Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent publishes column by Richard Grayson, "No Labels Party candidate says no to name change"

Today, Friday, December 12, 2025, the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent published a column by Richard Grayson, "No Labels Party candidate says no to name change":

OPINION — As the No Labels Party candidate in the September special election in the 7th Congressional District, I object to the party’s name change, which was rammed through without procedural due process for the associational rights of the party’s over 40,000 members without any notice or public hearing.

As its website makes clear, Paul Johnson’s Arizona Independent Party has different views and is a different party from the No Labels Party that existed before he allegedly took control in some deal between himself and the national No Labels organization.

My objections are different from those who decry the confusion the Arizona Independent Party causes with true independent voters, but the prospects for confusion are rife.

Richard Winger’s letter is correct insofar as there was once an American Independent Party, but the situation in 1968 was very different.

The AIP was a creature of George Wallace’s pro-segregation, far-right candidacy for president. The only Arizona AIP candidates who ever got on the ballot were a 1970 congressional candidate, the party’s Wallaceite leader Clifford Thomallo, who accused every U.S. president since 1933 of being under the influence of Communists, and 1972 candidate for state representative, Lawrence Oliver, another far-right party member. So the AIP was clearly an ideological party.

Another difference between now and then: In 1976, only 7% of voters in Arizona were true independents, a far cry from today's 34%, so the possibility of confusion is now much greater — especially when the Arizona Independent Party says it is specifically targeting voters not registered with any party (true independents) and planning to be a home for “independent” candidates.

The state must keep the No Labels Party as the No Labels Party. Paul Johnson can get signatures to make his party a new party in the 2026 elections.

 

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early August, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early August, 2001 | Richard Grayson

Arizona Daily Star/Tucson.com publishes letter by Richard Grayson, "When the state chooses your party"

Today, Tuesday, December 9, 2025, the Arizona Daily Star/Tucson.com published a letter, ""When the state chooses your party," by Richard Grayson:

In Communist East Germany, the government simply assigned people to political parties. It was a quiet but powerful way to control political life: the state decided who you were.

Arizona shouldn’t be doing anything that even faintly resembles that history. Yet Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has said he will automatically reassign nearly 47,000 No Labels voters to the Arizona Independent Party becauses of the wishes of a new party chairman, without any formal input from those who chose to register with the No Labels Party. Fontes's office says people who don't like it can “just change it back.” But political identity is a fundamental right, not a clerical detail. Forcing voters into a party whose beliefs they may not share undermines voluntary political association.

No democracy should ever let the government choose a citizen’s party for them.

Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late July, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late July, 2001 | Richard Grayson

Arizona Daily Star/Tucson.com article on Clean Elections Commission's lawsuit against the No Labels Party's name change mentions Richard Grayson

Today, Friday, November 28, 2025, The Arizona Daily Star/Tucson.com published an article by Howard Fischer, "Arizona commission will sue to block political party's name change." 

The article began: 

Ignoring threats of being sued themselves, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission voted Friday to go to court to block the No Labels Party from rebranding itself as the Arizona Independent Party. The panel voted 4-1 to challenge the decision last month by Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to permit the name change.

Towards the end of the article, Richard Grayson's name came up:

There are about 47,000 people who signed up with the No Labels Party. Fontes' move appears to now automatically change their registration to the Arizona Independent Party.

That drew a complaint from Richard Grayson, a member of the No Labels Party who ran unsuccessfully as its nominee earlier this year in the special election in Congressional District 7.

He argued that the Arizona Independent Party is not simply a home for those who don't align with the major parties. Instead, he said, it has a belief system of its own.

He cited the party's web page, which lists among its beliefs that the U.S. military is "strongest in the world,'' that the party supports "strong borders and a workable immigration system,'' and an "all-of-the-above energy strategy'' including oil, gas, nuclear and renewables.

"So it's not an independent party,'' Grayson said. "They have an ideology."

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Mid-July, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Mid-July, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early July, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early July, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late June, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late June, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Mid-June, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Mid-June, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early June, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early June, 2001 | Richard Grayson

1980 Press Photo of Candidate Richard Grayson at his home at University Villages on eBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/397116706957

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late May, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late May, 2001 | Richard Grayson

Anchorage Daily News article features news of Richard Grayson's campaign for U.S. Senator from Alaska

Today, October 16, 2025, the Anchorage Daily News published an article by Iris Samuels, "Begich and Sullivan maintain fundraising efforts ahead of 2026 elections," that mentions Richard Grayson's Green Party candidacy for the U.S. Senate from Alaska in its final paragraph:

The Alaska Democratic Party has indicated that though no Democratic contenders have filed to run as of Thursday, it plans to field candidates in both congressional races.

