Former American Independent Party (AIP) chairman Jim King of California died Friday April 29 at the age of 75. King was chairman of the AIP from 2002 to 2004, vice chairman from 2004 to 2006, and a member of the Constitution Party National Committee from 2006 to 2008.
“He was an excellent Chairman,” writes former AIP vice chairman Don Grundmann, “and will be greatly missed.”
King’s chairmanship coincided with the AIP’s affiliation with the Constitution Party. He was involved in the 2008 AIP internal squabble. The faction wanting to remain affiliated with the Constitution Party elected King as chairman. However, the Secretary of State (SOS) recognized the faction opposing affiliation, which elected the late Markham Robinson as chairman. Earlier this year, the SOS’s “Report of Registration” still listed Robinson as chairman despite his August 2021 death. The most recent SOS report currently lists no chairman.
Additionally, King ran four times for Lieutenant Governor of California in 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014. In 2016, he ran for President of the United States.
“I want to honor the memory of a very nice, moral man for whom I had the honor of knowing,” writes Chelene Nightingale, who ran for governor in 2010 as the AIP nominee alongside King, in a Facebook tribute. “He loved Jesus, his family and country. He always had a jolly smile. He will be missed. Rest in peace Jim.”
Thanks to Don Grundmann for the news.
