(born 1930) Successful Texas businessperson, political party organizer and author, Perot came into the national spotlight in 1992 when he ran for president as a third-party candidate. Using his own money to launch his campaign, Perot focused on the economy by airing halfhour infomercials during the campaign. Perot captured 19 percent of the 1992 vote, the highest percentage captured by a third-party candidate since Theodore Roosevelt in 1912.

Concerned with grassroots political involvement, Perot helped establish the Reform Party and became its presidential nominee in 1996, winning 9 percent of the popular vote.