One state parties

[politicus]

Canada has a number of provincial parties that only operate on the provincial level, The US had Farmer-Labor in Minnesota 1918-44, but otherwise (successful) independent state parties have been conspicuously absent.

Granted, all Canadian provincial parties are independent of the federal parties, so this may make it more logical to establish purely provincial parties. Still, the difference is striking.

With increased national polarization and a  growing number of one-party states (especially in the South), could we see more state parties unaffiliated with Democrats and Republicans become successful? Like, say, an economically populist/SoCon party in West Virginia or Kentucky.

[Sol]

Canada has a number of provincial parties that only operate on the provincial level, some, like Wild Rose in Alberta, even governing their province, The US had Farmer-Labor in Minnesota 1918-44, but otherwise (successful) independent state parties have been conspicuously absent.

Granted, all Canadian provincial parties are independent of the federal parties, so this may make it more logical to establish purely provincial parties. Still, the difference is striking.

With increased national polarization and a  growing number of one-party states (especially in the South), could we see more state parties unaffiliated with Democrats and Republicans become successful? Like, say, an economically populist/SoCon party in West Virginia or Kentucky.

The Nonpartisan league also counts.

[Hatman 🍁]

Canada has a number of provincial parties that only operate on the provincial level, some, like Wild Rose in Alberta, even governing their province, The US had Farmer-Labor in Minnesota 1918-44, but otherwise (successful) independent state parties have been conspicuously absent.

Granted, all Canadian provincial parties are independent of the federal parties, so this may make it more logical to establish purely provincial parties. Still, the difference is striking.

With increased national polarization and a  growing number of one-party states (especially in the South), could we see more state parties unaffiliated with Democrats and Republicans become successful? Like, say, an economically populist/SoCon party in West Virginia or Kentucky.

Wildrose does not govern and has yet to have ever governed Alberta. Why do you even have an Alberta avatar?

[Indy Texas]

It would only work in the long term if you had a situation like New York where fusion tickets are allowed and the third parties basically exist to exert leverage over the two major parties with the threat of endorsing or not endorsing a given candidate.

Either that or there was a single local/regional issue that the two major parties weren't adequately addressing. It's hard to see how that situation would occur for more than a few cycles. The existence of the Silver Party in a few western silver-producing states in the late 19th century would be an example of that.

[they don't love you like i love you]

We still have the Independence Party, though they're not really much more anymore other than a ballot line that's used by both far right and far left candidates.

[Fritz]

Besides Farmer-Labor, Minnesota also had the Independence Party for a while- that's where Jesse Ventura came from.  The IP still puts some candidates on the ballot, but they are not competitive anymore.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Canada has a number of provincial parties that only operate on the provincial level, some, like Wild Rose in Alberta, even governing their province, The US had Farmer-Labor in Minnesota 1918-44, but otherwise (successful) independent state parties have been conspicuously absent.

Granted, all Canadian provincial parties are independent of the federal parties, so this may make it more logical to establish purely provincial parties. Still, the difference is striking.

With increased national polarization and a  growing number of one-party states (especially in the South), could we see more state parties unaffiliated with Democrats and Republicans become successful? Like, say, an economically populist/SoCon party in West Virginia or Kentucky.

The Nonpartisan league also counts.

To be fair, the league did attempt to spread beyond North Dakota. At its heyday, it was spread throughout the Midwest; but alas the iparty infrastructure did not survive the Roaring 20's.

I think the likeliest state for this to happen is Alaska, which is GOP controlled; but has a rather interesting divide between the establishment and newcomer upstarts. A handful of New England states - Vermont, Maine etc. - could also morph new regional parties as well.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I believe Wisconsin had a Progressive Party, though I could be mistaken.

[TNF]

I believe Wisconsin had a Progressive Party, though I could be mistaken.

You're correct. The La Follette machine divorced itself from the Wisconsin GOP in the 1930s and formed the Progressives before folding into the Democratic Party later on.

[Sol]

Canada has a number of provincial parties that only operate on the provincial level, some, like Wild Rose in Alberta, even governing their province, The US had Farmer-Labor in Minnesota 1918-44, but otherwise (successful) independent state parties have been conspicuously absent.

Granted, all Canadian provincial parties are independent of the federal parties, so this may make it more logical to establish purely provincial parties. Still, the difference is striking.

With increased national polarization and a  growing number of one-party states (especially in the South), could we see more state parties unaffiliated with Democrats and Republicans become successful? Like, say, an economically populist/SoCon party in West Virginia or Kentucky.

The Nonpartisan league also counts.

To be fair, the league did attempt to spread beyond North Dakota. At its heyday, it was spread throughout the Midwest; but alas the iparty infrastructure did not survive the Roaring 20's.

I think the likeliest state for this to happen is Alaska, which is GOP controlled; but has a rather interesting divide between the establishment and newcomer upstarts. A handful of New England states - Vermont, Maine etc. - could also morph new regional parties as well.

Vermont actually has the Vermont Progressive Party. IDK if they are attached to any other parties, but they have a few legislative seats.