Reform Party Chair Reflects on 2024 Election Cycle

Reform National Committee Chair Nicholas Hensley addressed members of the party in a recent letter, reflecting on the organization’s progress, challenges, and aspirations following the end of the 2024 election cycle.

In a formal letter this week, Hensley discussed party growth over the last year and areas he feels the Reform Party can distinguish itself in future cycles. He described the results of the past presidential election as resulting in a narrow victory for Republican Donald Trump, which he said in turn failed to establish a mandate and signaled the need for “cooperation between political parties to accomplish great things.”

Hensley acknowledged division in the party over its endorsement of then-independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services earlier this month.

While he said some members regarded the news as a positive development, others felt strongly to the contrary. Despite that, Hensley stressed that the party’s broader goals of supporting candidates and advocating for the platform otherwise remain unchanged, and urged members to regard the appointment as a win for the organization.

“Several times over the past four years, we have lost an election, but our candidate got an appointment to a public board by their opponents. As a minor party, we must take our victories where we find them,” Hensley stated. “Despite what most see as a bittersweet ending, the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy capped a strong four years.”

Hensley praised the final showing of Kennedy, who remained in the ballot in several states even after suspending his campaign, calling it “the largest vote total since Ross Perot ran on our line in 1996” and suggested it was reflective of the party’s overall growth.

He also celebrated the organization gaining ten new officeholders—consisting of a combination of both elected and appointed—and pointed to it as a significant shift from the previous cycle, when the party had no representation. Hensley said the party intends to examine those races where Reform candidates narrowly lost as future focus areas.

Hensley also said that both membership and financial support of the party saw notable growth. According to the statement, active membership has tripled, with a 20% increase in 2024 alone. Financial contributions similarly improved, with the party raising over $21,000 in the last cycle compared to just $769 in the previous one. Hensley attributed this progress to support from small-dollar donors.

Looking ahead, Hensley touched on several areas where the Reform Party can differ itself from the Trump administration, including budgetary concerns, trade policies, and foreign affairs. He echoed Ross Perot’s historic call for fiscal responsibility, critiqued the use of excessive tariffs, and cautioned against deeper U.S. involvement in global conflicts. Hensley thanked the party’s supporters, urging a call to action and for more to take on leadership roles within the party.

“The Reform Party is growing,” Hensley added. “I will reiterate that our goals for the next four years remain the same. We will support good candidates for office, we will promote our platform, we will improve our membership, we will find new donors and we will work towards REFORM in each state and territory of the United States of America.”