Faction Hopes To Wrest More Power From Perot

A group of Reform Party members is trying to wrest control of the infant party - and any federal campaign dollars it may qualify for - from founder Ross Perot.

The group, made up primarily of supporters of onetime Perot rival Richard Lamm, filed a request with the Federal Election Commission this week seeking recognition as the party’s national governing body.

The designation could help determine who controls the party’s money, including federal dollars that the party expects to qualify for in the next presidential election.

Perot personally qualified for $29.2 million in federal matching dollars this election because of his 19 percent showing in 1992 as an independent candidate.

Because he got 8.5 percent of the vote Tuesday as the Reform Party candidate, the party itself will qualify for some federal financing in 2000.

Perot spokeswoman Sharon Holman said the party never belonged to Perot.

Perot campaign coordinator Russ Verney said volunteers would determine the future of the party.