October 25, 1999
Web posted at: 3:36 p.m. EDT (1936 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Real estate developer Donald Trump officially changed his party affiliation on Monday to the Independence Party, New York's version of the Reform Party.

Trump had his voter registration form hand-delivered to the New York County Board of Elections on Monday, officially putting him in the New York branch of the Reform Party, according to his political adviser Roger Stone.

Stone told CNN that Trump will soon begin travelling to Miami, Los Angeles and other cities to meet with Reform Party leaders to assess the prospects of winning the party's presidential nomination.

Trump has not yet formally declared he would seek the Reform Party nomination, but he announced Sunday he was quitting the Republican Party, a key step in a possible bid for the Reform Party nomination for the 2000 presidential race.

Trump told NBC's "Meet the Press" that he would use his experience as a casino and real estate developer to successfully run the United States.

"I understand this stuff," Trump said. "I understand good times and I understand bad times. I mean, why is a politician going to do a better job than I am?"

Trump, who has said talk show host Oprah Winfrey would be an ideal running mate, said he will make a decision by March after gauging support.

Another presidential hopeful, Pat Buchanan, held a news conference Monday to announce he has left the Republican Party to join the Reform Party and seek its presidential nomination.

Monday, October 25, 1999

• Buchanan announces switch to Reform Party
• Poll: Gore appears to have slightly increased support against Bradley, Bush
• Rhode Island's Sen. Chafee dies at 77
• Poll: GOP divided over Buchanan's departure
• Buchanan, Trump could battle for Reform nomination
• Trump officially joins Reform Party
• Buchanan cites reasons for seeking Reform Party nomination
• Missouri governor apologizes for 1960 blackface skit
• Study: Reporting on female candidates more personality-driven
• Clinton speech draws battle lines over Medicare drug benefit
• Overhaul of banking laws still faces challenge on privacy
• Mayor warming up to minimum-wage increase
• WASHINGTON YESTERDAY: Harry Truman guts the White House
• Clinton to sign defense bill, spokesman says

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