3. Ross Perot (1992)
In the 1992 presidential election, billionaire Ross Perot ran as an independent candidate, securing nearly 19% of the popular vote. His campaign focused on reducing the federal budget deficit and opposing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which he argued would lead to job losses in the U.S. Perot’s emphasis on fiscal responsibility and trade policies influenced the platforms of both major party candidates, highlighting the significance of these issues in the election (history.com).
