Robert J. Healey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert J. Healey
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| Personal details | |
| Born | May 3, 1957 Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Died | March 20, 2016 (aged 58) Barrington, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent (before 1994) Cool Moose Party (1994–2014) Moderate (2014–2016) |
| Education | Rhode Island College (BA) Boston University (MA) New England School of Law (JD) Northeastern University (MA) Columbia University |
| Profession | Educator Restaurateur |
Robert J. Healey Jr. (May 3, 1957 – March 20, 2016) was an American lawyer, businessman, and political activist. He was known for starting the Cool Moose Party in Rhode Island. This party was the state's third-largest political group for several years. Robert Healey was also known for running for state offices many times. He ran for governor or lieutenant governor seven times in total. In 2010, running as an independent, he received 39% of the votes for lieutenant governor. His main idea was to get rid of that office completely. Later, in 2014, he ran for governor as a Moderate Party candidate. He won 22% of the votes, even though he spent less than $40 on his campaign.
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Robert J. Healey: A Unique Politician
Robert J. Healey Jr. was a politician who always tried new ways to get his message out. He believed in common sense in government. His unique approach and low-budget campaigns made him stand out. He showed that you don't need a lot of money to run for office.
Growing Up and Learning
Robert J. Healey was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 3, 1957. His father was a plumber, and his mother worked in a factory. He grew up in Warren, Rhode Island, and finished high school in 1975.
He loved learning and earned many degrees. He studied English and education at Rhode Island College. He also got master's degrees from Boston University and Northeastern University. In 1983, he earned a law degree from the New England School of Law. He even started a PhD program at Columbia University.
In 1982, Robert Healey was elected to the Warren School Committee. He was the chairman until 1986. His election slogan was "A Strange Man for a Strange Job." He first ran for governor in 1986 as an independent candidate.
Starting the Cool Moose Party
Robert Healey started the Cool Moose Party (CMP) in 1994. This was during his second time running for governor. The party's main goal was to bring "common sense" into government. They wanted to break down old ideas that stopped progress. In 1994, Healey won 9% of the votes as a Cool Moose candidate. Two years later, in 1996, twenty people from the Cool Moose Party ran for different offices.
Fighting for Change in Court
In 1998, the Cool Moose Party took the state of Rhode Island to court. They wanted to change the state's strict rules for primary elections. They won their case, Cool Moose Party v. State of Rhode Island. This court decision has been used in other states to help smaller political parties.
Running for Lieutenant Governor
Healey ran for lieutenant governor in 2002, 2006, and 2010. In 2010, his main idea was to get rid of the lieutenant governor's office. He argued that the job had no real duties unless the governor couldn't do their job. He ran against the person already in office, Elizabeth Roberts. Robert Healey won 39% of the votes in that election. This happened after another candidate, Heidi Rogers, dropped out to help Healey's cause.
Running for Governor in 2014
In September 2014, Robert Healey announced he would run for governor again. This time, he was a candidate for the Moderate Party. He stepped in after the original Moderate Party candidate had to leave the race. Healey said he would not take any money for his campaign. He called it a "guerrilla campaign" for a "cerebral revolution." This meant he would campaign in unusual ways and focus on ideas.
A Campaign on a Budget
Soon after he announced his run, some people tried to stop him. They questioned if he was allowed to replace the previous candidate. But the state election board decided he was eligible. Robert Healey spent only $35.31 on his entire campaign. He said he used the money to buy a prepaid cell phone and a phone card. His only advertisement was a simple billboard. He painted it himself on a friend's house. The billboard showed a drawing of his face and overlooked a busy highway.
In the election, Robert Healey came in third place. He received 21.4% of the votes.
Beyond Politics: Other Ventures
Robert Healey was also involved in many different businesses. He started a company that sold liquor, which was very successful. He later sold his share and invested in land in South America. He also exported California wines to Uruguay. He imported tableware from Uruguay and started an ice cream business. He even had a wine and cheese shop and a yachting service. Besides all this, he wrote a children's book called The King Needs Sleep.
Healey also served as the secretary for the Bristol County Bar Association for many years.
His Passing
Robert Healey was found dead at his home in Barrington, Rhode Island, on March 20, 2016. He was 58 years old. It is believed he died from a heart attack while he was sleeping. He was buried on March 29 next to his parents.
After his death, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo spoke about him. She said she would "miss his passion and willingness to engage in spirited debate." Gina Raimondo had been his opponent in the 2014 governor's race.
