Edward C. Noonan

Edward C. "Ed" Noonan (born Edward Clifford Davis September 25, 1948 in Prescott, Arizona) was the chairman of the American Independent Party. He was replaced as party chairman by Markham Robinson in July 2008. At the same meeting, national affiliation of the party was changed to America's Independent Party, which was the new political party of Alan Keyes. Noonan attended Santa Barbara City College, served four years in the U.S. Army, then attended Sacramento City College, American River College and Sacramento State College. Noonan is married to Patricia Hansen, and they have a son, E. Justin Noonan who ran for California State Treasurer in 2006. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He was the winner of the 2002 AIP Primary for Secretary of State of California, receiving 85,791 votes (1.2%); was the winner of the 2006 AIP Primary for Governor of California in the California gubernatorial election, receiving 61,901 votes (0.7%). [1]. He filed to run for U.S. Congressman from California's 2nd congressional district in 2008, but did not get enough in-lieu signatures. He was the winner of the AIP Primary for US Senate in 2010 against Barbara Boxer. He received 125,435 votes (1.2%).

In January 2012, Noonan filed suit with six other electors in California to prevent the Secretary of State, Debra Bowen, from placing Barack Obama on the California primary ballot. Noonan and the other petitioners claimed that Obama had not proved that he was a U.S. citizen. The case was dismissed by Judge Micheal P. Kenny of the Sacramento Superior Court. The case was appealed in August 2012. Noonan's attorney was Gary Kreep, who is now a superior court judge in San Diego.

Noonan also was on a federal lawsuit against Obama and the U.S. Congress attempting to keep Obama from being approved by Congress as a legitimate candidate for president. Noonan was represented in the federal case by attorney Orly Taitz.

Noonan was sued by members of the AIP in 2008 attempting to remove him as State Party Chairman. Noonan won the case and retained Chairmanship of the AIP.

In 2012, Noonan won the AIP's California primary for President of the United States. However, the current leadership of the AIP (14 members) decided to not back the further candidacy of Noonan and instead went outside the party and nominated Tom Hoefling of the America's Party as the nominee for president.

Noonan left the party in 2012 and became founder and first National Committee Chairman of the American Resistance Party.