Former 2016 Green Party candidate Jill Stein is the latest political figure to enter the 2024 election, adding to what is already shaping up to be a chaotic presidential field that could bring problems for President Joe Biden.
Stein, who many blame for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's loss in 2016, is now setting herself up to be a similar thorn in Biden's side, particularly as the president is already facing tough reelection odds.
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Since the 2024 election season began, Democrats have fretted over the entry of long-shot candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Green Party-turned-independent challenger Cornel West, and Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN). The latter's presidential bid has drawn heavy criticism from national Democrats, particularly lawmakers who are unsure whether Phillips's campaign will help or hurt Biden.
Biden may also see a bipartisan challenge coming his way. The wave of retirements from the Senate has sparked speculation as to what Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Mitt Romney (R-UT) will do next. The Draft Romney Manchin Committee filed with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday and plans to make an announcement as soon as next week, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The group is reportedly pushing for the pair to run as a unity ticket backed by No Labels. Manchin and Romney have been considered top contenders for the organization's independent initiative, as both senators garnered national name recognition for their willingness to break with their own party on key points.
No Labels's third-party efforts have recently drawn the ire of Democrats. No Labels has gained national attention in recent months as it seeks to find centrist or third-party candidates who could make up a ticket for the 2024 election. The group says it hopes to provide alternatives to Trump or Biden for voters who do not want to see a repeat of 2020.
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Some Democrats worry that third-party tickets will aid the GOP and help elect a Republican president, particularly if the nominee is former President Donald Trump. Other Democratic allies have pointed to historical evidence that third-party candidates typically do poorly in general elections.
No Labels has gained access to ballots in Arizona, North Carolina, Florida, and Nevada — four of several battleground states that are the focus of both Democrats and Republicans. The organization has denied accusations from Third Way and Democratic allies and lawmakers who say No Labels's efforts will aid the GOP in 2024.