Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and other Democrat governors from key battleground states are begging voters to not support Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein.
The Washington Examiner reported that Shapiro and other Democrats claim that backing Stein could undermine democracy and inadvertently boost Donald Trump's chances against Kamala Harris. This comes as many leftist voters are considering voting third party to punish the Democrat Party.
Shapiro, alongside his counterparts Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan and Tony Evers from Wisconsin, participated in an interview broadcast on ABC News' "This Week."
Shapiro labeled voting for Stein a "wasted" opportunity, claiming that democracy is at a critical juncture. He expressed his alignment with the Democratic National Committee’s efforts to highlight Stein's role as a potential spoiler, through billboard campaigns in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
He voiced concerns that Stein could siphon away crucial votes needed for Harris to triumph over Trump in these decisive regions. With Trump leading in major swing states, Democrats cannot afford to lose votes to third party candidates.
The discussion with the Democratic governors also touched on economic and leadership dynamics influencing voter sentiment. Whitmer criticized Trump's leadership, pointing to the shuttering of six auto plants in Michigan and the loss of jobs as evidence of his policies' failure.
She described Trump as a "charlatan," disputing his claims of strength with evidence of economic weakness under his administration. The focus remained on motivating voters to take action, with Whitmer urging tangible efforts over passive discontent.
Evers addressed Wisconsin's economic landscape, affirming that the state's prosperity did not stem from Trump's policies. He emphasized that Wisconsinites were experiencing economic gains independent of the former president's influence.
Polling data between October 4 and October 19 showed Harris maintaining a narrow advantage over Trump nationwide. Yet, Trump holds sway over Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, illustrating the uphill battle for the Harris campaign.
Shapiro expressed confidence in a Harris victory, though acknowledging the race remains tight. He reiterated the call for active participation in the electoral process, signifying determination rather than fear in approaching the upcoming election.
Echoing this sentiment, Whitmer reinforced that the election will be hard-fought. Her call to action was clear: apathy must be countered by engagement and effort.
The strategies discussed by Shapiro, Whitmer, and Evers illustrate a unified front among Democrats, emphasizing the significance of every voter decision in shaping the country's democratic landscape.
But Shapiro and his Democrat cohorts aren't addressing the fundamental issues that are driving leftist voters to support third party candidates like Jill Stein.
Throughout the discussion, their remarks highlight an urgent focus on mobilizing votes from critical swing states, warning of the potential consequences of straying to third-party candidates like Stein.
Of course, some leftist voters want to see those consequences realized in order to force the establishment Democrat Party to evolve.
