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Friday, July 25, 1997

Dueling Reform parties planning October conventions

By KATIE FAIRBANK / Associated Press Writer

DALLAS (AP) - Both political groups who are laying claim to the Reform Party name are planning October conventions in the Midwest in attempts to solidify their organizations.

The Reform Party, founded by billionaire Ross Perot, has scheduled a three-day national organizing convention Oct. 31-Nov. 2 in Kansas City, Mo.

The dissident faction, self-described as the National Reform Party Steering Committee, wants to dilute the influence of Perot and his loyalists, and has scheduled a convention for Oct. 3-5 in Schaumburg, Ill.

Russ Verney, who was chairman of Perot's presidential race and is the current chairman of the Perot supporters' Reform Party National Organizing Committee, said it doesn't bother him that the other group is planning a convention.

"People can try to claim a name," he said, adding that it's unlikely that Perot supporters will file legal action.

"They're a greedy outfit out to get control of the money in the year 2000. They're not about a party building from the bottom up," he said of the NRPSC.

The issue of who may use the Reform Party name was put before the Federal Election Commission by the dissident group earlier this year. An FEC decision would remove questions about which group would be eligible for federal funds during the presidential campaign in 2000, but the agency said it had not received enough information to make a ruling.

Perot supporters say their convention is intended to help their group evolve from a loose confederation of state parties into a permanent political institution, with bylaws, party rules and a platform.

State organizations are being asked to approve a resolution affiliating with the National Organizing Committee, since the rival group is competing for the party name.

Verney said Reform Party activists in 22 to 25 states have held state conventions and have elected officers. All states will be organized before the founding convention, he said.

Perot loyalists say the Dallas billionaire is not bankrolling or controlling the party.

Still, the NRPSC decided in June to hold its convention separately to sever the connection with Perot. "It is essential for the new party to grow beyond the influence of a single individual if it is to succeed as a credible third-party choice for the American people," its chairwoman, Dr. Linda Witherspoon of Tennessee, said in a news release.

Dr. Witherspoon said her group may file additional information with the FEC.

"That still is an open situation. It is not unreasonable that we will pursue that," she said.

The NRPSC first started forming last year after former Colorado governor Dick Lamm lost a bid to Perot for the Reform Party presidential nomination.

Many felt the nomination process was unfair. Others were upset with decisions made from Perot's Dallas headquarters. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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