contact us: waprog2@yahoo.com or greyfuzz@eskimo.com or PO Box 1034, Puyallup, WA 98371 The Progressive Party was formed in 1912 when Theodore Roosevelt ran against William Howard Taft for president of the United States. Taft represented machine politics and had a decided conservative world-view. The Progressives were activists already working for women's suffrage, labor rights, a living wage, conservation of our natural resources, election reforms, safe working conditions, tax reform, an end to child labor and a start to Native American citizenship. This is the
1912 party platform Although there was a national election, in which Roosevelt placed second, defeating Taft, but not Wilson...We had a very strong state party. Washington voter elected 50 total Progressives to the Washington State Legislature: (1913 to 1927) and
Three Progressive to Congress.
Robert La Follette was a great pioneer of election reform, and was responsible for: Direct Presidential primaries, Initiatives, Referendums and Recall petitions, policing Lobbyist's
activities, as well as a suggestion to add a second, or even third choice for voters in a primary vote. He did not get along with Roosevelt, so he waited until 1924 to run for president on the Progressive ticket. This is the
1924 party platform. After his campaign failed, party members were tempted into the Democratic party with promises of passing the reforms the party had held dear since the beginning.
Disgusted with the failure of the Democrats to do as they promised, Progressives were willing to form the party again.
Many had lost heart, and did not support the latest incarnation of the party. Henry Wallace and Glen Taylor became the party's Presidential and Vice-presidential candidates. They built a
coalition which included labor unions, pro-integration southerners, and a few members of the Communist Party willing to buck their own party's unwillingness to support candidates from any other party. This is the
1948 party platform Lyle Mercer was there for the 1948 Progressive Party campaign. Here is an interview with
him - Eyewitness
Although the party disappeared for a number of years, it has resurfaced again in 2003. This is the current incarnation.
We asked The Progressive Party of Vermont to give us permission to start up in Washington. Christal Wood was our first candidate, for Seattle mayor in 2003. Linde Knighton ran as a Progressive for state representative in 2004.
An American Original
Fun Fact!
Because the Progressive Party of Washington had a female elector, Helen Scott, she became the first woman to legally vote for president of the United States when Roosevelt carried Washington.
1919 Seattle General Strike
Cannery Workers in Labor Day Parade 1940
Seattle School Boycott
Farmerworkers Protest
Billy Frank Jr. in Fishing Protest at Lyle Point
WTO 1999