Golisano Considers Reform Party Run

NEW YORK (AllPolitics, June 28) -- Rochester millionaire and former New York gubernatorial candidate B. Thomas Golisano announced he may seek the nomination of Texas billionaire Ross Perot's Reform Party.

Appearing with Reform Party national coordinator Russell Verney at the Waldorf-Astoria, Golisano, 54, told reporters, "If I got involved in either a presidential or a vice presidential candidacy, I would be able to do a lot of the funding myself."

That's critical for the Reform Party. Though Perot has said he won't necessarily be the Party nominee, most believe he will be given the enormous task of raising the millions of dollars needed for a national campaign. Campaign finance laws prohibit Perot (or anyone) from contributing more than $1,000 to an individual candidate, while Perot could spend freely on his own candidacy.

Golisano spent $6.5 million on his independent bid for governor two years ago, for which he received more than 217,000 votes. Now in charge of a payroll processing company, Golisano says he might help with the Reform Party finances.

Verney announced that the Reform Party would join forces with the Independence Party to avoid having to circulate petitions, an effort Verney characterized as "obscene." He reiterated his promise that the party, "will be on all 50 state ballots this year."

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