Self-Identified Reform Activists Challenge Kennedy Nomination, Demand New Convention

Self-described activists with the Reform Party are pushing back against the recent nomination of independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and are calling for the party to hold a new in-person convention.

In an email sent to the national leadership of the Reform Party, with the Florida Bureau of Election Records and Independent Political Report included as recipients, several members claiming to be Reform Party “activists” called the selection of Kennedy at the party’s May 23 convention a violation of its governing documents and suggested it was the result of a corrupt deal with the Kennedy campaign.

The activists claim that it will lead to legal consequences and tarnish the legacy of the organization, and are now demanding an in-person convention in accordance with the party’s rules.

We, activists of the Reform Party of Florida are appalled at the attempt by the Reform Party National Committee to anointe Robert Kennedy as the Reform Party Presidential nominee without holding a national convention. It’s a clear violation of the Reform Party National Committee’s governing documents, and smells of a corrupt bargain between National Leadership and the Kennedy campaign. This is not an emergency situation that justifies this unilateral action by the Reform Party National Committee. These actions will result in legal action and undermine the Reform Party’s legitimacy. We demand an in person Convention per the Reform Party National Committee governing documents and that the follows it’s governing documents.

Email sent to Reform Party leadership, 6/13/2024.,

The email also included a letter reiterating their request for a new convention and adding that, in addition to the convention not being announced 14 days in advance, had they known about it ahead of time, they would have also participated and considered seeking the party’s nomination. Several copies of the letter were sent, with each copy signed by either George Boone, Anna Boone, or Christy Adams.

Editorial note: Reform Party of Florida Chair Jenniffer Desatoff has since pushed back on social media against claims by the three signatories that they are members of the Reform Party of Florida, noting that these individuals are not in the party’s member database.

Earlier in May, the Reform Party announced on its website that it would be holding a national convention later that month. Independent Political Report learned ahead of the convention that some members would push to amend the agenda that night to include the selection of a presidential ticket.

Kennedy ultimately won the nomination with the expectation of being placed on the ballot in Florida, where the party was actively working to regain its ballot access. The party has since regained its ballot access line in the state.

In a statement to IPR, Chair Nicholas Hensley said that the party did follow proper procedures regarding the convention, stating,

The Reform Party bylaws that were cited are the old bylaws that were replaced in their entirety during the Baton Rouge convention. Regardless, both sets of bylaws clearly that state that the notice of convention is to be sent to the state organizations 14 days before the convention. That was done.

The bylaws do not give a time frame for the public notice – this is on purpose. We wait for all recognized affiliates to respond that they have received notice and then make a public release.

In this way, we give all of the affiliates time to prepare for any internal operation necessary before the public begins asking them questions.

You never want a secretary or state chair say “I don’t know. I wasn’t informed”

And no. There is no language in the bylaws that say we have to nominate in person. That was argued in the 2004 Ralph Nader case and was struck down harshly by the courts

Reform Party Chair Nicholas Hensley, 6/13/2024

Hensley additionally confirmed that the party sent out proper notice ahead of the convention announcement on the party website and that he has such information on record.

Editorial note: An earlier version of this article referred to the Reform Party members responsible for the letter to the national Reform Party leadership as party activists. It has since been amended to clarify that the term “activists” was used by the authors in the letter to describe themselves.