A Controversial Connection
Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, has faced scrutiny for her perceived connections to Russian interests. Several reports, including from Politico, Newsweek, and the Democratic National Committee, reveal that Russian state-backed efforts gave her campaign an unexpected push. While Stein’s platform focused on progressive ideals and environmental concerns, evidence suggests that her candidacy was indirectly bolstered by Russian interference aimed at disrupting the election.
What did Russia gain from supporting Stein? And was she aware of this aid? Let’s break it down.
How Russian Ads Supported Stein’s Campaign
Russian state actors, particularly the infamous Internet Research Agency (IRA), launched a wide-reaching disinformation campaign on social media platforms like Facebook. These campaigns targeted divisive political issues across the spectrum, and Stein’s campaign benefited from this strategy. According to a report from Politico, Russian-funded ads promoted Stein in the later stages of the 2016 election. One of these ads read, “Choose peace and vote for Jill Stein. Trust me. It’s not a wasted vote.” This message, encouraging voters to support Stein, aimed to siphon votes away from Hillary Clinton, helping Donald Trump’s chances.
(POLITICO).
The IRA’s efforts were not only limited to pro-Trump content. They promoted Bernie Sanders, another candidate whose platform was appealing to disaffected progressive voters. Stein, however, received a specific boost after Sanders’ campaign had already ended, indicating that Russian actors saw her as a potential spoiler for Clinton.
(POLITICO)
Stein’s Moscow Dinner: A PR Problem
