National Equality Party
From Usgs
| National Equality Party (NEP) | |
|---|---|
| |
| Historical/Reformed Federal Party | |
| Founded | 2006/2021 (Reformed) |
| Disbanded | 2013 |
| Political Ideology | Democratic Socialism |
| International Alignment | Socialist International |
| Colours | Teal |
| Abbreviation | NEP |
The National Equality Party, often referred to as the NEP, was a national party founded by Evangeline Heaton, who defected from the Democratic Party. Heaton was the party's chair throughout her Senate career and the NEP was seen as primarily revolving around her leadership, ultimately disbanding once she stepped down from the Senate and politics in 2013. A new NEP was founded by Eric Pattison in 2021.
Contents |
History
The NEP was founded by Heaton in 2006. Heaton was the Democratic Mayor of Paterson at the time and was elected to the House of Representatives in the 2006 elections. She was the NEPs sole member of Congress during the 110th Congress, representing New Jersey's 9th Congressional District. Following the 2008 elections the NEP doubled its representation in Congress, with Heaton being elected to the Senate and Kylie Beaverhausen elected to the House. The NEP doubled its Senate representation in 2009 with the defection of former Democratic Senator Nadine Monroe.
The party reached the height of its influence in 2011 following the election of an NEP legislator in the Mid-Atlantic in the 2010 election, at the time boasting 2 Senators (Heaton and Monroe), one Congresswoman (Beaverhausen) and one regional legislator. Beaverhausen did not run for re-election in 2010, with the NEP endorsing her eventual successor in the House, Democrat Blake Edwards. Under New York's party laws, Edwards was considered both a Democratic and NEP Congressman.
In 2011, Heaton was the NEPs candidate in the Mid-Alantic recall election, initially polling third with 14%, behind Democrat Layna Langdon on 26% and Republican David Gamble on 33%. The NEP also endorsed Alex Hernandez, who went on to received less than 1% of the vote. Heaton eventually pulled out of the race, endorsing Langdon, but still received over 1% on polling day.
Heaton announced her sudden resignation from the Senate in mid 2012, with all three other NEP elected officials subsequently choosing not to run for re-election in the 2012 election. The NEP ceased to be represented at the federal and regional level by the start of 2013 and has not made a significant impact on American politics since.
NEP members in Congress
House of Representatives
- Kylie Beaverhausen, New York Congresswoman (2009 - 2010)
- Blake Edwards, New York Congressman (2011 - 2012)
- Evangeline Heaton, New Jersey Congresswoman (2007 - 2008)
Senate
- Evangeline Heaton, Atlantic Seaboard Senator (2009 - 2012)
- Nadine Monroe, New England Senator (2009 - 2012)
