Jill Stein gets support from Republicans while Democrats work to keep her off ballots in key states.
Jill Stein, the current Green Party candidate for president, is not a stranger to the race for the White House. This marks her third run, with many viewing her as a longshot candidate who could potentially play the role of a spoiler by diverting votes from the Democratic nominee. However, Stein remains steadfast in her belief that she has a legitimate path to victory without relying on what she calls “war machine” dollars.
Despite her claims of independence, Stein’s campaign has accepted support from unexpected quarters, including Republican allies. This support is crucial as she navigates the complex process of securing ballot access in various states, particularly battleground states like Nevada and Wisconsin, where recent polling indicates a tight race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
In Nevada, the Green Party faced a setback when it was removed from the ballot due to inaccuracies in petition forms. Seeking reinstatement, the party enlisted the legal expertise of Jay Sekulow, a prominent attorney who previously represented Trump during his impeachment trials. Stein took to social media to express her frustration, alleging that the campaign was wrongfully removed from the ballot due to a technicality.
The legal battles continued in Wisconsin, where the state Supreme Court upheld Stein’s placement on the ballot despite challenges from the Democratic National Committee. In a controversial move, Stein accepted legal representation from Michael D. Dean, a Wisconsin lawyer involved in efforts to challenge the 2020 election results on behalf of Trump. While critics question Stein’s alliances with Trump-affiliated lawyers, her campaign maintains that they are simply responding to legal challenges that threaten their participation in the election process.
Stein’s campaign has been marred by a series of legal challenges from Democratic allies, who argue that her collaboration with Republican-leaning lawyers compromises her integrity as a candidate. In response, Stein’s campaign manager, Jason Call, defended their decision, citing the Democrats’ aggressive tactics as the driving force behind their choice to seek support from any available legal resources.
As the election draws near, the battle for ballot access intensifies. Stein’s campaign recently learned of another lawsuit in New Hampshire, prompting them to prepare for potential legal battles with the assistance of partisan lawyers if necessary. While there are no explicit laws barring third-party candidates from accepting support from major party affiliates, the Democrats remain critical of Stein’s efforts to secure ballot access through unconventional means.
Democratic allies argue that voters deserve transparency and full disclosure about third-party candidates, including their financial backers and potential impact on the election outcome. Joel Payne, chief communications officer for MoveOn, a left-leaning political action committee, emphasized the importance of holding all candidates accountable within the bounds of the law to ensure fair and democratic elections.
The involvement of third-party candidates in the election process has sparked debates about the influence of major party supporters on their campaigns. Recent reports reveal that Cornel West, another third-party candidate, has garnered support from GOP operatives, while Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who withdrew his bid and endorsed Trump, is working to remove himself from ballots in certain states to avoid dividing votes from the former president.
Stein and West have faced numerous legal challenges from Democratic Party allies aimed at impeding their ballot access in various states. The Democratic National Committee has been vocal in its opposition to third-party candidates like Stein, accusing them of potentially serving as spoilers and benefiting Trump’s re-election bid. The ongoing struggle between Republican and Democratic allies to influence the election outcome through third-party candidates underscores the high stakes of the upcoming election.
Political experts note that the tactics employed by both parties to impact the ballot outcome are not new. John Geer, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University, acknowledges the strategic calculus behind such maneuvers, particularly in swing states where every vote counts. Trump’s alignment with Kennedy and his positive remarks about Stein and West reflect the complex dynamics at play in the current political landscape.
As the election season unfolds, the battle for ballot access and voter influence continues to shape the political landscape. Stein’s unconventional alliances and legal challenges underscore the contentious nature of third-party candidacies in a highly contested election. With a divided electorate and mounting pressure from both major parties, third-party candidates like Stein face an uphill battle in their quest for a place on the national stage.
