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Peace and Freedom Party (PFP)

Website:

peaceandfreedom.us/
Type:

Left-of-Center Political Party
Formation:

1967
Location:

Oakland, CA
Chair:

Kevin Akin

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The Peace and Freedom Party (PFP) is a far-left-of-center political party based in Oakland, California. Founded in 1967, the PFP has dubbed itself “California’s Feminist Socialist Political Party” and claims to support “democracy, ecology, feminism and racial equality.” 1 In its early years, the PFP supported the Black Panther Party’s efforts to free Huey Newton from prison and the 1968 presidential campaign of Eldridge Cleaver. 2  3

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

References

  1. “About the Peace and Freedom Party.” Peace and Freedom Party. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://peaceandfreedom.us/index.php/about-us/about-peace-and-freedom
  2. “Free Huey Movement.” PBS. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.pbs.org/hueypnewton/actions/actions_freehuey.html
  3. “Five original Black Panther / Peace and Freedom Party oversize bumper stickers.” Royal Books. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.royalbooks.com/pages/books/143730/black-panthers-peace-freedom-party-subjects/five-original-black-panther-peace-and-freedom-party-oversize-bumper-stickers
  4. “IPPN Mission Statement.” IPPN. Accessed via Web Archive March 9, 2026. https://web.archive.org/web/20080109232349/http:/www.ippn.org/article.php?ID=mission.html
  5. “Independent Politics – Vol. 2. No. 3. Fall/Winter 2007.” IPPN. 2007. Accessed via Web Archive March 9, 2026. https://web.archive.org/web/20110726052738/http://www.ippn.org/system/files/IPPN_NewsWinter07.pdf.
  6. “Platform of the Peace and Freedom Party (summary).” Peace and Freedom Party. March 6, 2021. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://peaceandfreedom.us/index.php/about-us/platform/summary-platform
  7. “What to Do About Proposition 50?” Peace and Freedom Party. October 1, 2025. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://peaceandfreedom.us/index.php/news/what-to-do-about-proposition-50
  8. “Ballot props: PFP says YES on Prop 33, NO on Prop 34.” Peace and Freedom Party. October 5, 2024. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://peaceandfreedom.us/index.php/news/elections-campaigns/ballot-props-pfp-says-yes-on-prop-33-no-on-prop-34
  9. “PFP Positions on Legislation, 2025-2026.” Peace and Freedom Party. April 3, 2025.Accessed March 9, 2026. https://peaceandfreedom.us/index.php/positions
  10. “Reproductive freedom *is* healthcare: Vote YES on Prop 1.” Peace and Freedom Party. September 18, 2022. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://peaceandfreedom.us/news/elections-campaigns/proposition-1-reproductive-freedom-is-healthcare
  11. “PFP at No Kings Rallies in Riverside, Capital, and LA.” Peace and Freedom Party. June 28, 2025. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://peaceandfreedom.us/index.php/news/actions/pfp-at-no-kings-rallies-in-riverside-capital-and-la
  12. Arizon, Gabriel. “Peace and Freedom Party Outreaches to Northeast Valley to Oppose ICE Raids.” San Fernando Valley Sun. July 2, 2025. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://sanfernandosun.com/2025/07/02/peace-and-freedom-party-outreaches-to-northeast-valley-to-oppose-ice-raids/
  13. “Gubernatorial Candidates.” Peace and Freedom Party. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://peaceandfreedom.us/index.php/about-us/our-history/gubernatorial-candidates
  14. “Presidential Candidates.” Peace and Freedom Party. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://peaceandfreedom.us/index.php/about-us/our-history/presidential-candidates
  15. “Peace and Freedom Party California State Central Committee, 2024-2026.” Peace and Freedom Party. March 16, 2021. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://peaceandfreedom.us/index.php/about-us/state-central-committee
  16. “Kevin Akin.” Ballotpedia. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://ballotpedia.org/Kevin_Akin
  17. “The Candidate.” Kevin4California. Accessed March 9, 026. http://www.kevinakin4california.org/the-candidate/
  18. “John Reiger for Congress, 5th District.” Peace and Freedom Party. December 2004. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.peaceandfreedom2004.org/jreiger/
  19. “Primary Election 2022: John C. Reiger for California Board of Equalization, District 1.” Peace and Freedom Party. February 7, 2022. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.peaceandfreedom.us/news/elections-campaigns/primary-election-2022-john-c-reiger-for-california-board-of-equalization-district-1
  20. “Alice Stek for for Congress, 36th District.” Peace and Freedom Party. December 2004. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.peaceandfreedom2004.org/astek/
  21. “Alice Stek Endorsed by PFP for Lieutenant Governor.” Peace and Freedom Party. August 11, 2025. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.peaceandfreedom.us/index.php/news/elections-campaigns/alice-stek-endorsed-by-pfp-for-lieutenant-governor
  22. “PEACE & FREEDOM PARTY STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE.” California Secretary of State, Campaign Finance. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1019020&session=2025
  23. “Dues.” Peace and Freedom Party. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://peaceandfreedom.us/index.php/dues
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