Peace and Freedom Party (PFP)

The PFP is a former member of the now-defunct Independent Progressive Politics Network (IPPN), a coalition of radical-left groups that included the Socialist Party USA and several Green Party affiliates. ^{4  5}

Policy Platform

The Peace and Freedom Party advocates for radical socialist policies, including: doubling the minimum wage, a 30-hour work week, universal basic income, universal healthcare, free access to abortion and birth control, the decriminalization of drugs, the restoration of affirmative action, and the abolition of the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and USAID, among others. ⁶

PFP also advocates for multi-member legislative districts, the expansion of rent control, and permitting natal males who claim to be women to play on female sports teams. ^{7  8  9} The party also supported a California amendment to make abortion a protected right in the state constitution. ¹⁰

PFP and its members have also participated in the “No Kings” protests in opposition to the Trump administration and its policies, including the administration’s enforcement of immigration law. ^{11  12}

Political Candidate Nominations

The Peace and Freedom Party has nominated several California state and federal candidates for prominent political offices. In 2014, the PFP nominated Cindy Sheehan for governor of California; she received 1.2 percent of the vote. In 2018, the PFP nominated Gloria LaRiva for Governor of California; she received 0.3 percent of the vote. In 2022, the PFP nominated Luis Javier Rodriguez for Governor of California; he received 1.8 percent of the vote. ¹³

In 2008, the PFP nominated Ralph Nader for President of the United States; he received 0.8 percent of the vote. In 2012, the PFP nominated comedian Roseanne Barr for President of the United States; she received 0.4 percent of the vote. ¹⁴

Leadership

Kevin Akin is the state chair of the Peace and Freedom Party. ¹⁵ He formerly worked as a carpenter, steelworker, and steam engineer. Akin ran for California Treasurer but lost in the all-party primary in June 2018. His central campaign promise was to establish a state bank in California to “empower working people, and disempower billionaires.” ¹⁶ Akin also ran for U.S. Congress unsuccessfully in 1984. He has run for U.S. Congress two other times and also ran for California Treasurer in 1982. ¹⁷

John Reiger is the secretary of the PFP. ¹⁵ He also serves as the PFP Sacramento chapter secretary and as the chair of the PFP Legislative Committee. In the past, he has been the state chair of the party and has run for office many times, including for the U.S. Congress, the California State Assembly, and the State Senate. ¹⁸ In 2022, Reiger ran for the California Board of Equalization in District 1 on the promise to increase taxes on the wealthy and on large businesses. ¹⁹

Alice Stek is the treasurer of the PFP. ¹⁵ She is a physician in Los Angeles County and has served as a member of the Los Angeles County Central Committee and the State Central Committee. Stek ran for the U.S. Congress unsuccessfully in 2004, earning 2.5 percent of the vote. In 2025, Stek announced her plan to run for Lieutenant Governor of California. ^{20  21}

Finances

According to the California Secretary of State’s campaign finance database, the Peace and Freedom Party reported $9,516 in total contributions and $9,575 in total expenditures from the 2025 campaign fundraising year. ²² The PFP receives funding through party membership dues and donations. ²³