The Rise of Third-Party Candidates: A Threat to Democrats and Republicans in 2024

The emergence of independent and third-party candidates, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West, threatens to weaken both major parties in the 2024 presidential election. While these candidates are unlikely to win the presidency, they could siphon support from the Democratic and Republican nominees. Democratic officials are particularly concerned, recalling how Green Party nominee Jill Stein may have contributed to Trump's victory in 2016. However, qualifying for the ballot in every state will be a significant challenge for outsider candidates. Despite polls showing a desire for a third major party, it remains uncertain if dissatisfied voters will actually vote for these candidates. Trump allies have already begun circulating opposition research against Kennedy, who may draw support from Trump's coalition due to his embrace of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. The Biden campaign is aware of the potential impact of outsider candidates and plans to educate voters about the consequences of voting for them.