Disappointed that you’ll be choosing between Trump and Hillary on Election Day? A new grassroots organization might be giving you a third option. Better for America is an organization created in response to the historic levels of dislike for both major party candidates. Given the record-breaking levels of dislike for both Trump and Clinton, BFA sees an opportunity to provide an alternative candidate to voters in November.
BFA has achieved its first major ballot access victory in New Mexico, and the new organization is collecting petition signatures to pave the way for an independent candidate to be on the ballot in as many states as possible.
Only 25 states allow an organization to obtain ballot access before such an organization has identified an individual candidate. Better for America aims to have ballot access in 10 states by the start of the Republican National Convention on July 18, and in all 25 possible states by August (as per the Washington Examiner).
An independent candidate’s greatest opportunity lies with millennial voters, since we are the generation of voters least likely to be tied to a political party. Only 18 percent of millennials identify as Republican, but 48 percent of millennials call themselves political independents. A candidate outside of the GOP brand could reach out to these young voters who do not see themselves represented in either the Republican or Democratic Party.
All of this hinges, of course, on exactly who that candidate will be. The identity of this independent candidate has yet to be determined. Yet, BFA claims to have plenty of qualified and willing potential candidates. The Blaze reports (quoting BFA’s Executive Director, Anne Macdonald), “Better for America is aware of ‘dozens’ of congressmen, governors and members of the military who are either considering a presidential run or who are ‘ready to go tomorrow.’”
Though BFA claims to be entirely nonpartisan, its candidate will likely be right-leaning. BFA was founded by John Kingston, a conservative donor. Governor Christine Todd Whitman serves on its advisory board. Governor Whitman is the former GOP Governor of New Jersey, and the former EPA Administrator under George W. Bush.
Governor Whitman has been quick to distance BFA from the #NeverTrump movement. She said that a delegate revolt was unlikely to occur, and would still tarnish the GOP candidate’s campaign.
“I don’t think we’re gonna see a big revolt,” she said. “It’s a go no matter what.”
If you find yourself firmly in both the #NeverHillary and #NeverTrump camps, you may still find yourself with a candidate who earns your vote this election season.