“We’re working on candidate recruitment,” Alaska Dems Executive Director Jenny-Marie Stryker said in an interview Wednesday. “There’s lots of planning that’s happening on our side, and we’re going to be ready for those races.”

Though no candidate with Democratic Party backing has entered the race, several people have filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission indicating plans to place their names on Alaska’s ballot.

Among them is Richard Grayson, an Arizona resident who filed to run for Alaska’s U.S. Senate seat as a member of the Green Party. He is attempting to form a fundraising committee titled “Sophisticated Cosmopolitan Anti-Fascist Brooklynite Richard Grayson for Alaska Senator.”

Richard Grayson Is 2026 Green Party Candidate for U.S. Senator from Alaska

The Alaska Division of Elections lists Richard Grayson as the Green Party candidate on the ballot for the U.S. Senate in the August 18, 2026 state primary election.

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Mid-May, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Mid-May, 2001 | Richard Grayson

Arizona Secretary of State Releases Official Canvass for September 23 Special Election for Congressional District 7

Today, Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes released the official canvass for the September 23, 2025 special election for Congressional District 7. Although Adelita Grijalva, the Democratic candidate, won with nearly 70% of the vote, overwhelming opponents Daniel Butierez (Republican), Eduardo Quintana (Green), and Richard Grayson (No Labels), but Republican U.S. House Speaker refuses to swear her into office, knowing that she will be the deciding vote in favor of releasing the Epstein files, which may contain embarrasing details about President Donald J. Trump.

SW Valley Times publishes article mentioning Richard Grayson as U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar's 2022 opponent

Today, October 14, 2025, the SW Valley Times published an article by R.L. Greenwood, "Paul Gosar criticizes Democrats over government shutdown and military pay in October 2025 posts," that mentions Richard Grayson as Rep. Paul Gosar's 2022 opponent:

On October 14, 2025, Gosar expanded his criticism of Democrats. He stated, “It’s shameful that Democrats are willing to allow our troops, military families and federal law enforcement to go without pay so that they can appease their far-left Marxist base and Soros-backed activist groups.”

Gosar’s remarks come amid heightened political tensions surrounding government funding negotiations. In previous election cycles, Gosar has demonstrated strong electoral performance; he won his 2022 general election against Richard Grayson with 97.8% of the vote.

The accusations from Gosar reflect ongoing partisan disputes over government shutdowns and funding priorities, particularly regarding defense spending and immigration policy.

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early May, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early May, 2001 | Richard Grayson 

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late April, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late April, 2001 | Richard Grayson

Arizona Daily Star/Tucson.com publishes letter by Richard Grayson, "Opponent says: Let Grijalva do her job"

Today, Saturday, September 27, 2025, the Arizona Daily Star/Tucson.com published a letter, "Opponent says: Let Grijalva do her job," by Richard Grayson:

I was the No Labels Party candidate in the Sept. 23 special election in Congressional District 7. With less than 1% of the vote, I conceded. Adelita Grijalva won an overwhelming victory to become the next U.S. representative.

In the last House special election, in Virginia’s District 11 on Sept. 9, Democrat James Walkinshaw was sworn in by Speaker Mike Johnson the very next day, Sept. 10. Yet days after Grijalva’s uncontested win, Republicans on Capitol Hill are stalling, saying she will not be sworn in for weeks. I am a progressive who opposes sexual harassment of women, believing that I share these values with Green Party candidate Eduardo Quintana and Democratic nominee Adelita Grijalva.

This is unacceptable. The people of Congressional District 7 — stretching from Tucson through Southern Arizona, from Yuma County to Cochise County — have been without a voting member of the U.S. House for more than six months. Adelita Grijalva must be sworn in immediately as our congresswoman.

Richard Grayson

Richard Grayson Comes In Fourth in the Special Election in Arizona's Seventh Congressional District

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Mid-April, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Mid-April, 2001 | Richard Grayson

Daily Wildcat features "A breakdown of the candidates for the AZ-7 special election," including Richard Grayson of the No Lines [sic] Party

Today, Sunday, September 21, 2025, the University of Arizona newspaper The Daily Wildcat, published  "A breakdown of the candidates for the AZ-7 special election," an article by Jasmine Creighton featuring the candidates in the September 23 special election for the U.S. House of Representatives in Arizona's Seventh Congressional District, including Richard Grayson of the No Lines [sic] Party:

No Lines Party Candidate Richard Grayson is on the ballot through write-in after earning one vote.

Grayson believes in reducing student debt, affordable housing and combating climate change.

“If a congressperson truly wants to help, they must stop offering platitudes and start passing legislation: cancel or dramatically reduce student debt, invest in affordable housing, guarantee healthcare as a right, confront climate change with bold action and rein in predatory tech practices,” Grayson said in an official statement.

