Democrats amp up efforts to block third-party candidate Claudia De La Cruz from swing state ballots

WASHINGTON, DC: The Democratic Party is reportedly trying to prevent a fringe socialist group’s presidential candidate from appearing on statewide ballots in two crucial swing states — underscoring the party's concern about the impact third-party candidates could have on the 2024 election, where every vote counts.

On August 8, Democratic operatives filed two legal challenges in Pennsylvania aimed at removing the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) from the ballot. The PSL, a far-left organization known for its staunchly anti-Israel stance, has put forth Claudia De La Cruz as its presidential candidate, with Karina Garcia running as her vice-presidential mate.

Democratic PACs mobilize to block third-party candidates

The effort to block the PSL’s candidates is being spearheaded by a political action committee called ClearChoice, which is funded by prominent Democratic donors, including venture capitalist Ronald Conway and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.

The PAC's mission extends beyond just the PSL; they are also targeting other third-party candidates, such as Robert F Kennedy Jr, who could potentially siphon votes away from the Democratic ticket.

According to insiders, the Democratic Party is deeply concerned that even a minor defection of voters to a third-party candidate could jeopardize their chances in a tight race.

"In a 50/50 race between [Vice President] Kamala Harris and [former president Donald] Trump, you don’t want anyone to be sucking even 0.2% of these votes. You don’t want to take a chance on anything," one Democratic insider told the New York Post on condition of anonymity. “You just can’t take any risks if you’re a Democrat.”

The PSL’s fight to stay on the ballot is not confined to Pennsylvania. A similar legal challenge is underway in Georgia, another critical swing state. However, Democrats faced a setback in this state when Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger ruled that De La Cruz had collected enough valid signatures to secure her spot on the presidential ballot.

De La Cruz, the PSL's presidential candidate, has criticized the Democratic Party’s tactics, accusing them of undermining democratic principles.

“The Democratic Party is afraid of democracy. Millions of people are looking for alternatives to the two parties that only serve Wall Street and the war machine, but by pursuing these lawsuits, the Democratic Party wants to deny them that choice,” De La Cruz told the Post.

The Party for Socialism and Liberation, though not widely known, has raised more than $235,000 to support its campaign. The party advocates for a radically different vision for America, including the nationalization of the 100 largest American corporations and the cessation of all US aid to Israel.

While the PSL does not disclose its membership numbers, it claims to have an organized presence in over 100 cities and towns across the United States.

Unlike the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the largest socialist organization in the country, the PSL has not succeeded in electing members to Congress. The DSA, which has over 77,000 members, represents a more established force within the American left.

In contrast, the PSL remains on the fringes of the political landscape, but it is still making its presence felt in the 2024 election cycle. The PSL has secured ballot access in California, Hawaii, Utah, Idaho, and South Carolina and is actively petitioning for access in more than a dozen other states.

Internet reacts to Democrats' attempt to remove Claudia De La Cruz from ballot

News of the Democratic Party's efforts to remove Claudia De La Cruz from swing-state ballots has sparked a wave of backlash on social media.

"The party of democracy strikes again," one posted on X.

"Siphoning too many Dem votes since their platforms are now the same," another offered.

"Can't have competition," a third user added.

"Sure, because #Kamunism is already on the ticket," someone else wrote.

"The scary part is that we have an actual communist a heartbeat from the presidency next to an ailing Joe. Terrifying," read a comment.

"Democracy is on the ballot!" another quipped.

Background of PSL candidates Claudia De La Cruz and Karina Garcia

Claudia De La Cruz and Karina Garcia bring extensive experience in grassroots organizing to their campaign. De La Cruz, a mother, educator, and community organizer, was born in the South Bronx to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic. She began her political work at the age of 13 and has since dedicated her life to advocating for working-class people.

Garcia, a Chicana organizer and educator, started her political activism at 17 and has led various campaigns on issues ranging from police brutality to immigrant rights.

Both candidates are outspoken critics of capitalism and systemic injustices, aiming to create political representation for working-class people. “We live in a society that wants to strip away the politics of the working-class people,” De La Cruz has said.

While the PSL’s chances of winning the election are slim—the party received only about 85,000 votes nationwide in the 2020 presidential election—the enthusiasm of its supporters is undiminished. Many back De La Cruz because they see her platform as more aligned with their beliefs or because they are disillusioned with the mainstream political options.

As the November elections draw near, the conversation around voting has increasingly focused on voter turnout, particularly among young Americans. A 2023 poll from the Harvard Kennedy School indicated that young Americans are less likely to vote in 2024 than they did in 2020.

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