H. Ross PerotTwo-time independent Presidential candidate dies at 89
Perot founded Electronic Data Systems in 1962, which finally broke through a few years later when Lyndon Johnson's Great Society needed to computerize its records for the new senior universal health care system, Medicare. By 1968, Perot's wealth had skyrocketed and he would eventually die a multibillionaire.
In 1992, upset over the Persian Gulf War, Perot launched his independent campaign for President. Running on a combination of populism and debt control, Perot's 1992 campaign drew a higher share of the vote than any third-party candidate—19%— since the Bull Moose Party in 1912 (though he won no states or electoral votes, only winning a few scattered counties, and thus George Wallace's 1968 campaign and Strom Thurmond's 1948 campaign were more successful in that respect). The spoiler effect arguably allowed Democrat Bill Clinton to win the Presidency despite only receiving 43% of the vote, again the lowest proportion of the vote since 1912.
Perot ran for President again in 1996, but was less successful, garnering only about 9% of the vote. His political structure eventually evolved into the Reform Party, which continued to exist as a substantial political force for a few election cycles afterward but has declined in influence since then.
Perot died of leukemia July 9.
Obituary from PoliticoWikipedia
