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Randy Toler
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Randall "Randy" Toler (born c. 1965) is an American anti-nuclear power activist, perennial candidate, computer technician, and environmentalist. He claimed to have founded the Green Party of the United States when he was 17 years old,[1] but this is disputed by the Green Party's official account.[2][3] Toler is a former co-chair of the Green Party of Florida.[4]
Key Information
Toler ran for school board in Hillsborough County, Florida in 2014 and 2016, losing both elections.[5] He unsuccessfully ran in the 2024 Green Party presidential primaries, receiving 1 vote in the primaries[6] and 1/2 a delegate at the 2024 Green National Convention[7]. He has declared his candidacy for the 2028 Green Party presidential primary[8]. He has claimed to have run for many other offices, including Mayor of Chicago, Governor, and US Congress.[9]
Founding of the Green Party of the United States
[edit]Toler has claimed to have founded the Green Party of the United States as a teenager in the 1970s while living in Niles, Michigan.[10] According to Toler, the party stuck mostly to the west coast for its first few years, with its largest branch in Chicago.[2][11] In 1983, the party went national, opting to endorse Walter Mondale's unsuccessful presidential run instead of supporting the proposed candidacy of John Anderson.[1][12] This led to a conflict with the Citizen's Party over which party would represent the US Green Party abroad.[11] Toler's party was often in dispute with the Green Party of California.[13]
Toler's account has been disputed.[2][9] The Green Party's official account credits Alan Philbrook and John Rensenbrink for founding the Maine Green Party in 1984, which led to the national party being organized several years later.[14] Howie Hawkins stated that Toler's Green Party was "just one guy" and that he had "conned the media many times."[15]
Activism
[edit]Toler has been described as an "anti-nuclear" activist. In 1987, he attempted to recall Rolling Meadows mayor William Ahrens, but was denounced by many local politicians as an extremist.[16] That same year he organized a protest against Amerika, a television series.[17]
In the early 2000s, Toler and his faction of the Green Party led opposition to an Illinois toll law.[18]
Lawsuits
[edit]Toler sued the Newport Beach police chief in 1983 for $700 due to a high police presence outside of a Green Party fundraiser.[10] A spokesman for the police department denied any intention to monitor the group, instead citing concerns that alcohol would be served to minors at the event.[10] The lawsuit was dismissed by a judge.[19]
In 1986, he sued a LaRouche movement-affiliated newspaper for $4 million due to slanderous statements made about the Green Party and their policy positions on drug legalization.[20]
Electoral history
[edit]1984 congressional campaign
[edit]Toler declared his candidacy for California's 43rd congressional district on January 14, 1984 as a Democrat, having initially wanted to run against William Dannemeyer in the 39th district.[21][22] Toler lost the primary.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lois E. Humphreys | 20,679 | 55.72% | |
| Democratic | Kevin Schmidt | 9,913 | 26.71 | |
| Democratic | Randy Toler | 6,519 | 17.57% | |
| Total votes | 37,111 | 100% | ||
1992 and 1996 presidential elections
[edit]Toler declared himself as a candidate for president in 1992,[24] he did not campaign and was not on any state's ballot. In 1996, he was a critical opponent of Ralph Nader's presidential candidacy.[25]
Illinois politics
[edit]Toler ran for mayor of Rolling Meadows in 1997 and 2001, but failed to make the ballot in either election.[26]
2014 school board
[edit]Toler ran for school board for Hillsborough County Public Schools district on a platform calling for greater resources for special needs students.[27] He finished in 6th place.[5]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | April Griffen (incumbent) | 31,272 | 27% | N/A | |
| Nonpartisan | Dipa Shah | 19,022 | 16.4% | N/A | |
| Nonpartisan | Stacy Hahn | 18,214 | 15.7% | N/A | |
| Nonpartisan | Paula P. Meckley | 17,050 | 14.7% | N/A | |
| Nonpartisan | Allison McGillivray Fernandez | 14,441 | 12.5% | N/A | |
| Nonpartisan | Randy Toler | 7,587 | 6.5% | N/A | |
| Nonpartisan | Lee Sierra | 5,044 | 4.4% | N/A | |
| Nonpartisan | Asher D. Edelson | 3,302 | 2.8% | N/A | |
2016 school board
[edit]Toler ran again for school board, calling for ending bureaucracy and the elimination of Common Core, in addition to increased resources for special needs kids.[28] His wife, Alica, also ran for a different school board seat.[29] He finished in 5th place,[5] while his wife also lost her election.[30]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Catherine James | 31,436 | 23.08% | N/A | |
| Nonpartisan | Lynn Gray | 26,795 | 19.67% | N/A | |
| Nonpartisan | Stanley Gray | 18,716 | 13.74% | N/A | |
| Nonpartisan | Alan Clendenin | 15,731 | 11.55% | N/A | |
| Nonpartisan | Randy Toler | 14,444 | 10.60% | N/A | |
| Nonpartisan | Joseph Caetano | 10,800 | 7.93% | N/A | |
| Nonpartisan | Carlos Frontela | 9,244 | 6.79% | N/A | |
| Nonpartisan | Norene Miller | 9,051 | 6.64% | N/A | |
2024 presidential campaign
[edit]Toler filed paperwork to run for president in August 2021,[31] but did not campaign for the office until July 2023.[32] His platform called for "putting the green back in Green Party."[9] During the primary cycle, he received a single vote in Texas[6].He received only a half delegate vote during the convention roll call.[33] Toler appeared at a Green Party debate in Worcester, Massachusetts.[34]
He has also filed paperwork to run for US Senate in Florida.[35][32]
2028 presidential campaign
[edit]Toler has declared his candidacy for the presidency in the 2028 Green Party primaries, once again using the slogan "Put the green back in the Green Party" and emphasizing the need for a competitive Green Party in the wake of the reelection of Donald Trump and the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires[8].
