Cornel West to run as independent, forgoing Green Party run

Presidential candidate Cornel West is no longer running under the Green Party banner and will seek the White House as an independent candidate, adding to Democrats‘ fear of the impact of third-party candidates in the 2024 election.

West announced his decision to switch to an independent ticket on Thursday in a video posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

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“I’m running as an Independent candidate for President of the United States to end the iron grip of the ruling class and ensure true democracy!” West wrote in a post.

He attached a campaign video in which he attacked the two-party system, saying it “gets in the way” of ensuring that “the best of who we are as a people can be more manifest, can be more concrete, because the crisis is real.”

“People are hungry for change,” he said. “They want good policies over partisan politics. We need to break the grip of the duopoly and give power to the people.”

By leaving the Green Party, it remains to be seen whether West can gather the tens of thousands of signatures required to qualify for the ballot in crucial states. Without the infrastructure of a party, he will likely need to rely on grassroots volunteers for signature gathering.

“As Dr. West’s campaign for president grows, he believes the best way to challenge the entrenched system is by focusing 100% on the people, not on the intricacies of internal party dynamics,” West’s campaign said in a written statement. “Our Constitution provides for Independent candidates to gain ballot access in all states, and Dr. West has begun seeking ballot access as an Independent, unaffiliated with any political party.”

West’s campaign acknowledged that he would continue to share the Green Party’s “values and commitment to justice.”

“It is long past time to stop ping-ponging between Republicans and Democrats while millions of our friends and neighbors lack housing, health care, decent jobs, clean air, clean water, nutritious food, and a healthy environment,” the campaign said.

This is the latest hurdle for Democrats as many lawmakers and allies fear that a third-party candidate will take support away from Biden and aid former President Donald Trump in winning the presidential election in 2024. John F. Kennedy Jr. is also reportedly considering switching to an independent ticket and is expected to make the announcement next week.

Democratic-aligned groups like Third Way and MoveOn have slammed operations run by third-party organizations like No Labels, arguing that an independent ticket will secure a GOP victory. However, No Labels has pleaded with state Democratic leaders to cease any anti-third-party rhetoric or interfere with its attempts to offer voters an alternative candidate.

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No Labels has sought to open the door for a third-party candidate in several presidential elections. For the 2024 election specifically, the group hoped to provide alternatives to Trump or Biden for voters who do not want to see a repeat of 2020. They launched a $70 million campaign to secure an independent ticket in several states. No Labels has gained access to ballots in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, South Dakota, Colorado, Nevada, Alaska, Utah, Oregon, and North Carolina as of August.

The Washington Examiner reached out to Biden’s campaign for comment on West’s switch.