On February 18, James Hedges, a long-time activist in the Prohibition Party, declared his candidacy for the party’s presidential nomination in 2012. He is the only person who has won a partisan election as a Prohibition Party nominee in the last 50 years. He was elected Assessor of Thompson Township, Fulton County, Pennsylvania, in 2001, and re-elected in 2005.
The Prohibition Party is ballot-qualified in one state, Florida. Hedges is 71 and lives in Big Cove Tannery, Pennsylvania, in Fulton County. He has been active in local government and in civic groups, and was once a member of the United States Marine Band in Washington, D.C.
Public domain image of Jim Hedges from the  Partisan Prohibition Historical Society website
U.S.  presidential candidate Jim Hedges of , Pennsylvania took some time to answer a few questions about the Prohibition Party and his 2012 presidential campaign. 

The Prohibition Party is the third oldest existing political party in the United States, having been established in 1869. It reached its height of popularity during the late 19th century. The party heavily supported the , which banned the sale of alcohol, and resulted in the US period known as  (1919–33). It was repealed in 1933.  The party has declined since this period, but has continued to nominate candidates for the presidential election.

In 2003, the party split into two factions. Preacher  and perennial candidate  were nominated for the presidency by their respective factions. After Dodge's death in 2007, the party reunified and named Amondson as its sole presidential nominee for 2008. During the election, Amondson was interviewed by ''Wikinews''.  He died in 2009, leaving an opening in the party for 2012.

Jim Hedges is a longtime  activist, who holds the distinction of the first individual of the 21st century (and the first since 1959) to be elected to a political office under the Prohibition Party banner. In 2001, he was elected as the Thompson Township , and was re-elected to the post in 2005.  He served until his term expired in 2010. Hedges declared his intent to run for the Prohibition Party presidential nomination on February 18, 2010.  This marks his first run for the presidency.