Personal life
[edit]Toler was born in Elgin, Illinois and grew up in Niles, Michigan. He attended the University of Missouri.[36][37] He has three kids with his wife Alica.[37] Toler married Alicia Kirk in 1999, when he was 43 and when she was 19.[26] At the time, she was a retail clerk at a clothing store and wanted to become a model.[26] Their marriage caused controversy, as Kirk had just turned 18 years old when they became engaged.[38]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Farrel, William (September 19, 1983). "U.S.A. GREEN PARTY COMES TO WASHINGTON AND BACKS MONDALE". New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ a b c Fitzgerald, Alison (August 29, 1997). "Green Party attempts to quell infighting and gain influence". The News Herald. Associated Press – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ Gaard, Greta (1998). Ecological Politics. Temple University Press. ISBN 978-1-4399-0398-8.
- ^ "2023-2024 Green Party of Florida Representatives". Green Party of Florida. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Randy Toler". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ a b "2024 State Convention". Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ Winger, Richard (August 18, 2024). "Green Party Convention Presidential Vote Tally". Ballot Access News. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Toler, Randy. "Randy Toler for US President 2028". Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ a b c Sokol, Markene (September 21, 2015). "Lifelong outsiders, married couple seek election to the Hillsborough School Board". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c Jeanne, Wright (June 4, 1983). "Greens leader sues Newport police chief over fund-raiser". Santa Ana Orange County Register. Retrieved August 22, 2024 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ a b "Two factions fight to represent West German Green Party in U.S. - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ "Mondale Choice of Green Party" (PDF). Arlington Heights Daily Herald. UPI. October 8, 1983. Retrieved August 22, 2024 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ Ross, Harold Wallace; White, Katharine Sergeant Angell (1996). The New Yorker. New Yorker Magazine.
- ^ "Early History of the United States Green Party, 1984-2001". www.gp.org. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ "Greens to convene in Sycaruse" (PDF). Syracuse Herald Journal. April 22, 1993 – via [NewspaperArchive]].
- ^ Rodriguez, Alex (April 30, 1987). "Man campaigns to dump mayor" (PDF). Arlington Heights Daily Herald – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ Gregory, Ted (September 8, 1987). "WLS hit for refusing to air anti-'Amerika' views" (PDF). Arlington Heights Daily Herald – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ Fusco, Chris (January 10, 2000). "Beware of a springtime tollway rebellion" (PDF). Arlington Heights Daily Herald – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ "Court dismisses suit against police chief" (PDF). Santa Ana Orange County Register. July 23, 1983.
- ^ "LaRouche paper sued" (PDF). Oak Forest Star. July 6, 1986 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ "Toler declares candidacy for 43rd district" (PDF). Santa Ana Orange County Register. January 14, 1984. p. 33 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ Olswang, John (May 20, 1984). "Candidates running quieter in 43rd US District race" (PDF). Santa Ana Orange County Register.
- ^ "CA District 43 - D Primary". OurCampaigns. August 20, 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ The Economist. Economist Newspaper Limited. 1992.
- ^ "Illinois says Nader presidential ballots shouldn't count" (PDF). Southern Illinoisan. Associated Press. October 31, 1996 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ a b c Dardick, Hal (October 20, 1999). "TOLER, FIANCE RUNNING FOR OFFICE". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ Perry, Mitch. "Green Party member vies for Hillsborough County School Board seat". Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ "Hillsborough County School Board District 6: Randy Toler". Plant City Observer. August 21, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ "Lifelong outsiders, married couple seek election to the Hillsborough School Board". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ "Alicia Toler". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1533674". docquery.fec.gov. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ a b Cruz, Abby; Gersony, Laura. "'People are hungry for more choices': Inside the Green Party's push for 2024". ABC News. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ Winger, Richard (August 18, 2024). "Green Party Convention Presidential Vote Tally". Ballot Access News. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ "Green Party candidates speak in Worcester Saturday". Spectrum News. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
- ^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1533671". docquery.fec.gov. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ "About". Randy Toler for US President 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ a b Comar, Wendy Rehm. "Randy Toler". Niles Class of 74. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ "BRIDE-TO-BE PUTS DCFS IN A PARENT TRAP". Chicago Tribune. March 21, 1999. Retrieved October 15, 2024.