Jill Stein’s family has expressed a strong desire for her to withdraw from the presidential race. One of her two sons, who preferred to remain unnamed, told The New York Times that the family does not support her political endeavors. He mentioned that when Stein announced her candidacy in October 2023, they urged her not to run.
Despite her family’s wishes, the 74-year-old Green Party candidate is continuing her campaign, which many see as having little chance of success. Critics label her a “spoiler” candidate, particularly as she attracts support from Muslim-American voters in Michigan.
Stein is expected to appear on ballots in nearly all critical swing states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Arizona, with the exception of Nevada. This positioning has raised concerns among Democrats, who fear her presence could divert votes from Kamala Harris. Stein has a progressive stance and is fundamentally opposed to many of Donald Trump’s policies, yet her candidacy might inadvertently benefit Trump by drawing votes that could otherwise go to Harris.
Democrats are anxious about the potential impact of Stein’s run, especially as she appeals to voters critical of U.S. aid to Israel amid ongoing conflict. They believe that a shift of just a few thousand votes towards Stein in swing states could lead to a Trump victory. Trump himself has acknowledged this dynamic, expressing his approval for Stein at a rally, stating that she would take votes away from the Democrats.
In anticipation of the election, Democrats have launched a negative advertising campaign against Stein, including billboards in swing states stating, “Jill Stein Helped Trump Once. Don’t Let Her Do It Again.” While Stein did not run in 2020, she garnered nearly 1.5 million votes in the 2016 election, with her numbers in key states surpassing Trump’s winning margins.
Stein has refuted claims of her responsibility for Trump’s rise, yet she has received backing from a group called “Abandon Harris,” focused on ensuring the vice president’s defeat. The group’s founder recently stated that their aim is to hold Harris accountable for current grievances within certain communities.
While Stein acknowledges her controversial position, she contends that her motivations for running are more complex than merely siphoning votes from Harris. She expressed an understanding of why certain communities oppose Harris and Biden, suggesting that her campaign serves multiple purposes beyond those specific dynamics.