Robert J. Healey

Robert J. Healey Jr. (May 3, 1957 – March 20, 2016) was an American attorney, businessman, and political activist. He was the founder of Rhode Island's Cool Moose Party, the state's third-largest political party from 1994 until 2002, and was a perennial candidate for statewide office. Healey ran for governor or lieutenant governor a total of seven times.

Early life, education and early career Robert J. Healey was born in Providence, Rhode Island to Robert J. Healey Sr. and Mary (née Martinelli) Healey on May 3, 1957. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in English and Secondary Education from Rhode Island College, a master's degree in Reading Education from Boston University (1980), a degree in law from the New England School of Law (1983), and a master's degree in English literature from Northeastern University (1985).

Cool Moose Party

The Cool Moose Party (CMP) was founded by Healey in 1994 during his second gubernatorial campaign. Healey won 9% of the vote in 1994. In 1996, twenty CMP candidates ran for office; all were defeated.

In 1998, the Cool Moose Party successfully sued the state of Rhode Island to change its restrictive laws regarding primary elections. Cool Moose Party v. State of Rhode Island has been referenced in other states' court decisions relating to third-party candidates.

Healey ran for lieutenant governor in 2002, 2006, and 2010. In the 2010 lieutenant gubernatorial election, he ran on a platform of abolishing the office, as it has no constitutionally-mandated duties outside of waiting for the governor to become incapacitated.

2014 gubernatorial campaign In September 2014, Healey announced he was running for governor as a Moderate Party candidate for that year's election. His announcement came after the original Moderate nominee, James Spooner, withdrew from the race for health reasons. Shortly after he filed his candidacy, the Rhode Island GOP challenged the legality of the move on procedural grounds. The state board of elections found that Healey was in fact eligible to replace Spooner on the ballot. Healey spent a total of only $35.31 on his entire gubernatorial campaign, which he said went to purchase a prepaid mobile phone and a phone card, items he purchased himself. Healey's only advertisement during the campaign was a minimalist billboard featuring a caricature of his face, which he painted himself on the side of his friend's house overlooking Interstate 95 in Providence.

Healey came in third, with 21.4% of the election votes. He placed second in his native Bristol County, won two of that county's three municipalities, and came in second in several other municipalities statewide.

Other activities Healey invested in several business ventures. A liquor wholesaling company that he founded with a partner was very successful and Healey sold out his stake and invested in land in South America. He also exported California wines to Uruguay, imported tableware from Uruguay, started an ice cream business, a wine and cheese outlet, and a yachting service. He is believed to have died from a heart attack in his sleep.

Upon Healey's death, Rhode Island governor—and his 2014 gubernatorial opponent—Gina Raimondo issued a statement to the Providence Journal that she would "miss his passion and willingness to engage in spirited debate."

Electoral history + Robert J. Healey electoral results, 19862014

Party Votes % Democratic Votes % Republican Votes % Third Party Party Votes % Third Party Party Votes %

|Cool Moose |5,694 |1.8% |Bruce G. Sundlun |104,504 |32.4% |Edward D. DiPrete (inc.) |208,822 |64.7% |Anthony D. Affigne |Citizens |3,481 |1.1%

|Cool Moose |32,822 |9.1% |Myrth York |157,361 |43.5% |Lincoln Almond |171,194 |47.4%

|Cool Moose |19,250 |6.3% |Myrth York |129,105 |42.1% |Lincoln Almond (inc.) |156,180 |51.0% |Joseph F. Devine |Reform |1,848 |0.6%

|Cool Moose |61,244 |18.8% |Charles J. Fogarty (inc.) |175,218 |53.8% |John Pagliarini Jr. |80,813 |24.8% |Gregg R. Stevens |Green |8,705 |2.7%

|Cool Moose |51,220 |13.4% |Elizabeth H. Roberts |202,659 |53.1% |Reginald Centracchio |128,011 |33.5%

|Cool Moose |126,063 |39.1% |Elizabeth H. Roberts (inc.) |175,640 |54.5% |Independent |Robert Venturini |20,296 |6.3%

|Moderate |69,070 |21.4% |Gina Raimondo |131,452 |40.7% |Allan Fung |117,106 |36.2% |Independent |Kate Fletcher |3,474 |1.1% |Independent |Leon Kayarian |1,221 |0.4%