In the upcoming 2024 presidential election, Joe Biden and Donald Trump are the two major party candidates, but a number of other individuals have thrown their hats into the ring. While these candidates may not have a realistic chance of winning the presidency, they could significantly impact the race by drawing support away from the Democratic and Republican nominees.
One such candidate is Robert F Kennedy Jr, the nephew of former President John F Kennedy. Known for his anti-vaccine activism, Mr. Kennedy initially sought to run as a Democrat but later launched an independent campaign, criticizing the two major parties as a “two-headed monster.” Despite facing challenges in getting on the ballot in all states, polls show that he may be drawing support away from both Biden and Trump.
Another candidate to watch is Jill Stein, a 74-year-old activist and physician who ran as the Green Party’s candidate in 2012 and 2016. Stein advocates for an “economic bill of rights” and vows to fight climate change, defend abortion access, and transgender rights. While unlikely to garner a significant portion of the popular vote, she could still play spoiler to Biden’s re-election hopes in a close race.
Cornel West, a 70-year-old activist and academic, has also entered the race with a socialist platform. West has criticized both Biden and Trump and could pose a threat to Biden in crucial swing states like Michigan. However, he is currently on the ballot in only three states and is struggling to raise funds.
Overall, these independent and third-party candidates may not win the presidency, but they could have a significant impact on the outcome of the 2024 election by drawing support away from the major party candidates.