Reformers in Both Parties: How the Reformer Party Operates Within the System
Introduction:
The Reformer Party is focused on a single, clear mission: convening Constitutional Convention to implement critical reforms to the rules that govern our country. Unlike other movements, the Reformer Party works within both major parties—Democratic and Republican— at the state legislature level, where power to call for a Constitutional Convention truly lies. In this post, we’ll explore how Reformer candidates operate within the two-party system and how their campaigns are centered on state-level action to achieve national change.
Running in Both Primaries:
Reformer Party candidates run for state legislative seats—the elected officials who hold the key to passing resolutions for a Constitutional Convention. These candidates participate in both Democratic and Republican primaries, depending on the political landscape of their district, but their platform remains the same regardless of party affiliation: to pass a resolution that brings the country one step closer to a Constitutional Convention.
By running in both major parties’ primaries, Reformer candidates are able to build bipartisan support for this reform movement, ensuring that voters on both sides of the aisle have the opportunity to back candidates committed to structural change. This flexibility allows the Reformer Party to focus on the larger goal of constitutional reform, rather than getting lost in partisan debates.
Campaign Platform:
Reformer candidates run on a simple, focused platform: they promise to introduce and fight for a resolution in their state legislature to call for a Constitutional Convention. If they fail in this effort, they will resign immediately. This laser-focused mission helps cut through the noise of typical political campaigns, where candidates often make numerous, vague promises.
By committing to just two clear actions—proposing the resolution and stepping down if it fails—Reformer candidates make their mission measurable. Voters know exactly what to expect and can hold them accountable to this single, crucial issue. There’s no ambiguity, and that’s what sets the Reformer Party apart from traditional political candidates.
Accountability Through Resignation:
At the heart of the Reformer Party’s mission is accountability. Reformer candidates are not career politicians—they are citizens dedicated to a cause. If they fail to deliver on their promise to pass a resolution for a Constitutional Convention, they will resign from office, allowing their district to return to conventional representation until the next election cycle.
This pledge to resign creates a new standard of honesty in politics. Voters can trust that Reformer candidates won’t cling to power or make excuses if they don’t deliver. If any candidate fails to honor this promise, they will be expelled from the Reformer Party. This kind of transparency is critical in building a movement centered on integrity and trust.
Why State-Level Focus Matters:
It’s important to remember that the power to call for a Constitutional Convention resides with state legislatures, not federal lawmakers. That’s why the Reformer Party focuses its efforts at the state level, where the real change begins. While the process to reach a Constitutional Convention requires the action of many states, each state that passes a resolution brings us closer to this national moment of reform. For a detailed explanation of the path to a Constitutional Convention, look forward to our upcoming Roadmap to a Constitutional Convention series.
Closing Thought:
In our next post, we’ll discuss why this level of accountability is so crucial in today’s political environment, and how it contrasts with the typical behavior of career politicians. Stay tuned as we continue to explore the unique approach of the Reformer Party and how we aim to rebuild trust in the political process.
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