RIP Rhode Island's Cool Moose

Robert J. Healey
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Robert Healey
Robert J. Healey.jpg
Personal details
Born May 3, 1957 (age 58)
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Died March 20, 2016
Rhode Island
Political party Cool Moose Party (1994–2014)
Moderate (2014–present)
Alma mater Rhode Island College
Boston University
Northeastern University
New England School of Law
Columbia University
Website Campaign website

Robert J. "Bob" Healey, Jr. (born May 3, 1957)[1] is an American attorney, businessman, educator, restaurateur, 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 has been a perennial candidate for statewide office.[2][3][4][5] Healey has run for Governor or Lieutenant Governor a total of seven times.[6] Running as an independent candidate in 2010, he won 39% of the vote for Lieutenant Governor, running on a platform of abolishing the office. As the Moderate Party nominee for Governor in 2014, Healey won 22% of the vote while spending less than $40 on the campaign.[7]

Early life, education and early career

Robert J. Healey was born in Providence, Rhode Island to Robert J. Healey Sr. and Mary Healey. His father was a plumber and his mother a factory worker. He grew up in Warren, Rhode Island, and graduated from Warren High School in 1975.[1] 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).[1] In 1983 he began a PhD program at Columbia University, but after he had completed all the requirements, his dissertation supervisor died and he could not find a replacement.[1]

He was elected to the Warren School Committee in 1982, serving as Chairman until 1986.[1] He ran for Governor as an independent in 1986. After his first run for Governor, Healey was Secretary of the Bristol County Bar association.[6]
Cool Moose Party

The Cool Moose Party (CMP) was founded by Healey in 1994 during his second gubernatorial campaign.[6] The party's platform is "to break down the ideological barriers that have kept common sense out of our government".[8] 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.[9] Cool Moose Party v. State of Rhode Island has been referenced in other states' court decisions relating to third-party candidates.[10][11]

Healey ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2002, 2006, and 2010. In 2010 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.[12] Running against incumbent Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts in that election, Healey won 39% of the vote.[13]
2014 gubernatorial campaign

In September 2014, Healey announced he was running for Governor as a Moderate Party candidate. His announcement came after the original Moderate nominee, James Spooner, withdrew from the race for health reasons.[7] Healey has stated he will not accept any funding, instead opting for a "guerilla campaign" for a "cerebral revolution".[14] 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.[12] Healey came in 3rd with 21.4% of the election votes.[15]
Other activities

Healey has 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 has also exported California wines to Uruguay, imported tableware from Uruguay, started an ice cream business, a wine and cheese outlet, and a yachting service.[1] He has written a children's book, The King Needs Sleep.[1]

Healey has served as Secretary of the Bristol County Bar Association since the mid-1980s.[1]