Is this the year of the third-party candidate? Political pundits are questioning the move with the rise of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (D). Moreover, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin (D) is allegedly mulling over a presidential run, which could end up helping Republicans in the 2024 race.
Senator Manchin embarking on a presidential run could prove fatal to Democrats for numerous reasons.
This week, Sen. Manchin spoke to voters at a No Labels forum at St. Alselm College in New Hampshire, saying that he has no intention of being a “spoiler” in the upcoming 2024 presidential race.
For starters, if Manchin enters the 2024 race, it could pull votes away from President Joe Biden (D). According to polls that show both Senator Manchin and Dr. Cornel West (I), a Republican candidate would be at an advantage with voters in contrast to a third-party candidate not being in the race.
The two Republicans vying for the nomination are President Donald Trump (R) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), who’ve been feuding since before the conclusion of the 2022 midterm election.
Sitting with former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman (R), Manchin slammed the degradation of bipartisanship in Washington D.C., arguing, “I’ve never been in any race I’ve ever spoiled. I’ve been in races to win, and if I get in a race, I’m going to win.”
Despite his legal woes, Democrats view President Trump as a threat in the race, and with the first Republican debate scheduled for August, pundits will closely watch if support for Trump will continue to flourish.
The Republican Party of Florida also announced that it had gained over 500,000 registration advantage, ensuring that Florida has become even more Republican than it was before.
“We’re here to make sure the American people have an option” said Manchin, mirroring a similar approach that Florida Rep. David Jolly (I) had taken years ago by flirting with the idea of running for lieutenant governor of Florida with Florida Rep. Patrick Murphy (D).
