closing date . 2023-10-15 . Independent.ie . en.
  45. Web site: 2011-03-02 . Webmaster Carroll is first election casualty . 2023-10-16 . Independent.ie . en.
  46. Web site: ElectionsIreland.org: Jim Tallon . 2023-10-16 . electionsireland.org.
  47. Web site: 2015-03-07 . Jim Tallon is laid to rest . 2023-10-16 . Independent.ie . en.
  48. Web site: 2022-06-14 . Castelguidone, l’unico candidato De Santis: «Io sconosciuto? Non avevo tempo per la campagna elettorale» . 2024-06-10 . Corriere della Sera . it-IT.
  49. Web site: online . Redazione . Vigile urbano di Gallipoli candidato sindaco «seriale» in Abruzzo . 2024-06-10 . www.lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it . it.
  50. Web site: Redazione . 2024-06-01 . La strana storia di Guglielmo De Santis, vigile urbano pugliese che a ogni elezione sceglie un paesino in Abruzzo per candidarsi a sindaco . 2024-06-10 . Open . it-IT.
  51. Web site: Vella . Rachel . Żaren tal-Ajkla b'71 vot . 2022-10-09 . TVMnews.mt . June 5, 2017 . en-US.
  52. Web site: Żaren 'tal-Ajkla' will return to the ballot sheet as general election candidate – The Malta Independent . 2022-10-09 . www.independent.com.mt.
  53. Web site: Vella . Rachel . Żaren tal-Ajkla obtained 71 votes in election . 2022-10-09 . TVMnews.mt . June 5, 2017 . en-GB.
  54. Web site: Thousands show up for Ajkla meeting . 2022-10-09 . Times of Malta . February 17, 2013 . en-gb.
  55. http://smolnarod.ru/sn/kandidatom-v-prezidenty-stal-deputat-kotorogo-otvergli-v-smolenske/ Кандидатом в президенты стал депутат, которого отвергли в Смоленске
  56. Web site: Кавказский Узел | Булаев Олег Александрович.
  57. Web site: Tom Mendelsohn: Howling Laud Hope – a profile . https://archive.today/20121019053338/http://indyeagleeye.livejournal.com/210310.html . dead . October 19, 2012 . Independent Minds . July 10, 2016 .
  58. Web site: Ashburton | Charity Shop Tourism . September 14, 2009 . charityshoptourism.wordpress.com . 2014-07-12 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20120424231641/http://charityshoptourism.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/ashburton/ . 2012-04-24 .
  59. Web site: BBC News | UK Politics | Loony tradition continues at by-election . news.bbc.co.uk . 2014-07-12 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20150416052747/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/383356.stm . 2015-04-16 .
  60. Nottingham Post, May 13, 2010
  61. [Antony Green]
  62. (August 3, 2015).Voulez-vous vote for me: van Lieshout – Yahoo!7 News. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  63. Web site: EXCLUSIVE: Rachel MacGregor files lawsuit against Colin Craig. 2021-09-07. . en-NZ.
  64. News: Venter . Nick . Burma Bill fought for young Maori . . June 11, 2011 . A25 .
  65. News: Political aspirant Moncur dies . . February 12, 1998 . 3 .
  66. News: Watts . Barrie . Saul – a loser's loser . . October 15, 1971 .
  67. News: Moran . Paul . Lone loser won't give up lifelong battle . . November 14, 1980 .
  68. News: Lives of Note - Vince Bamboo Terreni . . October 7, 2004 . B7 .
  69. Web site: Conway . Glenn . Who is Peter Wakeman? . . September 3, 2013.
  70. Web site: Tauranga byelection candidates step forward to fill Simon Bridges' shoes . March 17, 2022 . . . Sandra . Conchie . subscription .