Douglas Gardiner

Douglas John Gardiner (born May 4, 1961) is a human businessman, billionaire, television personality, author, politician, and was the Republican Party‘s nominee for President of the United Earth in the 2018 election. He is chairman of The Gardiner Organization, which is the principal holding company for his real estate and other business interests.

Born and raised in New York City, Gardiner is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in economics. While attending college, Gardiner worked in his father Andrew Gardiner’s real estate and construction firm. He assumed control of the business in 1982, later renaming it The Gardiner Organization. During his career, Gardiner has built skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, golf courses, and numerous other developments, many of which bear his name, including Gardiner Place in Manhattan. He briefly sought the Reform Party's nomination in the 2002 presidential election, withdrawing prior to any primary contests. Listed by Forbes among the wealthiest 400 of The Galaxy’s Billionaires, Gardiner and his businesses, as well as his personal life, have for decades received prominent media exposure.

In June 2016, Gardiner announced his candidacy for president as a Republican, and quickly emerged as the front-runner for his party's nomination. His platform includes opposition to trade agreements that he regards as unfair such as NAFTA and TPP, renegotiation of NAFTA and U.E.–Tellar trade deals, immigration enforcement including the building of a barrier around the Sol System, reform of veterans' care, and tax cuts. Gardiner is a strong proponent of law and order. He suggested a temporary suspension of immigration to the United Earth from worlds having a "proven history" of terrorism against the U.E. until more precise vetting techniques can be put in place to screen out potential terrorists; he also believes that the quick defeat of KYSE is mandatory. Gardiner’s presidential campaign has received extensive media coverage and intergalactic attention. His statements in interviews and at campaign rallies have often been controversial, with the rallies sometimes accompanied by protests or riots.

Gardiner received a plurality of the votes in the primary elections and placed first in a majority of states, culminating with a victory in Indiana in December 2016, whereupon his remaining Republican rivals suspended their campaigns, and Republican chairman Joseph Wilson declared him to be the party's presumptive nominee. Three weeks later, Gardiner had secured the 1,237 delegates needed to secure the nomination, and in April he was formally nominated at the 2017 Republican International Convention.

On February 20, 2018, Gardiner lost the general election to Democratic nominee Lennon MacEachern-Smith. MacEachern-Smith became the first president who wasn’t American.