Dallas billionaire H. Ross Perot made a spirited bid for the White House in 1992, capturing 19 percent of the vote. Promising to balance the budget, combat offshoring of jobs, and fight gun control, Perot's message resonated with many voters and he even topped mainstream candidates Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush in the polls at one point. His candidacy ultimately pulled away conservative voters from the incumbent Bush, helping pave Clinton's road to Washington.

In 1996, Perot founded the Reform Party and mounted another run at the presidency. This time he was less successful, but still managed to pull in 8 percent of the vote, a high total for a third-party run.