Randy Toler

Randall "Randy" Toler (born ) is an American anti-nuclear power activist, perennial candidate, computer technician, and environmentalist. He claimed to have founded the Green Party of the United States when he was 17 years old, but this is disputed by the Green Party's official account. Toler is a former co-chair of the Green Party of Florida.

Toler ran for school board in Hillsborough County, Florida in 2014 and 2016, losing both elections. He unsuccessfully ran in the 2024 Green Party presidential primaries, receiving 1 vote in the primaries and 1/2 a delegate at the 2024 Green National Convention. He has declared his candidacy for the 2028 Green Party presidential primary. He has claimed to have run for many other offices, including Mayor of Chicago, Governor, and US Congress.

Founding of the Green Party of the United States Toler has claimed to have founded the Green Party of the United States as a teenager in the 1970s while living in Niles, Michigan. According to Toler, the party stuck mostly to the west coast for its first few years, with its largest branch in Chicago. In 1983, the party went national, opting to endorse Walter Mondale's unsuccessful presidential run instead of supporting the proposed candidacy of John Anderson. This led to a conflict with the Citizen's Party over which party would represent the US Green Party abroad.

Toler's account has been disputed. Howie Hawkins stated that Toler's Green Party was "just one guy" and that he had "conned the media many times."

Activism Toler has been described as an "anti-nuclear" activist. In 1987, he attempted to recall Rolling Meadows mayor William Ahrens, but was denounced by many local politicians as an extremist. That same year he organized a protest against Amerika, a television series.

In the early 2000s, Toler and his faction of the Green Party led opposition to an Illinois toll law.

Lawsuits Toler sued the Newport Beach police chief in 1983 for $700 due to a high police presence outside of a Green Party fundraiser.

In 1986, he sued a LaRouche movement-affiliated newspaper for $4 million due to slanderous statements made about the Green Party and their policy positions on drug legalization.

Electoral history

1984 congressional campaign Toler declared his candidacy for California's 43rd congressional district on January 14, 1984 as a Democrat, having initially wanted to run against William Dannemeyer in the 39th district. Toler lost the primary.

1992 and 1996 presidential elections Toler declared himself as a candidate for president in 1992, he did not campaign and was not on any state's ballot. In 1996, he was a critical opponent of Ralph Nader's presidential candidacy.

Illinois politics Toler ran for mayor of Rolling Meadows in 1997 and 2001, but failed to make the ballot in either election.

2014 school board Toler ran for school board for Hillsborough County Public Schools district on a platform calling for greater resources for students in special education. He finished in 6th place. His wife, Alica, also ran for a different school board seat. He finished in 5th place,

2024 presidential campaign

Toler filed paperwork to run for president in August 2021, but did not campaign for the office until July 2023. His platform called for "putting the green back in Green Party."

He has also filed paperwork to run for US Senate in Florida. He has three kids with his wife Alica.