Final answer:
Ross Perot ran as a third-party candidate in the 1992 presidential election, securing nearly 20 percent of the popular vote but no electoral votes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ross Perot was a wealthy and successful businessman who launched a third-party campaign for the presidency in 1992. Despite being a third-party candidate, he achieved significant success in terms of the popular vote, matching the strongest showing by any third-party candidate since Theodore Roosevelt in 1912. Perot's success came without the benefit of any electoral votes but was marked by nearly 20 percent of the popular vote. His chances of winning were challenged by his antiestablishment stance and probusiness orientation, which some historians believe pulled more votes from then-President George H.W. Bush's Republican base than from Democratic challenger Bill Clinton.
Perot's campaign appealed to Americans frustrated by the failures of the major parties, garnering support across the liberal-conservative spectrum. He and his running mate, James Stockdale, ran on the promise of managing the country with the same efficiency as Perot's business enterprises. Although Perot did not win any seats in the Electoral College, his presence in the election was significant enough to potentially influence the outcome, especially considering that Bill Clinton won the presidency with only 43 percent of the popular vote due to the splitting of the vote.
Perot's participation in the election cycle also highlighted issues such as the impact of globalization on American jobs, most notably during debates about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). In light of these events, the 1992 presidential election is a significant case study in American political history, demonstrating the potential impact of third-party candidacies on the dynamics of presidential races.