Delegates Unbound is an American non-profit political organization established in 2016. According to the organization, the group is "working to bring long term reform to the
Republican Party."
The group also states that its "primary focus" is educating delegates to the
2016 Republican National Convention
The 2016 Republican National Convention, in which delegates of the United States Republican Party chose the party's nominees for president and vice president in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, was held July 18โ21, 2016, at Quicken Lo ...
"that they are unbound and free to vote as they see fit on all matters before the
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention (RNC) is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1856 by the United States Republican Party. They are administered by the Republican National Committee. The goal of the Repu ...
, including whomever they wish to be the Republican nominee for
President
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
*President (education), a leader of a college or university
*President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Automobiles
* Nissan President, a 1966โ2010 Japanese ful ...
" in the
2016 presidential election.
Overview
In June 2016, activists
Eric O'Keefe
Eric O'Keefe (born March 11, 1961) is an American author, editor, and journalist based in Texas. His most recent book is the Palm Beach polo murder mystery ''The Perfect 10''. He authored the book '' The Cup'' and co-wrote the screenplay for the ...
and Dane Waters formed Delegates Unbound, which
CNN
CNN (Cable News Network) is a multinational cable news channel headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. Founded in 1980 by American media proprietor Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld as a 24-hour cable news channel, and presently owned by the M ...
described as "an effort to convince delegates that they have the authority and the ability to vote for whomever they want." The group is a
501(c)(4)
A 501(c) organization is a nonprofit organization in the Law of the United States#Federal law, federal law of the United States according to Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. ยง 501(c)) and is one of over 29 types of nonprofit organizations exe ...
non-profit organization
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
.
Delegates Unbound published a book, ''Unbound: The Conscience of a Republican Delegate'', written by Republican delegates
Curly Haugland
Erling George Haugland, known as Curly Haugland, is an American politician and businessman. He has served as the Republican National Committeeman for North Dakota since 1999. Haugland was elected chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party in ...
and Sean Parnell. The book, funded by the
Citizens in Charge Foundation
The Citizens in Charge Foundation (CCF) is a nonprofit organization, nonprofit, non-partisan organization that advocates in favor of direct democracy. It was founded by libertarian activist Paul Jacob who has served as its president since its foun ...
, argues that "delegates are not bound to vote for any particular candidate based on primary and caucus results, state party rules, or even state law."
According to the group, "There is no language supporting binding in the temporary rules of the convention, which are the only rules that matter" and "barring any rules changes at the convention, delegates can vote their conscience on the first ballot."
[ The group's co-founder, Eric O'Keefe, said, "Our goal is simple, to ensure the delegates are not misled to believe they must follow orders or rules set by others."] O'Keefe added that he believes state laws and state party rules purporting to bind delegates to a particular candidate based on primary or caucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeting ...
results are unenforceable and would lose a court challenge.
Delegates Unbound began airing national television advertisements in late June 2016. The group's first advertisement spliced together clips of President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...
and Donald Trump
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
Trump graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pe ...
and urged Republican delegates to follow their consciences. The group planned to spend $2.5 million to $3.5 million on education and anti-Trump efforts.
See also
* Stop Trump movement
The Never Trump movement, also called the #nevertrump, Stop Trump, anti-Trump, or Dump Trump movement, began as an effort on the part of a group of Republicans (known as Never Trump Republicans) and other prominent conservatives to prevent R ...
* Free the Delegates
Free the Delegates was an American political effort within the Republican Party, formed in June 2016 by delegate and Rules Committee member Kendal Unruh to the 2016 Republican National Convention (July 18โ21, 2016) with the goal of nominating a ...
* Our Principles PAC—an anti-Trump outside group that worked to elect anti-Trump delegates.
References
External links
* {{official website, http://www.delegatesunbound.com
Delegates Unbound advertisement "Follow Your Conscience"
Political movements in the United States
Non-profit organizations based in the United States
501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations
Republican Party (United States) organizations
2016 United States Republican presidential primaries
United States presidential nominating conventions
Never Trump movement