Democratic fears grow over third-party candidates

Democrats are raising concerns over efforts to recruit third-party candidates in 2024 amid fears they could take votes away from President Biden’s reelection. 

The bipartisan group “No Labels” has been working toward building the foundation to launch a “unity ticket” to run as an option separate from Democrats or Republicans as polls show a rematch between Biden and former President Trump is likely. And Cornel West, a progressive activist, became the first relatively well-known third-party candidate to enter the race.

The developments come as polling shows Americans souring on the prospect of a Biden-Trump rematch. A NewsNation/DDHQ poll released this week found 49 percent of respondents said it was somewhat or very likely they would consider voting for a third-party candidate in 2024 if Trump and Biden were the nominees. 

Meanwhile, an NBC News poll released last month found 70 percent of Americans said they did not want Biden to run for president next year, while 60 percent say they do not want Trump to run for president in 2024. 

“It’s almost universal,” said former Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), who is involved with No Labels. “People are just saying ‘350 million Americans, can’t we have a different match?’”

Biden and Trump have been grappling with their separate sets of issues as they embark on the 2024 campaign cycle. Biden, 80, and Trump, 76, have both faced questions over their age — particularly Bid...