According to Polymarket, There is a 1% chance that Richard Grayson will win the September 23 special election in Arizona's 7th Congressional District

According to Polymarket, there is a 1% chance that Richard Grayson will win the September 23 special election in Arizona's 7th Congressional District. There is a 99% chance that Adelita Grijalva win the election. There is less than a 1% chance other candidates will win.

Tucson Sentinel article, "Early voting locations for S. Az congressional election opening Friday"

Today, Thursday, September 23, 2025, the Tucson Sentinel published an article, "Early voting locations for S. Az congressional election opening Friday" by Jim Nintzel.

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early April, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early April, 2001 | Richard Grayson

Mohave Today article on Gosar D.C. proposal mentions Richard Grayson as Gosar's 2022 AZ-09 election opponent

Today, September 11, 2025, Mohave Today published an article on Rep. Paul Gosar's proposal against the District of Columbia that mentions Richard Grayson as Gosar's 2022 (write-in) opponent in the 2022 election in Arizona's Ninth Congressional District, noting that

Paul Gosar was reelected in both 2022 and 2024 general elections with significant majorities against his opponents Richard Grayson (97.8% vs 1.8%) and Quacy Smith (65.3% vs 34.7%).

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late March, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late March, 2001 | Richard Grayson

Tucson Sentinel publishes article by Richard Grayson, "The best move for America – and Arizona: Beg Britain to take us back"

Today, Friday, September 5, 2025, the Tucson Sentinel published an  article by Richard Grayson, "The best move for America – and Arizona: Beg Britain to take us back."

Recent Articles on the AZ-07 Special Election Mentioning Richard Grayson's No Labels Party Candidacy

Jim Nintzel, "Early voting starts in Southern Az's CD 7 special election," Tucson Sentinel, August 27, 2025

Wayne Schutzky, "Arizona's 7th Congressional District candidates debate immigration, Gaza ahead of special election," KJZZ, August 27, 2025

John Washington, "Arizona District 7 voter guide: Grijalva and Butierez on water and homelessness ahead of special election, Arizona Luminaria, September 2, 2025

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Mid-March, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Mid-March, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early March, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early March, 2001 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late February, 2001 | Richard Grayson

 A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late February, 2001 | Richard Grayson

Arizona Daily Star column, "Political Notebook: Rule keeps two on CD7 ballot from debate," mentions No Labels Party Candidate Richard Grayson

Today, Friday, August 22, 2025, the Arizona Daily Star published a column by Tim Steller, "Political Notebook: Rule keeps two on CD7 ballot from debate," discusses No Labels Party candidate Richard Grayson and Green Party candidate Eduardo Quintana's exclusion from the debate between the major party candidates in the September 23, 2025 special election in Arizona's Seventh Congressional District.

Two candidates who will appear on the ballot for the special election in Congressional District 7 won’t be part of Tuesday’s televised debate.

Eduardo Quintana, of Tucson, is the Green Party candidate, and Richard Grayson, of Apache Junction, is the No Labels candidate. Neither one of them got 1% of the total votes cast in the July 15 primary election.

Under a rule adopted by the debate hosts, the Arizona Media Association and the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission, that means they are not invited. The two candidates who won their primaries and did reach that threshold were Democrat Adelita Grijalva and Republican Dan Butierez. They’ll debate at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Arizona Public Media. It will be broadcast live on Arizona Public Media and possibly other stations, and the public is not invited to attend live. Quintana said he considers the rule “unfair,” noting that one percent of the primary vote is “more than all of our registered voters.”

Quintana is a Raytheon retiree and environmental activist who ran for U.S. Senate as the Green Party’s candidate in 2024. “The main reason I’m running is because of the Palestinian question,” Quintana said. “Our country is carrying out an illegal genocide with Israel.” “I want to use this campaign to bring that issue to the fore, as well as other issues that are important to us,” he said.

The Green Party’s slogan, he noted, is “People, planet, peace.” Beyond wanting the United States to cut off aid to Israel, Quintana said, he supports healthcare-for-all and a Green New Deal.

Grayson’s candidacy is a little — let’s say a lot — less earnest. He’s a perennial candidate who has the distinction of having run in states across the country. This time, he ran in part to tweak the No Labels party. Last year, the party won a judicial order preventing him and others from running as primary candidates under the No Labels banner. This year, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that ruling, opening the door for Grayson and others to pursue the party’s nomination.

He barely won it: One voter in Cochise County wrote him in, the only valid vote for a No Labels candidate in the primary. Grayson’s sincere political beliefs more or less align with the Democratic Party, he said, and he expects Grijalva to win the race and replace her father, Raul Grijalva, who died March 13. “It’s fun to be on the ballot. This is a hobby. I’m an old man,” Grayson said. “If anyone wants to vote for me, I assume it will be a mistake or they hate the other candidates on the ballot, or they’re mentally ill.”