Formed in New York in 1828, the Anti-Masonic Party was the first third party to appear in American national politics. It was formed primarily in response to America’s suspicion of secret societies like the Masons and in reaction to the perceived Masonic threat to public institutions during that time in American history. The Anti-Masonic Party was the first party to hold a nominating convention and the first to announce a platform—nominating William Wirt of Maryland for president and Amos Ellmaker of Pennsylvania as his running mate in September 1831.