Jill Stein’s GOP Backers: How Republicans Are Betting on Splitting the Left

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A Not-So-Grassroots Effort

Jill Stein, former Green Party candidate, is once again in the political spotlight. But this time, it’s not just because of her campaign. It’s about who’s behind her. What was once seen as a grassroots effort is increasingly looking like a GOP-funded strategy aimed at dividing the left. Evidence shows that Republicans are playing a significant role in helping Stein get on the ballot, especially in key swing states.

This isn’t just speculation. It’s backed by a trail of financial reports, legal connections, and political tactics.

GOP Dollars Fueling Green Party Efforts

Over the years, the Republican Party has quietly funded Green Party efforts. In 2010, it was revealed that a GOP-linked firm paid over $500,000 to gather signatures to get Green Party candidates on the ballot in Texas. Fast forward to 2024, and the same tactics are playing out, but with a sharper focus.

Stein’s campaign has been receiving indirect support from conservative groups and individuals with ties to the GOP. One example is New Hampshire, a swing state where Republican operatives are actively working to get her on the ballot. This isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s a well-orchestrated effort to pull votes from the Democratic Party.

Republican strategists believe that a strong third-party candidate like Stein can siphon off enough votes from the left to make a difference in close races. Their goal isn’t to see Stein win. It’s to see the Democrats lose.

Legal Teams with GOP Ties

Another layer to this story is the legal support Stein and other Green Party candidates are receiving. Many of the lawyers representing Green Party interests have strong ties to the GOP. In 2020, reports emerged showing that some of the Green Party’s legal teams were also representing Republican counties that opposed the inclusion of the Green Party on ballots.

This crossover isn’t a coincidence. By controlling who gets on the ballot and when, the GOP can strategically use third-party candidates like Stein to weaken Democratic turnout. The Green Party, while ideologically distant from Republicans, is becoming a tool in their electoral strategy.

Supreme Court Rejections and GOP Persistence

In Montana, Republicans spent over $100,000 to get Green Party candidates on the ballot during the 2020 election. Despite this, the Supreme Court rejected the GOP’s effort to restore Green Party candidates to the ballot. While that particular case didn’t go their way, it highlights the lengths Republicans are willing to go to ensure Green candidates are present in key states.

Google Trends Report: (The) Green Party Searches in the United States

This is part of a broader pattern. In Pennsylvania, GOP donors funded the entire Green Party drive, covering expenses that would otherwise be difficult for a third-party candidate like Stein to manage. It’s clear: Republicans are banking on splitting the left.

Cornel West and the Green Party: Déjà Vu?

Jill Stein isn’t alone in this effort. Cornel West, another prominent left-wing figure, has also received backing from GOP-linked operatives. Just like Stein, West’s presence on the ballot could divide progressive voters. This tactic of propping up left-wing candidates isn’t new, but it’s gaining steam as the 2024 election approaches.

With both Stein and West drawing attention, Republicans are doubling down on their strategy. The goal is simple: peel off enough votes to make a difference in tightly contested states.

What’s at Stake?

Why would the GOP invest time and money into candidates like Stein? Because in swing states, even a small number of votes can tip the balance. In the 2016 election, some political analysts argued that Stein’s candidacy cost Hillary Clinton critical votes in states like Michigan and Wisconsin. While Stein herself disputes this, the data shows that third-party candidates can and do affect election outcomes.

Republicans see an opportunity to weaken Democratic chances by supporting candidates like Stein, who attract voters that might otherwise vote for the Democratic nominee. It’s a calculated risk, but one they seem willing to take, especially in an election that could be as close as 2024.

A Tactic That Keeps Coming Back

The strategy of funding left-leaning third-party candidates isn’t new. But with increasing polarization in American politics, it’s becoming a more prominent tool in the GOP’s electoral playbook. Jill Stein’s Green Party candidacy is just one piece of this puzzle. Whether or not it will work this time remains to be seen.

However, it’s clear that the GOP sees value in splitting the left, and they’re investing significant resources to make it happen. From legal teams to petition drives to behind-the-scenes funding, the Republican Party is all-in on using Stein to their advantage.

In the end, it’s a high-stakes game of political chess, with Stein as a crucial pawn in the GOP’s strategy to weaken the Democrats. Whether this tactic will pay off in 2024 is yet to be determined. But it’s something voters on the left should be aware of before they cast their ballots.