Libertarians could spoil Republicans’ chances in the fight for control of the US Senate
Third-party candidates could draw enough conservative votes to swing razor-thin Senate contests and reshape control of the chamber, strategists said.
- Republicans worry Libertarian candidates could siphon votes in consequential U.S. Senate elections this year, potentially costing them control of the chamber. Officials are particularly concerned about Texas, Ohio, and Kansas.
- Strategists cite unhappiness with President Donald Trump's expansion of executive power and an unpopular war with Iran as reasons some conservatives are considering protest ballots. These issues grate on the anti-establishment American right.
- In Texas, Libertarian Ted Brown is challenging Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic nominee James Talarico despite spending only $7,000 on advertising versus roughly $390 million by major candidates combined.
- To counter Libertarian gains, the Enough Promises Ohio PAC received $2.5 million from the Conservative Americans PAC to distribute fliers promoting a socialist candidate, an apparent effort to pull support away from Brown.
- Former Ohio state lawmaker Gene Krebs, working to diminish spoiler candidates, warned, "Libertarians, we believe, could draw enough votes to affect the outcome in a number of these races." His concern reflects broader GOP vulnerability.
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Clarin
Independent EspañolRepublicans fear that libertarian candidates will cast crucial votes in Senate elections in Texas, Ohio, and Kansas. Disapproval of Trump and issues like the war in Iran could push the protest vote toward the Libertarian Party.In Texas, libertarian Ted Brown seeks to attract disgruntled voters with Attorney General Paxton, while in Ohio and Kansas, the effect of third parties could tip the balance into tight contests.
Trump's unpopular war with Iran and expansion of executive power—two issues that irritate the anti-establishment sector of the U.S. right—could gain support for the Libertarian Party's message of foreign non-intervention and limited centralized authority.
The Toronto Star
Libertarians could spoil Republicans’ chances in the fight for control of the US Senate
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republicans are worried that Libertarian candidates could siphon away votes in some of this year's most consequential U.S. Senate elections, potentially costing them control of
Associated Press News
Libertarians could spoil Republicans' chances in the fight for control of the US Senate
Libertarian candidates in highly competitive U.S. Senate races could play spoiler in a year the Senate majority hangs in the balance.
Discontent with Trump and questioned Republican candidates could turn the libertarian vote into a protest with electoral consequences.
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