In Phoenix, Democrats are investing around $500,000 in a final effort to convince voters in crucial states to turn away from third-party candidates Jill Stein and Cornel West, suggesting that supporting these candidates could inadvertently aid Republican Donald Trump. The Democratic National Committee announced on Monday that they will launch digital advertisements on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, primarily aimed at younger voters and college students. These ads feature footage of Trump from a June rally in Philadelphia where he expressed admiration for both Stein and West, remarking that they appeal to a certain voter base and can draw votes away from the Democrats.
Having faced disappointing outcomes in the 2000 and 2016 elections, which they attribute in part to the influence of Green Party candidates, Democrats are making a concerted effort this election cycle to dissuade progressive voters from backing third-party options. They have challenged the No Labels movement—a budding third-party initiative—and the independent candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., before focusing their attention back on Stein and West.
Jill Stein, who was the Green Party nominee in 2016 and secured 132,000 votes across key states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania—where Democrat Hillary Clinton lost by a total of only 77,000 votes—has shifted her campaign this year. She has worked to expand the traditional pro-environment appeal of the Green Party by vocally opposing Israel and its military actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and other regions. During a recent event at a coffee shop in suburban Phoenix, her critique of Israel and stand in favor of Palestinian rights comprised a significant portion of her message.
Stein encouraged her supporters not to succumb to the pressure of choosing the “lesser evil” in the election between Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris, labeling both candidates as “genocidal” due to their positions on Israel. She reinforced the importance of advocating for what one truly desires in a democracy, stating, “We have to vote for what we want,” and emphasized that voting for either of the leading candidates entailed significant risks while promising no real benefits.
Her campaign manager, Jason Call, was particularly forthright, stating, “We want them to lose,” referring to the Democratic candidates, and critiquing their stance as a threat to democratic principles. He articulated a sentiment of urgency, suggesting that the ramifications of electing another Democrat might surpass those of a Trump presidency, expressing the belief that “genocide deserves losing” while acknowledging that “nobody wants Trump to win.”